Choosing a website development agency can be quite daunting. With so many web companies around, you may be unsure of where to start looking and how to choose the right one for you.
To get you started, here's 9 top tips to help you find the right company for you, your business and your Internet strategy. If you require further information please get in touch and we will be happy to help.
- Firstly, check that the website company offers the type of services you require. This sounds obvious but technical competency can vary considerably from one agency to another. Some simply offer a website service as part of a more broad marketing, communications or PR service. These tend to either use a standard website design package which is quite limited or they will outsource the work to a website company and charge you a margin. If you want a website specifically tailored to your needs that will ultimately improve operations and grow your business you will need a specialist website company that can offer a full service and has full in-house capabilities.
- Secondly, look for a company with a proven track record, who can show you recent examples of their work and are happy to provide you with references from current and past clients. To enquire about references for 9xb please get in touch
- Check that they adhere to industry standards. Do they have any accreditations? Check whether they can they advise you on best practice, emerging technologies and legal aspects of website design and development. Essentially you want a ‘future proof', compliant and accessible website. For example, 9xb have TMB accreditation, Club UK online platinum membership and are SBS registered. In addition to our recognised expertise, we employ rigorous testing procedures to ensure your website works on all browsers, macs and PCs.
- The e-world can be confusing and full of jargon. Choose a company that uses plain English, read our jargon buster to give you a head start, and is up front and honest about what they can and can't do for you.
- Once you contact a website design agency, they will undoubtedly suggest a face-to-face meeting in order to find out more about you and your business objectives. This is a good opportunity to meet the people and see if you like them. We'd recommend that you ask to meet the people who will actually be working on your website – the designer and developer, not just the account manager, this will give you a clearer picture of their in-house capabilities.
- The more you help the designers the more successful your website will be. The briefing stage is vital to the overall success of your internet strategy. Be clear about your objectives for developing or refreshing a website. Who you want to target? What you want to tell them? And what you want them to do?
- Show the designers any existing marketing communications or company literature so the design can be consistent with your overall corporate identity.
- Check who will ultimately own the copyright to your website. Be careful, as some companies will own the copyright and this makes it more difficult for you to go to another company and should they go bust they could sell the rights of your website as an asset of their business. Others, like 9xb, release the copyright to you on final payment and then it's yours to do with, as you like.
- Finally, ask about payment terms. Typically you will need to pay a small deposit to commission the work but other than this you shouldn't pay for work that hasn't been done. At 9xb we usually only ask for a further payment on launch of the site and then for the remaining payment thirty days after this.
So what next? Get in touch for a free, no obligation consultation or continue reading to find out more about us or our services.