Home » Articles » Six Questions You Should Ask Before Hiring a Web Design Firm

Six Questions You Should Ask Before Hiring a Web Design Firm

The myriad of website design companies that exist nowadays may seem overwhelming, but if you have a clear idea of what you want, you should be able to navigate them with ease. Therefore, by considering the following six questions, you are well on your way to being able to confidently choose a web design company for your eCommerce website.

1. What are my priorities?

Selecting a website designer means making choices. While some designers choose to specialize in stylish designs, others focus on functionality. Pay attention to how firms describe themselves and their services when researching different designers. Determining what is most important to your vision for your website will help you to choose a designer who can deliver what you want.

2. Who is my audience?

It is important to choose a designer who understands your audience and can develop a website that truly speaks to your potential clients. However, in order to identify which developers are capable of this type of understanding, you must first identify who your clients are. Decide if you wish to cast a wide net and appeal to a wide range of clients or if you want to have a targeted focus and build a website that caters to a specific type of person. Knowing your potential clients will allow you to choose the designer you think would best reach out to that audience.

3. What type of expertise should my developer have?

Is your product catalog huge or does your business focus on just a few key goods or services? Do you cater to local buyers or to an international consumer base? Knowing the answer to these questions will help you to figure out what kind of expertise your developer should have. While developers with local expertise are great for smaller, regional businesses, bigger or more international eCommerce sites probably require Magento certified programmers with large-scale expertise.

4. What goals do I have for my eCommerce business?

Think not only about what your website should currently be but also about what you want it to become. By anticipating future challenges, you can choose the right developer who knows how to build solutions to potential problems into your website in advance.

5. How does my business industry behave?

Don’t be caught off guard by surges or slumps in sales if you are doing business in a cyclical industry. If you are in a dynamic industry, assume that you will need to innovate often. By knowing what to expect in your industry, you can chose a designer with relevant expertise. This expertise could range from smoothly handling frequent product updates to boosting SEO efforts during sales slumps.

6. How do I want my website to look?

Every web design firm has its own style. Take the time to research different firms and decide which ones correspond to your vision. Your design choices abound: from sleek and modern to lighthearted and playful to straightforward and down to business. All of these concepts are linked to specific visual styles that your designer can create for you. All you have to do is decide how you want the world to perceive you.

These tips give you a great starting point for considering all the facets of your e-business and how you can bring it to life. By keeping in mind the aspects that make your business unique or interesting, you can select a web designer with the specialized knowledge that can help your website shine.

Joe McFerrin has spent many years to develop a clear understanding of product branding. He enjoys sharing his insights by posting on a variety of blog sites.