Now that you want to get your product into the online world, it’s time to build the right website for your startup.
Choosing a web design company to build your small business’s website is an important decision that can make or break your online business. So, I’ve listed below some steps to help you pick the right web design agency or freelancer that specialize in building WordPress websites and boost your web presence.
Website Design Brief
Before looking for a web design and development company, think about what you want your website to do and who will be using it. Consider your business needs, the design style you like and any special features you want.
1. Why You Need A Website?
Do you need a space where customers can purchase your product? Or perhaps you need a blog platform to share your thoughts and expertise? Or, you need a place to showcase your professional portfolio?
Identifying the main functionalities you require will help you find a reliable web design company new you, that specializes in those areas.
2. Who Is Your Target Audience?
How will they be using your website? Are they looking for products or services? Are they seeking support or information? Take the time to understand your audience. Your chosen web agency will quickly create a website that caters to your customers.
3. What Design Style You Prefer?
It’s also essential to think about the design style you prefer. Do you prefer a clean and minimalist aesthetic, or do you prefer a more vibrant and colorful design? Look for examples of websites you like and make a list of the best web pages to provide inspiration to the web design company you choose.
4. List Web Development Features
It’s time to consider any special features you may need. This could include mobile responsiveness, integration with social media platforms, or the ability to schedule appointments or bookings directly from the website. Make a list of these features and ensure that the web design firm you select has experience in implementing them.
Take some time to think about these aspects before searching for a web design freelancer or agency. You will have a clear vision of what you want, making it easier to communicate with potential providers and find the best match for your specific needs.
Website Budget Estimate
Consider how much you can afford to spend on your website, but remember investing more in a good web design company who can make an excellent website for you is a safer choice.
Here’s an approximate range of prices for web design services, considering rates from both freelancers and agencies:
- Basic Website (WordPress website 3-5 pages):
- Freelancer Rates: Price Range: $1,500 – $8,000
- Agency Rates: Price Range: $3,000 – $15,000
- Business Website with Additional Features (WordPress website with contact forms, newsletter signups, links to purchase ebooks, e-commerce, user registration, blog):
- Freelancer Rates: Price Range: $4,000 – $15,000
- Agency Rates: Price Range: $8,000 – $35,000
The cost of hiring web design and development freelancers or agencies can vary. It depends on things like:
- website complexity and functionalities
- custom web design needs
- content creation and SEO optimization
To get an idea of how much it might cost for your project, you should check out the freelancer’s or agency’s previous work and talk to them about what you want. They can then give you a more accurate estimate based on your small business specific needs.
Just remember that rates can be different depending on things like the freelancer’s or agency’s experience, expertise, the size of the design team, where they’re located, and how well-known they are. Also, location matters, so you’ll most probably get different offers from a web designer in Malaysia, a web design company Los Angeles or a web design company Florida.
Keep in mind that the above prices are for design and development. Website maintenance and SEO are separate services that will require extra budget.
Find A Good Web Design Company
Research for top web design companies that fit your project well. You can ask people you trust for recommendations, look in online directories, and check out examples of their work to see if you like it.
You can look for a website designer near me or hire a professional freelancer for remote web design services. So, here are some steps to find the best website design companies:
1. Ask For Recommendations
It’s always a good idea to ask for recommendations from people you trust. You know, like your friends, colleagues, or even industry professionals who have recently had their websites designed or revamped.
Personal recommendations can be super helpful because you can get insider insights into things like how skilled the company is, how professional they are to work with, and the overall quality of their work. So don’t hesitate to reach out and get some valuable advice from those around you!
2. Look In Online Directories
Explore online directories that showcase the best web design agencies. These directories provide comprehensive listings of design firms, along with client reviews and ratings.
Here are popular directories to search for a top web design and development company:
- Clutch (clutch.co)
- DesignRush (designrush.com)
- The Manifest (themanifest.com)
- GoodFirms (goodfirms.co)
- Behance (behance.net)
- Awwwards (awwwards.com)
- CSS Design Awards (cssdesignawards.com)
- Sortfolio (sortfolio.com)
- Webflow Showcase (webflow.com/discover)
- Dribbble (dribbble.com)
In here you’ll find portfolios, reviews, ratings, and other helpful information about web design companies, making it easier to find a relevant design company for your business.
