It’s a simple fact that everyone can have a web site, but not everyone can do web design.
Using Kim Komando, Leo Laporte, Lockergnome and HTMLGoodies will help you but there are other elements involved in web design outside of knowledge of code and how to use frontpage.
This is why it is important for your business to select a web design agency that knows what they are doing.
Here are three tips on how to make the best choice:
1. Does the business have a website?
It sounds like a stupid question, but I have heard commercials for web design services that only list the phone number. You can also find plenty of online ads where the only thing listed is a yahoo, hotmail or gmail address. Hiring one of these is like hiring an amish electrician, if they haven’t experienced your wants, how can they serve your needs.
2. How does the portfolio compare to the site?
You should never choose a design company based on their website. You need to delve deeper and view the designs in their portfolio. Some companies invest more time into their own site than the sites of their clients. Don’t judge a book by it’s cover.
3. How easy are they to find in the phone book?
This really shouldn’t matter. If you wanted a car mechanic, you wouldn’t look under the heading of personal injury attorney. You should be looking online for a web design company. The whole point of having a website is having people view it. If you can’t find a full service design agency through a search engine then how long do you think it will be before anyone finds you.
To some these may seem like common sense, but amazingly some companies are still in business because unsuspecting business owners don’t know what they are looking for.