Navigating the multitude of web design agencies out there can be time consuming when you don’t know what you’re looking for.
Here are some tips on how to find a web design agency that can deliver a business website that drives enquiry through your door.
To design a website that serves your business as well as possible, it’s vital that the account managers and designers understand your business almost as well as you do.
1. Look for an agency that asks questions
You might have a lot of questions you want to ask your web design agency before bringing them on for your project, but be prepared to answer a lot of questions yourself. To design a website that serves your business as well as possible, it’s vital that the account managers and designers understand your business almost as well as you do.
They need to know what your objectives are, who your customers are, what you want to achieve and the functionality you need to be present on the site. An agency that asks you a lot of questions means they’re trying to get the information they need to do the best possible job.
2. Find a team that understands the user experience
Your web design agency needs to intuitively understand how to create a positive experience for visitors to your website. Good website design, as our Creative Director Scott Bloomer points out, it’s not just about making things look pretty on the page; it’s also about being strategic.
The design of your website needs to be focused around your visitors, directing them to the information they need in the minimal number of steps possible. This requires a deep understanding of UX design and information architecture.
3. Approach a full service agency
Ideally, you want the people who design your website to build it as well. This way, you’re not losing anything along the way; everyone working on your project will understand exactly why decisions have been made and what needs to happen, and the process will be a lot smoother.
A web design agency that also offers web development and digital marketing services will be able to handle everything you might need. It’s much easier to work with one team than with multiple agencies and contractors. An added bonus is if the team you’ll be working with are in-house, meaning they work together in the same physical location. When an agency outsources a lot of work to overseas contractors, communication can be difficult and things take longer to get done. You want a team that can do it all and collaborate closely on a daily basis.
“You want a team that can do it all and collaborate closely on a daily basis.”
4. Find an agency that can deliver exactly what you need
Every website is unique, and yours will have certain requirements that differ from other businesses. If you need people to be able to buy products off your website, for example, ensure your web design agency has solid experience designing e-commerce websites. You might want to look for an agency with experience designing websites for other businesses within your niche industry.
To find out if the agency has the expertise you require, ask for evidence of previous work they’ve done. Most agencies display case studies on their website, but if you can’t see any simply ask them to provide some.
“Every website is unique, and yours will have certain requirements that differ from other businesses.”
5. Find people who want the best for your business
Not only should you be looking for a web design agency with the expertise to deliver your project, but a team of passionate people who are dedicated to helping you and building long-lasting, meaningful relationships. At the end of the day, business is all about people.
Every website is unique, and yours will have certain requirements that differ from other businesses.
Now that you know what to look for, there are some key things to ask any web design agency before bringing them on board.
Questions you should ask your web design agency:
1. Are your designers knowledgeable in UX design and information architecture?
2. What information do you need from me to be able to put together a proposal?
3. Are you a full service agency? What other services can you provide?
4. Is your team in-house, or do you outsource to overseas contractors?
5. Do you have experience designing websites like mine?
6. Could you provide me with some case studies of websites you’ve designed that would be similar in style or scope to mine?
Take your time when choosing a web design agency; rushing into the first option you see might not necessarily end up being the best decision. Consider your requirements, have a conversation, and get a feel for whether the agency would be a good fit. Then, you can forge ahead with clarity and confidence.
We work with some of New Zealand’s best enterprises to design websites that engage and deliver results.
To find out more about how we can help you, get in touch with our team.
