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These days it’s a well known fact that any business – big or small, corporate or home-based – needs a website to survive in today’s competitive market. The demand for stunning, state-of-the-art websites is growing exponentially, and the number of companies out there that claim to have the knowledge and experience to build you one is infinite. Finding the right company to build your website can be as difficult as finding a needle in a haystack. The best way to find the company you need is to ask questions. Don’t be shy. Any worthwhile company will be more than glad to share the inner workings of their business with you. These days, any amateur with a computer can call themselves a professional web designer. The only way to tell the difference between a kid on his computer and a real professional design firm is by digging into their business and finding out how things work. Here is a list of 10 important questions to ask any design firm before using their services. Remember, a real design firm will be completely open and helpful when it comes to telling you about how their business works. 1. Industry. Have they built websites for your industry before? If not, they may not realize exactly what kind of website you need, and you might end up paying for a website that doesn’t include the necessary technology and doesn’t attract the right audience. 2. Portfolio. As a rule, ask to see their portfolio. If they don’t have one, or they refuse to show it to you for any reason, walk away. If they do have one, look over it carefully, checking for design styles you like. If their overall portfolio doesn’t appeal to you, find other options. Don’t settle. 3. Price. Do they charge by the hour or do they charged a fixed rate for your entire project? Unless a company has a trustworthy reputation, be wary of companies that charge by the hour, as this gives them the opportunity to over-charge you by spending too much time on simple projects. If they charge a fixed rate, make them walk you through every detail so you know exactly what you’re paying for and why it costs that much. 4. Search Engine Optimization. Search Engine Optimization (SEO) gives your website a chance to rank high in search engine results. Any company that guarantees your website a spot at the top of search engine results is lying to you. Google itself doesn’t have that kind of power. Ranking high in search engine results is a long, careful process. However, there are a number of simple steps that can be taken to quicken the process. 5. Size. How many employees work for this company? One or two? Or are there several different people contributing their own expertise in the process of creating a successful website? When you have one or two people wearing too many hats with too many responsibilities, the end product tends to be a bit sloppy. Whereas, if your project is given to someone who only creates the design, or only integrates the database, then you’re going to have one hell of a design with a database that functions exactly how it’s supposed to without any problems in the future. 6. Location. Where is this company located? In a corporate office or some guy’s mother’s basement? A corporate office entails professionalism, multiple employees, face-to-face consultations, a good reputation and overall success. 7. Technology. What kind of technology are they using to create your project? Are they using a WYSIWYG program, or do they hand-code it from beginning to end? If they’re using a WYSIWYG program, chances are your website will never be indexed by search engines and will break apart within the first month. A company that knows how to hand-code your website and validate it with web standards also knows how to keep your website from having any problems in the future. 8. Communication. Do you as the client have any say in how your project is created? Any company that doesn’t reply with a resounding YES! should be abandoned immediately. Be positive that this company will communicate with you on the status of your project throughout the entire process. Never just assume they know what they’re doing. Ask questions. Be informed. Stay updated. 9. Design Services. When a company tells you they offer web design services, do they mean pre-made templates or custom designs? Pre-made templates can be beautiful and functional. However, if your needs stray even slightly from the template’s boundaries you run the risk of paying for something that doesn’t do you any good. Using a template for your project also means there are other websites out there, likely in the same industry, that look exactly like yours. By hiring a design firm that offers custom designs you are guaranteed a website designed specifically for your company and is completely unique from all other sites. 10. Upkeep. Will they still be around to answer your questions and update your website after the project is finished? Professional design firms will always be around to take care of your investment afterwards, especially if they provide hosting services. If you’re worried about your design firm disappearing after you’re done paying them money, make sure you get all the rights to your website so you can take it to someone else to update for you. Protect yourself from amateurs by asking questions. The trouble it may cost you in the beginning of the process is nothing compared the trouble you could be in after paying hundreds of dollars to a scamming company that never intended to give you anything in return.
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