Top 4 Tips for Finding the Best Web Design Firm
Many people don’t realize it, but website design matters much more in the B2B world than in the B2C. That’s because business-to-business firms are unlikely to get walk-ins and foot traffic. Other companies will want to vet your firm before making a decision. A website design company can help you stand out online, but choosing the right provider can be difficult.
Rest assured, you aren’t the first to face this decision. The fact is that website design is an investment. If you don’t make the right choice in vendors from the start, fixing that mistake can become expensive and time-consuming. At BNP Engage, we think every organization deserves the web design firm that’s right for them. This guide will help you find it.
#1: Look for Experienced Companies
When you’re choosing a website design firm, it can be tempting to go with the cheapest option. If there’s one thing to never forget, though, it’s that not all of these agencies are equal. It really comes down to experience.
Ask these questions when choosing a website design company:
- Has the firm proven themselves over time?
- Do they have great reviews going back several years?
- Have they worked in industries similar to your own?
- Do they have case studies showcasing their work?
- Does the company offer ongoing maintenance for websites once they are completed?
All of these are important considerations when choosing a website design company. In a perfect world, the agency you choose will have 10 or more years of experience. This means they’ve seen changing trends and know how to respond.
#2: Consider Price and What You’re Paying For
We know the previous section says you shouldn’t just go with the cheapest option. But this doesn’t mean that price shouldn’t be a consideration. For instance, imagine you’re looking for website design companies in Philadelphia and come across an agency and a freelancer. The agency will very likely cost more, and for some, that settles their decision.
The important thing to remember is there are significant drawbacks to a freelancer:
- They’re typically experienced in very specific areas. While they might be able to make your website look beautiful, their ability to make engaging content could be lacking.
- Freelancers tend to focus on what you tell them to do rather than build a cohesive marketing strategy.
- Due to their smaller size, freelancers may not always offer competitive pricing or timelines that are feasible for most businesses.
- A freelancer may not have access to the wide range of tools, technologies, and expertise that an agency does.
Does this mean website design companies are always the better option over freelancers? Not necessarily. You should take a serious look at what you can afford and go from there.
Website design is not an expense — it is an investment. You shouldn’t be afraid to spend money upfront if you have the funds to do so.
#3: Don’t Forget Content Management Systems
A content management system (CMS) is the software that creates and modifies your website. If you don’t already have a website, this shouldn’t be much of an issue. After all, you’re starting from scratch! But if you currently have a CMS you prefer, you may want to find a website design company that uses it as well.
But just because you’re already using a particular CMS doesn’t mean you have to stick with it. Many companies switch to WordPress when they discover that it’s the most popular content management system out there. Here are a few of the benefits that WordPress offers:
- WordPress and many of its plugins are free to use
- Tens of thousands of themes and plugins allow maximum customization
- Content can be published, revised, and updated in mere seconds
- Easy to add additional users to WordPress accounts
- The WooCommerce plugin makes setting up an online store simple
These benefits explain why you’ll find so many WordPress website design agencies in the United States. The thing that surprises people is that the advantages we’ve mentioned are just the tip of the iceberg. The Benefits of a WordPress Website Guide goes more in-depth to help you understand why most website design companies prefer this CMS.
Of course, WordPress isn’t mandatory. But with the many benefits of switching, it’s something you should think about.
#4: Review Supplemental Services Available
There are plenty of great website design brands out there. Each will likely provide stellar examples of their previous work, and it may be difficult to choose between them.
At this point, reviewing their supplemental marketing services can come in handy. Why? Because if you can find a website design business that does more than just design, it’s possible to significantly cut your costs.
Studies show that only 35% of companies know how many vendors access their systems. The simple fact is that American businesses use too many vendors. Often, separate vendors perform related tasks.
Working with an agency that provides multiple services to enhance the quality of your website can lead to significant cost savings. Try to find a web design firm that also handles:
- Marketing
- Reputation management
- Content creation
- Search engine optimization
- Social media management
With all of these services working together, your website will have a better chance of performing well long-term.
Find the Website Design Firm That’s Right for You
It’s a tough pill to swallow, but being the best in your industry isn’t always enough. You have to be able to stand out from your competition, and if your online footprint is subpar, you simply won’t be able to do so.
When it comes to building your brand, your website design is right on par with offering great service, excelling at marketing, and making sound financial decisions.
That’s why choosing the right B2B website design firm is so essential. We have the resources, experience, and know-how to help you excel. Even if it turns out your company would be better off with a freelancer, we can point you in the right direction to get started.
Our goal is to help your company succeed. Contact us today to learn more.