Launching your new website - part 3
posted 28th January 2019
Launching a new business website or getting a re-design of an existing one can be very daunting. To help with the process we've put together a series of short articles to help you be prepared and to help make sure you make an informed choice when selecting your website designer.
Questions to Ask Website Design Companies
Asking the right questions is important when making a decision on which website design company to work with. It's often hard to know where to begin and what are the most important things you need to ask. Below we have put together a checklist of the questions we think you should ask when getting quotes.
Is the web designer based in the UK?
If quick and easy communication is important, a UK based team is probably better for you.Often very low prices are achieved by outsourcing the design and/or support overseas. Check where your designer is located and ask how easy it will be to speak to them if you need to discuss anything.
What marketing help do they include?
Getting your website built is only really part of the story when looking for your website to be successful . After your website has been produced it is good to know what support is in place. The marketing of your new website is a key part of maximising it's potential. Ask about what ongoing support is included and if they include serach engine optmisation.
What are the ongoing costs, including costs after the first year?
Every website has ongoing costs and so there will always be some sort of ongoing fee. It's good to check what these will be in the first year and if it is the same for the years to follow. For example sometimes hosting is included in the first year but you have to pay extra after the year ends.
Will the website be mobile friendly?
A mobile responsive website is important. A mobile responsive website is one which adjusts its layout depending on the screen size it is being viewed on. This means mobile and desktop visitors all get a great experience. Your website will probably receive at least as much traffic from mobiles and tablets as it does from desktop computers. Ensure that your website has a 'responsive design'. This is also an important search engine ranking factor.
How long has the web designer been in business?
Finding out about a company's history can give you confidence in their service. Check how long the company has been in business. You might see a great deal from a very new company but you run the risk that their untested business model may fail leaving you in the lurch.
What are their reviews like?
This is more of a research question then a direct question to your potential designer. Search Google for 'Reviews about...' or 'Complaints about...' this could save a lot of pain in the future.
This article forms part of a sequence of articles regarding launching your new website. Visit our blog to view the latest parts as soon as they are available.