Are you wondering how to interview or what to ask your web designer, web development or web hosting company during your selection process? We have listed some important basic steps below we hope will help assist you whether your project be small or large.
Step 1: Identify for yourself what type of project you have. It’s fundamental, but important.
- Brick and mortar business that needs a web site (new or revised)
- Service Business
- Membership or Organization
- Conceptual Idea
- Etc.
Step 2: After you identify what/who you are begin to list what you feel is important in a web designer.
- You want a web designer/developer you can meet with – looking for a local provider.
- You want a web designer/development company best qualified & experienced based on your project specifications. Out of state/country okay.
Step 3: Begin your search.
- Ask friends and other businesses who they use.
- Search the web based on your criteria – What is your first impression of the web designers website? This is key to getting a feel for their capabilities and their focus.
- Call and meet with more than one web designer or company
Questions to ask a web designer during your interview:
- How long have you been in business?
- Do you have a list of references?
- How large is your project portfolio?
- What type of websites do you design? – business, eCommerce, etc.
- Can I edit my website? Using CMS (Content Management Software)
- Will my website be mobile responsive?
- Projects requiring advanced coding a documented check on the developers capabilities is criticle.
- Is your “talent” educated in the field of web design or multimedia?
- What is your process?
- How do you price and schedule your projects?
- Do you host the website? Where are your hosting servers located?
- Do you host email?
- What type of payment options do you offer?
- Do you have a formal proposal or plan for every project?
- What makes you different from other web designers or web design companies?
- What can you do for me and my business or project?
- What type of supportive services do you offer? Such as Logo Design, Branding, Video, SEO, Paid Advertising.
Observations during and after your interview of a web designer or web design company:
- Is the web designer “Speaking your language or theirs”? Are they easy to communicate with or too technical?
- Are they listening to you and trying to understand your business?
- What’s the vibe when you walk in their office.
- Is the web team & staff welcoming?
- Did they answer all your questions clearly?
- Did you learn something?
You should walk away from your web designer interviews feeling confident, excited to get going, and that you learned something which may help your business expand. It needs to make sense and be within your budget.
There are many talented and capable web design, development and hosting companies to select from. Finding the right fit for you takes a little effort. Don’t stop until you find the right one. If you follow the steps above it will help streamline your process and get you off to the right start.
Of all the suggestions and steps above we believe it is most important to look at the web designers portfolio of work. Not just the clients, but look at the websites they built. Every page of a website is important!
