10 August 2010
Hi Rebecca,

There are so many answers you'll get for this one and you could always visit the WWDC articles pages as there are plenty of different takes on it from various companies on here.

copy and paste this link to get there http://www.whichwebdesigncompany.com/uk/articles/choosing-a-website-design-company

Or click on Resources & Articles and navigate to "Choosing a Website Design Company "

I suppose when it boils down to it
Can you trust them to do a good job for you?
Do you feel comfortable after a conversation putting your business website in their hands?
Can they prove to you beyond a shadow of doubt that they are focused on making your site everything it can be for the budget you have available?

So like any good purchase you have to have all your objections answered and feel good about choosing them, then you'll know you've got the right company for you.

If you know other business owners that have had a website done talk to them about their experience. This should tell you some of the lessons they learned good or bad and that should help you as well.

Hope that helps!

10 August 2010
Hi Rebecca

That does seem to be the golden question, and the answer above is a great one.

I would say in addition to the above, the key points would be to have a look at a companies website and check they have the following:

- A good list of completed websites. They don't all have to be a shining beacon of outstanding beauty, sometimes the client just wants something really simple, but a good collection will show their experience and variety.

- W3C certification on all work they do. A company that will certify their work to these standards is always a good idea. Though not essential, it does make sure your website adheres to professional quality guidelines, a bit like how manufactured items would adhere to BSI standards before being sold.

- Testimonials. Do they have them openly displayed with verifiable references?

I hope this helps.

Many thanks

Toby Gunston

11 August 2010
Hi Rebecca

I would say look for someone who is interested in your business and what you are trying to achieve. Try to find a designer with a business development background who can steer you in the right direction and create a website that supports your overall business objectives. Remember, a website isn't a stand alone item. It should form part of your overall plan.
You then need to be able to work/get along with them and they need to be able to provide the right level of site to fit in with your business needs and budget.

Best of luck with your search.

Steve

16 August 2010
Hi Rebecca

That

23 August 2010
I'd take a look at their portfolio first. If a company's creating designs you like, then you'll be happier with the results.

Of course, the other points made in this thread are all still very relevant.

26 August 2010
Hi Rebecca ,

It depends what are you looking to develop, design etc. I would say to see what the company is specialized in and check their portfolio to see that what you need is already done by them (or at least something similar).

Make sure they have enough experience and they know what they are talking about. If not, you might have surprises.

You want to know more let me know, I can guide you around.

tina@ekentros.com

27 August 2010
I'd agree with "Website Design Tenerife" - look at a companies portfolio. if you like what you see then more than likely that company will have a set of very good website designers and developers. if you think a portfolio is average then that firm will have average designers. simples!

and dont go for the cheapest as you really do pay for what you get!

I hope that helps you!

31 August 2010
Find a web design company that specialises in producing the type of website you require. For example, if you want t an online store find a company that produces online stores day in day out. Then ask for links to online stores that they have produced.

1 September 2010
Look for other sites they have created and ask for testimonials from there existing customers. One good way is to look at if they still service the clients who they have built the site for.

There are many things you need to consider before creating a website. It needs to look great or people will feel uncomfortable and leave, but if the main focus is just on its looks then the site might lack in visibility. We always have a meeting that can take 3-6 hours discussing the pros and cons all aspects of the site in this meeting will be the designer, programmer, coder and SEO expert. Not just one professional as the designer will always go with the pretty sites the SEO only thinks about visibility and the key is to have a functional site that is inviting with well written content and has the architecture that has potential for great visibility. Its a trade of that gets as much as possible form all areas.

Hope this helps.

Justin Bridges

JB Creative Marketing

1 September 2010
Thank you to everyone who has responded. I posted an article based a lot on your overwhelming feedback:

How To Choose A Web Design Service

The business market has become overwhelmed with web design service providers. Since the 1990s when the dot-com craze emerged, web designers and web design shops have flourished. Today, the growth continues as web design companies continue to dot the landscape of our fast-paced business world.

According to the highly recognized Denver Business Journal, of the top 50 Denver businesses to achieve fastest growth from 2007 to 2009, twelve
were web design companies. These companies recorded amazing growth rates of 68 percent to 515 percent. With so much growth and so many choices, it has become more difficult to discern which web design service to hire. With this in mind, it is important to understand how to sift through the choices.

Evaluate the Web Design Service Website

As a client begins to search for a provider of internet web design, it must find a way to narrow down the competition. First, a web design service must have a professional web site. The company's website should be well-written, easy to navigate, and attractive. In particular, it should demonstrate their experience in search engine optimization through keyword-rich content. Furthermore, the web design service's website should communicate the company's individual style, versatility and organization. More importantly, these qualities should be apparent in the company's existing work samples indicating excellence in applying their expertise to the online scene.

Investigate the Web Design Service Experiences

Next, it is time to dig deeper into the attributes that make each company stand out. Look for a web design company who communicates versatility in design and an understanding of style. This provides an advantage in developing corporate standards while enhancing the desired brand image. A company should also illustrate a clear and organized process in which to bring your project to completion. Testimonials, Case Studies and references are an excellent way to identify this skill.

Finding a web design company that balances all three attributes indicates an operation that will provide the stability for long-term projects, and the creative power for branding the next big success. Keeping an eye out for these attributes will certainly accelerate the decision process, but it is also important to consider the size of a company.

Consider the Size of a Web Design Company

Web design companies come in all sizes, from a single freelancer, to a collective of designers, to the in-house specialty group of a large corporation. A freelancer is an individual who will work one-on-one with the client and may offer a wide range of skills. This is a cost effective way to maintain a small budget. However, time constraints may warrant the upgrade to a collective. Their success will likely be attributed to having a small in-house design and technical team, along with an arsenal of virtual team members at their disposal. Take this configuration as a sign of professionalism and see it as greater access to just the right solution. The latter two considerations, however, may best be left to short timelines. If the web design project is extensive and expected to run more than 6 months, consider hiring a larger corporation that can buffer the client

3 September 2010
We have written an articles called "7 Costly and Potentially Dangerous Mistakes People make when Choosing a Website Designer"

It's FREE to download at www.7mistakes.co.uk

8 September 2010
Hi Rebecca,

There are many long-long theories but if you like simple answer:

1) Pricing
2) Quality of work done so far
3) Beauty of the work done so far

(shortlist and call them all up)

4) Describe via phone what you need and see how comfortable you feel and how professionally you'll be taken through the conversation.

Cheers,

Kaspar

21 September 2010
I have a client at the moment that chose us using a filter criteria.
He got 8 companies to quote and initially filtered out the ones that were over budget.
Of the rest he simply asked why they should get the job.
Of the ones that came back with answers he liked he picked 2 of us whose work portfolio was the closest match to his project.

I think an important thing to remember when chosing a company is they must be able to dempnstrate they can do the job you are awarding.
If you go to a company with an ecommerce project and they have mainly done static websites they are probably not the right company for you.

10 October 2010
Look in their portfolio, have they made the kind of site you are looking for before?

Location, it can be good to talk face to face with the company.

Cost, going for the cheapest is not really a good idea (they are cheap for a reason) on the other hand beware of companies charging overinflated prices.