Tips for Selecting the Right Web Design Agency for Your Website Build or Redesign

As Lewis Carroll so "If you don't know where you are going, any road will get you there." The problem is you may end up somewhere you don't want to be. Understanding what you want to build and why is crucial in choosing an agency to partner with.

There are some basic foundational things that every website should be able to do and every company needs such as responsive design which simply means your website will adapt to different screen sizes (mobile portrait, mobile landscape, tablet portrait, tablet landscape, laptop, and large screens) since having a good experience no matter what device a person uses is often paramount to people making the decision to use your website. If your website cannot adapt to the newest technology, it’s time for a redesign.

Your website needs to load fast and provide a great user experience. It should be easy to navigate for the site visitor and have a nice design. All of these things are easy to research by viewing the agency's work but not all agencies are made of the same stuff and making the decision of who to work with can feel overwhelming. 

That is exactly why we put this article together. Here are the top things we suggest looking for when deciding on an agency to partner with to achieve your marketing goals.

It is always safer to choose a business that has been around for a while. To be fair there are probably many new agencies that will do great work but there are some things that only experience in the field teaches. Working with a brand new agency can be hit or miss but many times these newer agencies will offer competitive pricing and work hard because they are trying to prove themselves. This can honestly work in your favor if you find a good new agency that has a strong work ethic and is hungry to prove they're the best and build a solid reputation. If you are not wanting to roll the dice then choose an agency with a proven track record.

The company should have a great reputation and be willing to give you references you can actually contact so you can find out what it is like working with them on a project. Not many companies will do this, but we do. Clients that are willing to take time out of their busy schedules to talk about how much they love and have benefited from their marketing agency is a sure sign that the agency will be a quality partner in it for the long haul.

This may seem obvious but it is important to see samples of their work. Make sure you like their design aesthetic. Pay attention to the user experience. Is the site easy to use? Is it organized well? Is it easy to find what you’re looking for? If you feel lost, or overwhelmed, or if things feel busy, or if you simply don't like their designs you should look elsewhere. Be sure to check using different browsers and devices. If they do a great job designing for desktop but the experience on mobile or tablet is not good then you should find a different agency to work with.

This may seem obvious but it is important to see samples of their work. Make sure you like their design aesthetic. Pay attention to the user experience. Is the site easy to use? Is it organized well? Is it easy to find what you’re looking for? If you feel lost, or overwhelmed, or if things feel busy, or if you simply don't like their designs you should look elsewhere. Be sure to check using different browsers and devices. If they do a great job designing for desktop but the experience on mobile or tablet is not good then you should find a different agency to work with.

Most web design companies can build a nice-looking website, but they should also know how to build websites that drive conversions and cause people to take action. The company you choose should have a seamless approach to user experience that will nurture the leads that come in and turn them into long-time clients. Having a team that understands brand strategy and marketing and how all the pieces come together is an effective tool in developing a productive website.

The company you choose should have a team of good listeners, taking your ideas and offering their own so that there is an atmosphere of collaboration. They should be highly creative, keeping up with the latest design trends and tools; they should be problem-solvers, thinkers, and learners that love what they do. It’ important that you like and trust the team because you will be working with them personally. A great test is to set up a meeting to discuss your website. Take some time to share about your company and then ask them some questions to see if they are good listeners or do they try to talk over you. Are they interested in what you have to say? Do they make you feel rushed? If they are good at what they do they should ask you about your goals with your website and not just offer you a canned approach.

The company you choose should have developers that can code basic sites as well ecommerce and complex custom web development. They may utilize open source such as Wordpress or Joomla! but can they also code solutions when there is not something that works out of the box or a plugin or extension has not already been developed. Working with an experienced team means you will come away with a site that can grow and expand as you grow and expand.

A quality web design agency will know how to secure your website and the server it is hosted on. Keeping your website secure is extremely important. This is important for your customers and establishing trust. Nothing is worse than a website that gets hacked and compromises your users data and puts yourself and others at risk.

The company you choose should be detail oriented, taking the time to explain the project clearly and can and will get back to you quickly when you contact them. The team working on your project should establish goals, measure progress and understand and plan for the “Big Picture”. Clear communication should be a top priority.

There is no doubt that hiring an agency will cost more than hiring a freelancer or someone who builds sites as a side hustle. Not all agencies are the same so the price point can vary significantly from agency to agency. Some agencies outsource development and can offer cheaper rates while others have developers in house. Some agencies have a combination of in house developers as well as remote developers and also teams they regularly outsource work to when their in house team is at maximum capacity. If you are considering an agency that outsources development this web designing outsource article brings up some interesting points on the pros and cons. Understanding the budget you are working with and all the special features you require (wish list vs necessities) will save all parties involved time and allow the agency to come up with the best solution to reach your goals.

Every business has different needs and goals. Choosing the right web design agency will help you come away with an effective marketing tool that will help you reach your target audience, substantially increase your conversion rate, and help lead your business to greater success.

Need help with your website? Contact us today to learn more about web builds designed with intent that communicate effectively and convert.