We should be using our blog to extoll our own virtues, to sell ourselves, and promote our own business. But we’re not like that. Sure our websites sell themselves, but we want clients to be comfortable working with us and to have confidence in us. To that end, we’re going to share some trade secrets with you and tell you how to spot a good website design company when you see one.
If you’re a client looking for a new website, a redesign, or something else, you know there is a lot of choice out there. Unless you’re technologically minded, it can also be very confusing. Use these tips to tell you if the company you’re talking to is going to be a good fit.
First and foremost is how the designer relates to you. If it’s a small company, chances are the owner will also be designer, programmer and developer too. If it’s a larger organization you may be assigned a designer as your point of contact.
Is the time with them enjoyable? Informative? Productive? Does the designer give you confidence in their abilities? Do they how you real life examples of their work on the internet, not just locally hosted ones? Website design is a collaborative process. It means you’re going to be working together during the project, so you need to be able to work together.
Every website designer or studio is only as good as their results. This is what you’re really interested in. While other factors may be important, such as budget and timescale, it’s the result that matters. If you don’t think the designer in question can deliver, move on.
Most web designers are good at making attractive websites, otherwise they are in the wrong business. But, how do the sites work? Are they easily navigable? Do they make sense? Are they logical? Will your visitors be able to use the site to quickly find what they are looking for?
While aesthetics are very important in any design, it is second to functionality. If a site is difficult to navigate, or a visitor can’t find what they are looking for in a couple of seconds, the design has failed. It doesn’t matter how great it looks.
The most important skill any web designer has to possess is the ability to listen. We need to be able to collect enough information to be able to interpret what you’re looking for and make it a reality. Only you know your business, your brand, and where you want to go. We have to paint a picture of all that for the website. If the designer can’t listen, he can’t do that.
Finding a great web designer is as much about who they are as what they can do. With the best skills in the world, they don’t add up to much if they can’t deliver what you want. If your experience isn’t a good one, word will spread and work will soon dry up. It’s as much about being a good person as it is about being a good designer.