3. Review Online Ratings And Reviews
Research platforms like Google, Yelp, or social media sites to read recommendations, reviews and ratings. Pay attention to both positive and negative feedback to get a balanced perspective. However, remember that one or two negative reviews shouldn’t completely discount the website design agencies, but rather consider the overall ratings and trends.
Check Clients Testimonials
When you’re trying to find the best web design firms, it is helpful to check out what other people have to say about them. You know, like reading reviews and testimonials online. You’ll get relevant feedback from the people who have worked with those design firms.
By doing this, you can see if previous clients were happy with the websites these companies made for them and get an idea of how good their design and development services are.
So, it’s like listening to what others have to say to help you make a smart decision! Here are a few steps to find client feedback online:
1. Search For Reviews In Google
Go to google.com and search for the web design company’s name along with keywords like “reviews” or “client feedback.” This can lead you to websites or forums where clients have shared their experiences.
2. Visit Company Websites
Explore the websites of different web design companies and look for sections dedicated to client testimonials or case studies. If this section is missing, you may want to skip that web design company.
You can tell from this section whether the client was happy with the results or not.
3. Check Social Media Platforms
Some web design companies maintain a presence on social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, or LinkedIn. Look for posts or comments from clients who have worked with the company and see what they have to say about their experiences.
4. Utilize Review Websites
There are several review websites dedicated to collecting feedback about various businesses, including web design companies. So check platforms like Clutch, Trustpilot, Google Reviews, etc., look for the company you are interested in and read the reviews posted there.
5. Seek Recommendations
if you know someone who just got a website made, ask them about the company they hired! Personal recommendations can give you really helpful info about what it was like to work with that web design company and how things turned out.
When you’re reading what clients say about web design companies, remember that everyone has their own opinion. It’s important to consider different perspectives. Look for common things that people mention and how satisfied they were overall. That way, you can get a good sense of the reputation and reliability of the web design companies you’re checking out.
Check Best Website Design Work
When you’re checking out web design agencies, take a look at the websites they have made. It’s like going on a little tour! See if you like how the websites look. Are they visually appealing to you? Also, check if they work well. Can you easily navigate around the site and find what you’re looking for?
Check the websites on different devices, like phones and tablets. Is everything easy to see and use, even on smaller screens? This is super important because people use all kinds of gadgets to browse the internet these days.
So, take your time and explore the websites made by the web design companies. It’s like window shopping, but on the internet! Find the ones that catch your eye and feel easy to use on any device you have.
The Web Design Process
So, here’s the deal: not all web design companies are the same. They have different things they’re really good at. It’s like how some people are great at drawing, while others are awesome at playing sports. When you’re choosing a web design company, it’s important to find out what they’re skilled at and how they work.
Alright, let’s dive into the web design process, the step-by-step journey of creating a website:
- Planning: The web design process starts with planning. The web design company will talk to you to understand what you want your website to look like and what features it should have. They’ll ask questions and gather all the important information.
- Design: After understanding your vision, the web design company will create the design for your website. They’ll choose colors, fonts, create layouts that match your style and use a highly converting call to action button to take customers through your sales funnel.
- Development: Once the design is approved, the web design company will start building your website using special coding languages. They’ll write lines of code to make everything work. It’s like building the actual structure of your website.
- Responsive design: During development, the web design firm will create a responsive web site that will work well on different devices like phones, tablets, and computers. You’ll be happy to notice that people will easily use your website no matter what device they are using.
- Testing: Before your custom website is launched, the web design company will test it thoroughly. They’ll click around, try out different features, and make sure everything works smoothly. It’s like making sure there are no bugs or glitches in your well-designed website.
- Launch: Once everything is tested and ready, it’s time to launch your website! This means making it live on the internet. Now people can visit your web pages and see all the cool things you have to offer.
- Maintenance: Even after the launch, your website will need regular updates and maintenance. The web design company can help you with that. They’ll make sure your website stays up to date, secure, and runs smoothly over time.
