Choosing the right web designer is vital for your business. This comprehensive guide will tell you how to choose a web design agency that’s right for you.
There are almost 2 billion websites on the net. And as if that were not enough pressure, the average user spends 54 seconds on a webpage. That’s right, some users don’t even stick around for that important piece you worked on for hours.
As a business owner, this can only mean one thing. You need to find a strategy that will cut through the noise and arrest your audience’s attention.
That means creating a website that places user experience and engagement at the heart of its design. And for that, we say partner with a web design agency.
However, with so many agencies out there, it is only normal that you may be wondering how to choose a web design agency. And as a web design agency that has been at it for years, it is only normal that we have the answer.
Below we have drafted a comprehensive guide to choosing a web design agency.
Who Needs a Web Design Company?
Before we can venture into how to decide on a website designer, let’s first answer the all-important question; do you really need a web design agency?
There is no clear-cut answer for this because businesses are not carved from the same stone. The best we can do is guide you to the answer.
Expertise
The most important thing to gauge when you are wondering if you need to turn to a website design agency is expertise. With over 4.9 billion users on the net, it is important to work with a designer who knows the current trends and best practices in the web design industry.
When you partner with a web design agency, you get to leverage the knowledge and experience of a whole team instead of one person. This will not only bring depth to your web project but also ensure that your design is mined from a wealth of information and knowledge.
Budget
Your financial standing is another aspect that can help you determine if you need to collaborate with an agency. The average salary of a web designer is $60,000 a year. And as for developers, they come with a price tag of $83,205. This can put a strain on your finances, especially if you don’t have a big budget to splurge.
Focus
The world of web design is ever changing. We mean new trends appear every year. And to remain competitive, you will need to keep up. But when you have an experienced agency on your team like Technology Aloha, your focus can be your business while ours is your website.
We are committed to ensuring that your website design follows the best web design practices.
Types of Websites
This is one of the most important aspects of choosing a web design agency. Knowing the different types of websites will help you narrow down the agencies you can partner with.
Static Websites
Back in the internet stone ages, when hosting videos on websites was not a possibility, static websites ruled the world wide web.
The birth of static websites followed one man’s dream to make information management easier. When Berners-Lee realized the difficulty CERN had with managing projects completed by its world wide network of researchers, he went on a hunt to make accessing data easier. His plan was to create a database that could be accessed from anywhere in the world using hypertext. Though first rejected, the project was approved and Berners-Lee and a colleague got to work.
Static websites are sites that depend on CSS, HTML and JavaScript languages. These sites display similar content to every user. When you click on a URL, the server fetches a file connected to the specified URL and shows it to the users as is. There will be no alterations made to the file since it is pre-built. To make alterations to a static site, you would have to manually alter the content files.
This is why static sites are not regarded as flexible or even the best for most businesses. But they do have their place on the net. Static websites don’t need to be boring. With a few calls-to-action (CTAs) and animations, you can still end up with an engaging website.
Static websites are a great option for portfolios and information sites.
When it comes to businesses, they can be used to build brochure websites. This is a prime option for businesses that only need a website to display their offerings and some operational information.
Dynamic Websites
These are most websites as we know them today. Dynamic websites are not tied down. Rather they interact with users differently depending on factors like location and past interactions.
Dynamic websites are a business favorite because they are customized according to the user’s needs. Portions of the site are compiled once a user requests a page. The server collects data about the visitor and constructs an HTML file tailored for the user.
The most popular examples of dynamic websites are e-commerce sites. E-commerce sites thrive on personalization. They give clients recommendations based on elements like location and previous purchases. This way visitors are shown what they are most likely to purchase.
Other forms of dynamic sites are social media sites, blogs and news websites.
Benefits of Partnering with a Web Design Company
Working with a web design agency comes with a lot of benefits. We mean from competitive edge to user experience (UX) optimization, below we have listed some benefits you can celebrate:
User Experience Optimization
We cannot overemphasize the importance of user experience in web design. UX should be the center of every page and content displayed on your web regardless of the type of website you choose. To make the most of UX design, you may want to partner with a professional designer.
UX is not only about aesthetics. It is about a host of elements that when brought together are the pulse of your site.
When thinking of UX, imagine site navigation and simplicity as well as page speed. It is about nurturing a relationship between your brand and your clients. And you should not leave this relationship to chance.
Working with UX designers can bring these elements to life, ensuring your clients enjoy every interaction with your website. And most importantly, will come back for more.
Search Engine Optimization (SEO)
There are 8.5 billion searches made on Google everyday and only 0.63% of people glance at the second page. Which means your search engine results page (SERP) ranking has never been so important.
One of the factors that play a role in your SEO is web design. A well executed website results in lower bounce rates, higher engagement, and faster load times. All of these elements affect your SEO.
Good web design can also boost your conversion rate.
Technical Is Made Easy
Another benefit of working with a web agency is that you won’t have to worry about the technical aspects of your website.
Building a website is a delicate process that relies on balance. This means working with several technical elements to ensure you have a site that speaks to your brand and connects with your clients. And this is something build-your-own-website platforms cannot bring.
Working with an agency will ensure there is a simple balance between elements. Professional web designers can ensure that your images look the same on every screen size and don’t impair your page speed.
Want to learn more about our web design services?
Whether you’re just starting out or are ready for a website redesign, we can bring your vision to life with custom web design services.
Selection Factors to Consider
Here are four factors to consider when choosing a web design agency:
Understanding Your Business Needs
The first thing to consider are your business needs. Why are you looking for a web designer? Do you need a new website or are you refreshing an existing one? Knowing your website goals is a guiding light to help you navigate the design waters.
Regardless of what you are looking for, we can help you redesign your website or build from scratch. If you need custom designs tailored to follow your brand guidelines, we are your team.
Communication and Responsiveness
Another factor you cannot neglect is communication. As you are working with a web design agency, you need to ensure that the agency is responsive. Your website is an integral part of your business. You don’t want to hear crickets when you need assistance with your website in the future.
Budget and Timeline
There is a common combination that plagues every industry: shorter production time means more money and longer production time offers better prices.
Choosing the right web design agency is no small task, especially when considering the significant roles that budget and timeline play. Look for a design agency that has a proven track record of on-time and on-budget site deliveries to happy clients.
At Technology Aloha, we don’t believe in surprises — we follow a carefully cultivated process that has been refined through years of collaboration with small and medium-sized businesses. Our approach guarantees a timely site delivery while offering a competitive pricing that respects your budget. When you choose us, you’re not only opting for an agency that values your time and financial constraints, but also one that is committed to a long term partnership.
The Agency’s Core Values
At last we have agency core values. When you are partnering with an agency, don’t forget to review their values. It is important for your brand to ensure that you partner with an ethical business whose values align with yours.
How to Choose a Web Design Agency?
Your website is your online abode. You cannot compromise on how it looks or functions. You will have to be meticulous in choosing a web design agency to ensure you select the right partner.
When you are ready for that web redesign or new website, Technology Aloha is here for you. Contact us to learn more about how we can help you build the perfect website for your business.