We’ve now got a list of referred web design businesses and also maybe one or two you’ve found yourself that you liked. Next up is a bit of background research on the websites of the companies themselves. Do the colours work, is the information you require within three clicks of the homepage and easy to find, does the navigation work well? On any of the pages do they have dead links that point to nowhere, is the text, image and general layout clear and easy to view or read? Are there any spelling mistakes? See their portfolio and have a good nose around their recent work for other clients.
You should now have a good idea of what you like, and are ready to contact them. Maybe an email as first contact is a good idea, asking for a call back, and/or following up with a telephone call – choose whichever you feel most comfortable with. Are your communications returned promptly and how responsive are they as a business? Most businesses do try to get back to you within a day or two, but we’re not watching the minutes. Print out a sheet for each company with the most important questions you can think of, and leave room for notes – you’ll be thinking of plenty of questions as you speak to your prospective web design companies over the phone or via email. It pays to make as many notes as you can during your conversation for later comparison.
Now you should be armed with some reasonable facts distilled from your research. It’s very easy to feel as though you’re not getting anything done, that you can’t see any progress, or your site isn’t being built, or that it’s just plain, drab and boring. But these steps are as critical as any others to ensure your project ends up being a success, not a financial liability.
Quick Tips:
Research the provider’s website for the following:
- easy to navigate?
- dead-end links?
- spelling mistakes?
- layout in general clear?
- do you like their portfolio?
- do they get back to you swiftly when contacted?
- are they helpful?
If you would like some advice on your website design requirements? Give us a call, we’d love to assist with your project.
Lloyd Roberts | 123 Web Design Bournemouth
Bournemouth Web Design
http://www.123webdesignbournemouth.co.uk
Tags: choosing, companies, comparing, web design