How to Choose Web Designers for Small Businesses

In many cases, visiting your website is the first time a new customer ever interacts with your business. You want to make a strong first impression! Otherwise, they could leave, costing you a potential sale.

In fact, 38% of people leave a website that’s unappealing.

Instead of leaving a bad taste in their mouth, create a strong first impression. A new website can help you wow customers and draw them in. You’ll need to choose web designers you can depend on, first.

Here are the seven tips you need when looking for web designers. With these tips, you can find someone with the right experience and expertise. Their talents can help your website shine!

Start your search for a designer with these seven tips today.

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   Lots of Experience

First, it’s important to find someone with years of web design experience. People learn by doing. You don’t want them learning the ropes while working on your website.

Instead, ask how long they’ve worked in web design.

Choosing a long-standing web design agency can give you an advantage. A team with plenty of experience will know exactly how to help.

Ask if they have experience designing websites for other companies in your industry. If they do, they likely already understand your target audience. You’ll want to make a website with your distinct customers in mind.

After all, different audience groups have different needs and expectations.

For example, a senior citizen will likely look at a website differently than a student in Gen Z.

Designing a website with your customers in mind can help you appeal to those needs and wants. You can show consumers you have exactly what they’re looking for, without them having to ask. Then, you can direct them straight toward a conversion opportunity.

If the company doesn’t have experience in your industry, that’s okay. Ask about their process instead.

It helps to find a web designer who takes the time to understand your business. Who are your customers? What goals are you trying to achieve with your website?

If the designer doesn’t ask about your business, you could end up with a cookie-cutter design.

2. Well-Rounded Expertise

If you want to choose web designers capable of creating a wow-worthy website, ask about their expertise. Web designers wear a lot of hats. Choosing someone with well-rounded expertise can help you create the best possible website.

For example, does the designer know anything about mobile optimization?

Creating a mobile-friendly website is essential if you want to reach customers. In fact, over 5 billion people around the world use mobile devices. If your website appears wonky on a smaller screen, visitors might leave.

It can impact your search engine ranking and pay-per-click (PPC) advertising, too.

If you’re focusing on search engine optimization (SEO) this year, look for a company that understands user experience (UX) web design. UX design encourages people to stay on your website longer and click around.

A higher dwell time and clickthrough rate can benefit your SEO ranking.

3. The Right Services

Are you looking for a web designer, web design agency, or marketing company? If you need more than one service, look for designers who can offer what you need.

For example, you might need someone who understands SEO and PPC. They can help you design landing pages with lead generation in mind.

Are you only redesigning your website, or do you need fresh content as well? In that case, look for a company that offers content writing services. Fresh headlines and call-to-action language can help you draw in new customers.

4. References and Reviews

You don’t have to choose web designers who rave about their own services. Instead, ask for references and reviews.

Read reviews from multiple services. Get a full-picture view of the designer and their abilities. Reading reviews can help you learn about their web design experience and expertise.

If you decide to speak with some of their previous clients, ask about their website project. Was it everything they hoped for? If they were disappointed, keep looking.

5. An Impressive Portfolio

You can also learn about a designer’s expertise by looking at their portfolio.

Make sure their previous projects meet your standards. If the websites they’ve created look behind-the-times or low-quality, keep searching.

Did they create a website for a company within your industry? Ask to see it. While exploring the site, make note of elements you like and don’t like.

You can use these notes to decide how you want your own website to look.

6. The Right Price

Comparing design costs is an important step in the process. Make sure the website suits your budget.

Is one designer offering a far cheaper price than others? There’s a chance they’re desperate for clients. It could also mean they lack experience in the industry.

Make sure the price suits your budget and speaks to the designer’s high-quality services.

Otherwise, make sure to thoroughly review the contract. If you have any questions, ask.

Did you agree on something over the phone? Make sure it’s in writing.

Review the payment, refunds, and deliverable sections as well.

7. Time It Right

When do you hope to get your new website up? If you have a specific deadline, it’s important to make sure the designer can meet it.

For example, maybe you want to go live in time for a big, upcoming event. Perhaps you have a blowout sale you want to advertise.

If the designer can’t deliver, look elsewhere.

Start Your Search: How to Choose Web Designers You Can Rely On

Your website should wow customers and reel them in. By learning how to choose web designers for your site, you can find a team that’s up for the task. Find the best designers available with these seven tips today!

Looking for more ways to boost business this year? We can help.

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