Why Do You Need a Website Developer?
If you run a business you have likely been told that you need a website. It makes sense since the Internet allows your business to reach customers it could not otherwise. However, you may not understand why you need a professional web designer to do it for you and you may wonder what does a web designer do?
A professional web designer ensures that your website makes an excellent first impression. Without that, people will arrive, take a look at your business online and immediately exit. The average quality of websites has been improving for years and people’s expectations have risen accordingly. If you cannot compete, your business will struggle.
Choosing the Right Web Designer
Before you are able to choose the right developer, find one that meets your requirements. Ask yourself the following to narrow the field.
What is Their Service Area?
When you need web designers in Brisbane, the first thing you need to check is that the company you are interested in caters to your type of business. The requirements for startups, SMEs and large organisations are completely different. They also need to demonstrate that they are familiar with the particular niche that you are occupying or they will not deliver a suitable user experience.
How Experienced are They?
Do not let yourself be fooled by a dazzling sales pitch. You need a development company that has real experience. This is shown through an extensive portfolio which needs to demonstrate an understanding of the latest trends. Another test is to check their blog. Industry leaders are not afraid to show off their knowledge and will blog about it accordingly.
How Dependable Are They?
The greatest web development company in the world is no different from the worst if they do not do the work agreed. Look for recent reviews to get a feeling for their current status. Do not forget to check what people are saying on social media while also checking more formal review spaces.
Will They Meet Face-to-Face?
Part of finding web designers in Brisbane means finding people you can actually talk to. It may seem cheap or easy to outsource overseas but there are hidden costs. Chief among them is the breakdowns in communication that inevitably occur in purely digital interactions. Face-to-face meetings are the best way to communicate your concerns and ideas while getting a feeling for the type of company you may be about to hire.
Will They Meet their Milestones?
Developing your website is not a case of requirements turning into a working product with an indeterminate time in between. There have to be milestones along the way so that you can make sure that development is staying on track. They are the best way to catch mistakes or unforeseen issues early enough that they can still be remedied. So when you are outlining the project with your development company, make sure they are willing to set clear milestones that cover as many steps of the project as possible.
Will You Get Complete Website Ownership?
This is non-negotiable. Once complete, you need to make sure that your website is truly and wholly yours. Small web design and development tasks will occur after development ends and there is no point continuing to pay someone else to do what you can. This also lets you switch developers at a later stage if necessary without having to start from the beginning. This grants a vital measure of independence and there is no substitute for it.
About The Author:
Caroline Bird is a creative writer and digital marketer. She loves sharing her perspective, tips and how-tos related to home improvement, productivity, business, and technology through her writing. Connect with Caroline via @bCarolinebird12