For so many people their first question in their search for finding a web design company to create a new site for them will be ‘ Do you have any web design packages?’ When I’m asked this question and tell them ‘No we don’t operate that way’, I can hear the frustration in their voice. Usually they have rung 10 or so other web companies they’ve found on Google who all offer some sort of package deal in an effort to compete. There is nothing wrong with offering a package but thorough and proper web design should not be bundled up and sold like a cheap holiday package to Bali or the snow. Websites need to be properly briefed in and the project needs to be scoped out. Marketing advice and website usability needs to be incorporated, competition analysed and target market identified before any design can begin. All of these factors are critical and are overlooked by the mass of web companies who tout their $395 for a full web design package. These guys are out for the quick buck, a churn and burn, production line mentality that will take your money and run. You will be treated like a number, not as a valued client, never have calls returned and be totally dissatisfied with the end product: a web template that does not address your business needs.
I cannot emphasise this enough before you choose a web design company to work with you PLEASE have a very close look at their portfolio of work and ask your self these questions:
1) What does their website look like? Does it have a personality, a brand? Or is a simple showcase of work to make a sale?
2) What is the portfolio of work like? Do all the sites look relatively the same but with a different logo and colour scheme? If this is so, how are they going to treat your site and how will it stand out from your competitors??
2) Do the sites they have on their portfolio link to real businesses and live sites? Sometimes examples of work can be designs, but not for REAL clients. Lack of experience in dealing with the actual business world and the driving needs of any business can effect the end results.
3) Does the site include a video? Be wary of web companies that use the same actor on several different sites. This screams of formula solutions – the quick and easy approach rather than custom and unique. It’s one thing to be sold a package, but it’s imperative that the solution works for your business.
5) Does the company have a physical office and can they be contacted? If they have only have a 1800 number and an email enquiry form then customer service is not necessarily a priority. They may be hard to get in touch with or perhaps not even running a full time business.
So hopefully all this makes sense and will help you in deciding what web company to use when embarking on what is a very important decision: a website for your business.
If you would like any other information or would like to chat about anything I have written here please call me (Steve) on 02 9360 8514 .
