How to hire the right web design firm

With hundreds of firms offering web design, search engine marketing and custom programming services, how do you select the right company for your project? It all begins with research.

1 - Evaluate your needs

Decide what skills and services you will need from your firm. List these on paper and keep them accessible when you are researching and talking with prospective firms.

2 - Assess the firm’s skills and experience

You would never hire a painter to repair a leaky faucet, so why would you hire a friend that understands a little bit of HTML. Useful sites go beyond basic web design. The value of the skills and services rendered is really what’s important. A $500 web site usually turns out to look, feel and perform like a $500 web site.

3 - Determine who completes the actual work

Companies may choose to outsource their work to freelancers or programmers in other countries such as India. If your project requires frequent maintance or changes often, you will probably wish to use a local company. (Go ZapIT projects are completed in-house. You always have direct access to your web design team.)

4 - Seek firms that focus on customer service

There is nothing worse than working with a firm that only offers primarily email contact. Consistent, open contact by phone and face to face meetings with your web design firm is important for ensuring success before, during, and after your project is developed.

5 - Review the portfolio

If you are pleased with the results that they have given to past clients then there is a great chance you will like the design they create for you.

6 - Check for references

Checking references can be done through reading testimonials
or asking for a list of clients and contact numbers. Contact the references and ask them about added-value services provided of the firm. Did the firm deliver as promised?

This selection and hiring process may seem like a lot of work, but when you are placing your reputation and credibility in the firm’s hands, it pays to do your homework. You should feel confident that the web design firm you hire knows what they’re doing and is willing to explain what they’ll do to your site and why.