- SEO (Search Engine Optimization): In addition to the web design process, it’s important to consider SEO. SEO helps your website rank higher in search engine results, which means more people can find your website when they search for related topics. The web design company can help optimize your website by using relevant keywords, creating quality content, improving page loading speed, and making sure your website is user-friendly. SEO can boost your website’s visibility and bring more visitors to your site, helping you reach a wider audience.
So, that’s the web design process. It involves planning, designing, developing, testing, launching, maintaining and optimizing your website.
Regarding the timeline, you should know that building a good website can take from 2 to 12+ months to complete. Yet it’s a great process to take your ideas and turning them into a real, functioning website that people can visit and enjoy!
Compare Web Design Prices
Contact the web design companies and ask for prices for your website. They should give you a plan for how they would make your website and how much it would cost.
Now, here’s the important part: compare the different price estimates you get. Look at what each web design company is offering and how much they’re charging. You want to see which one fits your needs and budget the best.
When you’re comparing design company offers, make sure you’re comparing prices for the same web development services. Some web design companies might include extra features or services in their price, while others might have a lower price but fewer things included. So, you want to make sure you’re comparing apples to apples!
If you find that a price is higher than your budget, don’t worry. You can talk to the web design agency and see if there are ways to optimize the price. Sometimes, they can remove or postpone some functionalities or features that are not as important right away. This can help bring the price down and make it more affordable for you.
Alternatively, if hiring a web design agency is not fitting your budget yet, look for The Best Virtual Assistant for Website and Hire a VA in 2024!
What is important, however, if you get a high-converting website that will help your business for real!
Ask About Ongoing Support
After your website is done, it will need updates and maintenance. Find out if the web development companies offer ongoing support, how much it would cost, and what it will include. Here’s why it’s a good idea:
- Technical assistance: Sometimes, things can go wrong with your website or you might have questions. With ongoing support, the web design agency can help you fix any issues and answer your questions about how to use your website.
- Plugin updates and maintenance: Websites need regular updates to stay secure and working well. The web design agency can take care of these updates for you, making sure your website stays safe and runs smoothly.
- Content updates: If you want to change things on your website, like adding new products or updating information, the web design agency can help you do that quickly and easily.
- SEO optimization: SEO helps your website show up in search engine results. The web design agency can make sure your website is optimized for search engines, so more people can find it when they search for things related to your website.
- More features and pages: If you want to add new features or make your website bigger in the future, the web design agency can help you do that. They’ll be there to support you as your website grows.
Search Engine Optimization
I added SEO as a separate section, because it’s really important! Building a nice looking website that has 0 monthly visitors will not help your business too much.
That’s why, ask for SEO services to boost the search traffic to your new website.
SEO stands for Search Engine Optimization, which helps your website appear higher in search engine results when people look for things related to your business. It’s important because it can bring more visitors to your website. SEO involves getting clear of your content strategy, optimizing your website’s content (pages and blog posts), navigation and structure, using and monitoring the best keywords to improve its visibility in search engines like Google. A well-designed and search engine-friendly website will increase the chances of your target audience finding your business online.
So, remember to inquire about SEO services and their approach to optimizing your website for better search engine visibility during your discussions with web design companies.
Talk To Them In Person
Meet or talk to the web design companies or the top web designer you like the most. This will allow you to discuss your project and see if you get along well. Pay attention to how they respond to your questions and if they seem knowledgeable and friendly. Also, it’s a good sign if the designer you’re talking with is passionate about finding the best design solutions for your small business.
Communication Flags
You’ll get a hint of their communication skills from their first interaction through email or phone calls. A top web design agency will listen to your ideas and be able to explain things in a way you understand. It’s also essential that you stay in touch with your web designer throughout the project, and your concerns and questions will be always answered.
Summary
Now you’re ready to make a good choice when picking a web design firm for your startup website. Remember to think about what you want, research, and find a company that understands your needs and can communicate well with you. Don’t rush into hiring the first design firms or freelancers that you find.
A good website is an essential small business tool, so make sure you have all the patience to go through the process of delivering a successful web design for your business. Finally, I recommend you to hire help to design a website without code, then ask for training so you can maintain it yourself.
