How to Choose a Web Design Company
The web design and development industry is a very competitive field these days. Many people with no formal training call themselves web designers, doing it for fun or as a hobby. Web designers that do their work full time or to make a living are probably better at what they do. Make sure your web designer has some formal web design training from a recognized school under their belt.
Relevant Experience
The website design company you choose for your project should have experience relevant to the type of site you need. If you need an ecommerce website, it’s best to choose a designer who has ecommerce websites featured in their portfolio. If you need a website for a specific business such as real estate, see if the company has similar websites in their portfolio. This will ensure that the company has the relevant experience to deliver your wants and needs.
Types of Websites
There are many different types of websites like ecommerce, Flash, websites that have their own content management system, etc. The best way to understand what type of website you need for yourself or for your business is to have a meeting with the web designer to discuss your options. You may like the way Flash websites look, but they may not necessarily be the most practical way to go for your specific needs. Take note of websites on the internet that you like, and show them to the designer. You might even want to sketch a couple of pages if you’re thinking of something specific. This will give the designer a better idea about what you’re looking for, making it easier for them to give you an accurate proposal and a completed project close to what you had imagined fromt he beginning.
Factors to Consider
Does the website design company have a package that includes updates and future edits? Unless your website is strictly brochure-like featuring only static information and content, you will need to update your site from time to time. Inquire about the price of updates and maintenance after project completion if it isn’t included in a package. This should be taken into consideration before even beginning the design process, because what good is a new website if it can’t always be updated and refreshed with new content?
It is also important to consider the deadline set forth by the company. The deadline goals should be realistic when it comes to designing a quality website, so if it sounds too good to be true then it probably is.
Some website designers have their own style and preference when it comes to types of sites. If all you see are Flash websites in a company’s portfolio, it may not be wise to go with them if you’re seeking a search engine friendly website.
Finding a Website Design Company
You may start by searching locally for companies in your area, such as “glendale website designer” or “los angeles website design.” Another great way to find a website design company is to find websites that you like and look for a link on the bottom of the page or info on the contact page of the site. At Arpi Design we proudly represent local business in the Los Angeles area including Glendale, Burbank, Pasadena, North Hollywood, Van Nuys, Sherman Oaks, etc. We also serve clients on the national level, but we love to see our local business thrive online. Let us know how we can you help you and your business!