Choosing the right website development company can mean the difference between a successful launch and a website that misses the mark. Of course, there are so many platforms that make it easy to launch a website within an hour. Platforms like Shopify, Squarespace, and WordPress allow the average person to simply choose a template and modify it to their needs. But the truth is, launching a successful website is easier said than done. There’s so much more to creating an online presence than modifying a template.
That’s why many individuals and companies choose to hire website development companies. Website developers are well-versed on how to create stunning pages that align with your branding, wants, and needs. They’ll save you plenty of time and the end result will be an optimized, aesthetically pleasing, and user-friendly website.
However, there are thousands of website design companies out there. Sifting through them all would be impossible, but you can narrow down your choices by gaining a better idea of what you’re looking for. With that in mind, here are a few tips on how to choose the best website development company for your project.
Contact Numerous Candidates
After you’ve shortlisted a few potential candidates, it’s important to reach out to each of them. Think of this like an “interview.” As you speak to each company, you’ll describe exactly what it is you’re looking for and get a quote on costs. Each company should describe what their process is for designing a website and give you a timeline of expectations. This also helps you gain a better understanding of how afable the company is. And what their communication style is like.
You can also ask about the technical skills that the team specializes in. For example, are they familiar with Docker registry, Helm, Java, and DevOps? Depending on the type of website you’re developing. Your needs might require specialized skill sets that it’s important for your hired company to have.
Review Work Portfolio
It goes without saying that the first thing you want to do when evaluating potential website design companies is to check out their portfolio. Take a look at how other websites were designed and make a note of the qualities you like most about them. What do their client websites have in common? For instance, if you run a lifestyle website, does the company in question have experience designing several lifestyle websites, or do they specialize in a different niche?
In addition to viewing live websites, check several sites in the company’s portfolio to get hands-on experience with usability. User experience is vital to your website image. How easy is the navigation to understand? Is moving from one page to the next or finding information you’re looking for a seamless experience? Are there any broken pages? Take your time sifting through your website to see if there are any inconsistencies.
Check Reviews and Recommendations
Naturally, one of the first things you want to do before you move forward making any purchase—whether it’s a product or a service—is look at online reviews and recommendations. A simple Google search is usually where people start. You’ll be able to see Google and Yelp reviews that will give you unbiased perceptions about how previous clients feel about the developer’s services and skills.
You can also ask for direct recommendations from previous clients. For instance, let’s say ABC Web Development Company worked with Lifestyle Co and features the finished product in Web Development Company’s portfolio. You can reach out to Lifestyle Co directly and ask them about their experience. This gives you upfront, relevant commentary on how the prospective website development company is likely to perform. Keep in mind that you should not only ask them about how happy they were with the finished product. But how communication was and how easy it is to ask for modifications and alterations.
Lastly, Clutch. co is a great website that focuses specifically on reviewing development companies, including web design companies. Each review features transcripts of interviews from previous clients. And provides you with detailed insight into what it’s like to work with that particular company.
Also Read: Why Learning Programming and Web Development Is Great For Your Career?
