Website service provider ? A well-designed website is one of the most important investments your company can make. It attracts interest, generates demand and captures valuable leads. In fact, over 70 % of buying decisions are made before the customer even contacts you or enters your shop. If your website isn't performing optimally, you could be missing out on a lot of business opportunities.
Today, most potential customers start their buying journey online, whether via Google searches or YouTube videos. They carefully analyse their options, comparing you to your competitors. Once on your site, they seek confirmation that your company is credible, trustworthy and capable of meeting their needs.
When the prospect fills in a form, makes a call or visits your shop, their decision is almost taken - the sale is yours to lose.
If you're thinking of redesigning your site to take advantage of this customer behaviour, it's essential to choose a web designer who can position you for lasting success. Based on our experience with many agencies, both good and not so good, here are five essential questions to ask before signing a web design contract:
1. What does the Website Service Provider's site look like?
Start by visiting your potential service provider's website. Pay attention to how it looks and works. Ask yourself these questions:
- Does the site inspire credibility and trust?
- Are there broken links, slow loading times or out-of-date elements?
- Is the site well referenced on Google?
- Is it responsive (adapted to mobile phones), easy to navigate and visually appealing on both computers and smartphones?
- Are there any spelling or grammatical errors?
- Can you easily find their contact details or means of engagement such as a newsletter sign-up form?
If the site doesn't impress you, that's a red flag. A poorly designed site by a web designer is a clear indicator that it may not meet your expectations. Don't hesitate to explore other options if you're not convinced by what you see.
2. What are you really paying for with the "Website service provider"?
A professional website goes far beyond its appearance. In addition to design, elements such as messaging, SEO, page speed, content structure, mobile responsiveness, and lead generation strategies play an essential role.
In the world of web design, you often get what you pay for. Opting for a cheap solution today can cost you a lot more in the long run. Site builders like Squarespace, Wix or Weebly are great for quickly launching a simple site, but migrating from these platforms to more robust solutions like WordPress can be costly and time-consuming.
If you need a short-term site for a campaign, a builder may suffice. But for a long-term solution that will grow with your business, platforms like WordPress or HubSpot are a better investment.
3. Does the designer understand sales and marketing?
Your website is your main sales tool - it's online 24/7, working tirelessly to generate leads. So it's crucial that your web designer understands not just design, but sales and marketing too.
A site that focuses solely on aesthetics, without taking sales strategies into account, will probably require a complete overhaul down the line. Make sure your designer knows how to balance design and functionality. Here are a few essential elements he or she should master:
- Web development and coding
- Graphic design
- Content writing
- SEO (Search Engine Optimisation)
- Analytical monitoring
- CRM integration
- Lead generation strategies
- User experience design
- Photography and video production
If your designer lacks skills in these areas, consider hiring a project manager who does.
4. What is the lead time?
Creating or redesigning a website should not take six months. Most projects can be completed in 6 to 8 weeks. Be sure to ask how much actual development time will be devoted to your project and how long you will have to wait behind other clients.
Also ask when the project will start, and demand frequent updates throughout the process. Don't settle for a 'big reveal' at the end - stay involved at every stage to make sure the project is on track and meeting your expectations.
5. Does the service provider offer a turnkey solution?
Finally, check whether the web designer offers a complete end-to-end service. Do they manage everything in-house, from creative services like photography and video to copywriting and SEO? Or do they outsource certain parts of the project?
Also make sure you retain ownership of key elements, such as your domain name. If a designer wants to buy your domain for you, that's a red flag - you should always be in control. Although you can buy your own hosting, many designers offer hosting services, which can make your life easier.
Conclusion
Over the years, we've seen what works and what doesn't when it comes to website design. A good website doesn't just look good - it works as a powerful sales and marketing tool for your business.
If you're ready to launch your website project but don't know where to start, contact us. Let's discuss how we can help you create a site that grows your business.
