Web design is not our expertise, but here are some tips we have learned through having our own website built that might be useful to those creating or re-designing their company’s website.
Statistics show that websites play a vital role in small businesses’ visibility; 70 percent of U.S. households now use the Internet when shopping locally for products and services, but in 2012, 49% of sites failed to comply with basic usability principles and 50% of online sales were lost because visitors could not find content.
Picking a savvy web designer will help your company’s website thrive, so here are a few questions and tips for selecting a designer.
- Experience – Find out how long they’ve been designing/how many web pages they have built, and review a portfolio of their work. Do they specialize in certain styles, industries, or sizes? A wide range of experience with various company sizes may help them understand your needs as a small business.
- Technical, not just visual – The job of a graphic designer is to make the site look great. The job of a programmer is to make the site work properly. Both aspects are critical for a successful webpage. A good programmer will also make sure your page is functional in all popular browsers and test your site’s compatibility on smartphones.
- Search engine optimization (SEO) and visibility – Since visibility is one of the most important reasons for building a website in the first place, you will want a designer that understands how to set up your site and utilize search engine optimization strategies to help future customers find you amongst the myriads of other businesses out there.
- Maintenance and updates – Do you want your designer to handle the maintenance of the page, or do you plan to do this yourself? If you are inclined to do it yourself, ask how complicated it will be. If your company will be receiving payments or orders from your website, find out what processing company they use and be sure to have a plan in place for maintenance if something goes wrong later.
- Design, layout and logos – If your company does not yet have a logo, ask your designer if they do logo design. (A consistent, unique, and concise logo is crucial to developing and strengthening your business’ brand and credibility.) Ask if they have design templates to help create a simple, streamlined site. (If your site is complicated, you will need a customized layout). If their portfolio contains styles or designs that appeal to you, ask about them as well.
- Mailing lists – Most websites have a way for potential customers to get on a mailing list. Building a client base will be greatly affected if you can gather a list of names and emails. Whether you opt for a pop-up or a sidebar, be sure your “subscribe” or “contact us” option is clear and easy to find.
- Compensation and follow-up – As with all services, find out ahead of time how and when they need payments from you – up front, partial, or payment schedule. Find out if they offer any guarantees, and determine how long you will have to review the site and if they are willing to make changes.
If you are in need of assistance in this area, contact us and we will be happy to give a referral to someone we trust.
