Having your website re-designed is exciting! It’s a fresh start, you’re bettering your business and the digital impact it has on prospects. With so many companies out there offering their creative eye and expertise, it can be hard to know where to start and what to ask.
To help you get started, here are seven important questions to touch on with your web designer:
Not every company works the same. If you have specific goals in mind for your site, such as e-commerce, lead capture, and custom coding for visuals, share that right away. The company should know what you want to happen as a result of the website design/development.
Knowing what you want to achieve will help to produce a final product that is aligned with your goals and serves your business needs.
Most importantly, you’ll find out how their process works. Will they spend the time needed to truly get indoctrinated into your business style and brand, or will they offer a quick one-all solution.
2. How much time is going to be spent on researching and planning?
In the initial stages of the web design project, the company should spend several hours auditing your site and researching your business, competitors, and market. This allows them to identify strengths and weaknesses to improve upon.
3. What do I need to provide so we can start the project?
If you already have a brand and know what content your website should include, communicate this and any ideas you may have to the web designer/developer.
On the other hand, if you don’t have the above in place, reach out to a marketing professional/agency who can supply it for you (e.g. photos and copywriting). Our how to brand your business like a boss post covers key areas of branding.
Additionally, important marketing metrics found in Google Analytics can be insightful and useful when making content and design decisions.
4. Will my website be responsive?
Most web designers/developers will make your website responsive, but it’s always better to be safe than sorry. With smartphones being the number one device on which websites are viewed, you want to make sure your site is displayed properly and leaves a good impression. Tests should be performed to ensure your site loads fast. Poor page load times can lead to high bounce rates.
5. When will my website be finished?
Obviously, you want to know how long the project will take, but the answer depends on the complexity of your site. Moreover, it also depends on how fast you can supply assets (copy, photos, etc.).
Another factor is how fast you can make decisions based on the suggestions of the web designer/developer.
6. Will you register my domain name and hosting account in my name?
Most web developers will register your domain in your own name. You can also register a domain name yourself and give the details to the web developer. Whichever route you choose, make it clear in the preliminary stages of the project. If for whatever reason you decide to part ways in the future, you don’t want the headache of sorting out what belongs to whom.
If you’re not sure where to start, your web developer should provide you with multiple domain registration and hosting options that suit the needs of your website.
7. What happens if I don’t like the initial design?
You rarely get what you want in the first round. That’s why it’s important to discuss how many revisions are covered under the cost presented to you. Most web designers and developers will either offer unlimited changes until you are satisfied, or request payment for the extra work. Discuss this beforehand so you know what to expect.