Business Bullets - Marketing

Choose your web design agency well and they'll help your business to grow and develop  - here are a few pointers to help you decide.

1. Test Drive - Spend time to view other websites the agency has created.

All agencies have a unique style so it's vital that you browse existing projects they have delivered.

All agencies will have portfolio samples and links on their website. If not alarm bells should ring!

You need to make sure their style and standard is in line with how you view your own brand.

Call some of their clients for feedback. You're making a big investment so any feedback will assist in your decision-making.

It's very important that your Content Management System is a breeze to manage and maintain, ask for a demonstration.

2. It's good to talk – Make sure you talk with the designer and tell them what your needs are.

Before choosing an agency, it's important to identify the services that they can offer you.

A good agency will be completely honest with and will tell you their capabilities.

The sign of a great agency is one that will ask you many important questions – for example:

• What are the goals & purpose of your website?
• What is your unique selling point?
• Who is your target audience?
• What is the nature of your business?

If they don't at the very least ask these key questions, be wary.

Don't get confused by jargon make sure they communicate their ideas to you in plain English.

If you're mostly dealing with a salesperson, be wary as they may have the drive and enthusiasm, but they may be overselling what they can deliver. Speak with the person who will be designing your website.

Discuss your long-term future needs and if their website platform can accommodate future updates.

3. Too good to be true? – Don't choose an agency that promises to get you to the top of Google.

That is not your Web Designers job it's a job for a SEO specialist. Getting your website up the Google listings takes knowledge, hard work and can be expensive.

However, do make sure your website will be coded with SEO in mind. It is your Web Designer's job to set you up with the tools to be used if SEO is being practiced on your website.

4. Assess all Platform options – Don't hire an agency who only create websites on one platform.

This means you have no alternatives and they may not be able to offer the right solution for your business.

This also means they will push you towards what they know. Always ask if there are any suitable alternatives.

5. Mmmmmm, pretty – Don't be sucked in by aesthetics.

Don't be bowled over if the agency pitch includes a sleek design before you've even got the project off the ground. It might look impressive, but the reason you're appointing an agency is to establish a design that will best suit the needs of your users, rather than that just looking good.

A design concept should only be submitted once the agency has a full understanding of your brief.