What To Ask Before Hiring A Website Design Company

1. What steps are involved in creating a website?

Each website design company will answer this question differently. However, a typical project encompasses the following steps:

Step 1 - Planning Phase
Step 2 - Graphic Design Phase
Step 3 - Web Design / Coding Phase
Step 4 - Testing Phase
Step 5 - Launch Phase

2. What do I need to supply you to get started?

The appropriate response should be something like this: "I have an extensive questionnaire to go over with you which will help us to create a powerful Internet strategy that will optimize your return on investment."

3. What is your average turnaround time per project?

Depending on the scope of the project, most websites should not require more than two to three weeks from the commencement of the project.

4. Are your website designs created specifically for your clients or are they pre-made templates?

Many people are against using pre-made templates. Others don't understand why you would use anything else. A custom site will pay for itself. This is because a custom site is really the only way to truly and accurately feature the uniqueness of the company or service you're trying to provide. In addition, the programming code of a template may be years old and therefore may not perform as expected.

5. Can you show me websites that your company designed?

An established website design company will be able to provide references along with a portfolio of a sampling of its work.

6. Are your designs tested for multi-browser and cross-platform compatibility?

A website design company should at least create their websites so that the content and layout looks relatively the same on both Internet Explorer and Netscape browsers as well as other operating environments. Simply ask the website design company how and if they test to ensure consistency.

7. Will you find/supply images for my site?

In the absence of a client having actual images, a website design company would utilize stock photography. An experienced designer will have access to a large inventory of stock photography so that there is no chance of copyright infringement.

8. In addition to website design, do you offer web hosting and search engine marketing services?

Make sure the web design company offers these additional services in-house so that they that can take full responsibility for your website project at all times.

9. Do you offer maintenance training?

A design company should have in place a training curriculum to provide training to assist in maintenance of the website. Additionally, they should offer maintenance packages for updates to the website.

10. How long have you been in business?

Longevity is important as a service provider. You should choose a company that has been in business for a number of years and has established a reputation within the business community.

11. Is this your full-time job?

Many would debate on this issue; but we believe you're either an Internet professional or you are not. Part-timers in this business have other commitments that demand their time--at the worst possible times! Always work with full-time Internet professionals because they will be accessible when you need them.

12. Who owns the website once it is completed?

You should be sure that you own the intellectually property rights to the entire website which includes all programming, text and images, etc.