Denver Website Designs: Questions You’ll Want to Ask Before Hiring a Website Designer

A web presence is a crucial part of any small business. It not only gives potential customers information about your products and services, but it also enables you to gain respect and establish yourself as an expert in your field. If you are starting a new business and need to create a website, you are probably looking for a web designer.

Here are some questions you should ask while you are going through the selection process. Choosing the right website designer is going to be an important part of your business’s success.

#1—Will you offer an analysis of my current website before building a new one?

If you already have a website, It’s a good idea to ask any potential website designers to give you some feedback about it. This is a great way to learn about the designer’s thought process as well as their ideas. A website designer who is genuinely interested in helping you get what your business needs won’t lock you into building a completely new site if your existing site would work with some tweaking.

If you plan to import the content from your existing site to your new site, you’ll want to talk to the website designer about this process to ensure links and so forth are not lost.

#2—How will you research my type of business and my products and services?

You want to make sure you work with a designer who understands who your ideal customer is—then build your marketing strategy (including your website) is aimed directly at them. Good branding and effective website design mean your designer should do some research to successfully market your business.

#3—Can you design a quality website that is aimed at my ideal customer while still staying within my budget?

Budget is one of the first things you’ll want to discuss with a potential website designer. Some companies have packages listed on their websites, but some will require a custom quote that includes all the services you will need. Be sure to ask about all of the options the website designers offers to figure out which fit into your budget. Some website design companies offer web hosting, domain registration, plugins, and stock images, but they will more than likely charge you extra for these.

#4—What is your design process?

Ask your web designer if they use project management software or have a documented design process. Companies that do likely have some solid experience behind them, and you can expect the process to be very professional.

Ask who you‘ll be working with throughout the process—one single project manager or a group of people. Having one point of contact dedicated to your site makes it more likely that the project is being well managed every step of the way.

#5—What is the timeline for website design, development, and completion?

Schedules are important, and a web designer should be able to give you a timeframe for your website design project. Make sure their timeline fits your needs. It’s always a safe bet to add a buffer into the schedule for any unexpected issues that might pop up.

#6—Does the work happen in-house or do you outsource your projects to freelancers or agencies?

Some agencies provide web design and development services but they don’t do the work in-house. This can be helpful in some cases—or it can lead to communication challenges, project delays, and additional costs that you were not expecting. It’s best to know up front if your website designer will be getting support from outside sources.

#7—What do you need from me before we start the project?

Asking this question at the start of the project can help eliminate any delays. You don’t want to be scrambling around at the last minute looking for images, passwords, or content. Meet with your designer and get a list right away of everything they’ll need to get moving immediately.

#8—Who will provide the written content for the website?

Most web designers don’t provide the copy for the site; they will either outsource to a copy writer or they’ll ask you for the content. Whichever way you decide to go, make sure you have someone proofread the content so you don’t inadvertently put errors on your site. The content on your website is critical, so get it right the first time.

#9—Who should provide the images for the website?

You will likely be responsible for gathering images, graphics, videos, and brand materials (logo, fonts, and colors) for your site, and you might need to get a professional photographer if you do not want to pay for stock images. Find out about any extra charges you’ll incur if you end up using stock images; these costs might not have been included in your original quote.

#10— Do you build custom sites or use templates?

Web designers create sites differently. Some offer template designs, others offer custom websites, or some kind of combination of the two. It’s essential to know how your site will be developed because not all CMS platforms—such as WordPress—are made equal. Make sure to ask about the features that are offered on the platform they are using—especially if you have any particular needs.

#11—Is my website ADA compliant?

You are likely familiar with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), which was established to make all spaces accessible for those who have a disability. Websites are also covered under the ADA umbrella, so be sure to ask your web designer about their accessibility testing process. Your website should provide a good experience for all visitors.

If you are considering a new or updated website for your business, contact Denver Website Designs today. Whether your Denver business is local or national, we can create a beautiful, optimized site that appeals to your ideal customer. In addition to our website design services, we also offer the other services your business needs for success, including content marketing and blogging, email marketing, digital marketing, and database-driven web development.