How to make sure you pick the right web design company for you

When a web design company writes an article on how to choose a web design company we acknowledge you'll view this with sceptisicm. We don't blame you. However, we've written this guide in an attempt to help - to genuinely help. The number of stories we hear every month are frightening and even if you don't choose ClarityWEB articles like this will hopefully ease the task of getting the company that is right for you.

To make it easy, and less sales orientated, we've chosen a bullet point approach:

Check the simple things first

1. Address - look for a contact address on their website. If there isn't one, the chances are you're dealing with a freelancer or someone who uses contract web developers and doesn't want you to know. Websites can be made to look like you're dealing with a formal company when the truth is far from it.

2. Telephone number - is it a mobile only number, or it is always on answerphone? Again, signs of freelancers (and we should say some are very good) or a part-time filler for someone who doesn't want you to know the truth.

3. Is it a residential address? Type the address into Google. The chances are it'll bring you to Google Maps and you can find out if it a residential address. Some companies will publish the address to through you off the scent and into thinking they're legitimate, indeed some try to make the address sound business-like. Double check it.

4. Are they are Limited company? If not, why not? With a Limited company you are assured of them submitting formal accounts and know they're not likely to be someone about to disappear overnight.

5. VAT registration number - where is it? Look for it. With a ceiling of £68,000 on VAT at present you know you'll be dealing with a company with a recognised trading history and that they're formally abiding by processes on a regular basis.

6. About Us - what does it say on their About Us page? Generic information is to be avoided. Look for definitive statements about the developers they employ, how the company formed, a little about their ethics and location, etc. You need to know they're who they claim to be.

How do they charge?

1. Do they offer an initial free meeting, at your premises or theirs? - if not, why not? It's standard practice for the main companies in a region and in most cases they should offer to come and visit you. However, if you want to visit them - and they resist or give an excuse as to why you can't - think twice. Why can't you visit a professional company if that is what they really are?

2. Do they offfer a no obligation quotation? - they should do and you shouldn't feel at all pressured by them. They should be able to give you guideline figures (even if they're broad in range) from an initial conversation and they should then offer you a formal quotation. The quotation should be a formal and professional document - you need it to be so and must make sure you get the parameters of the project well defined.

3. Do not pay 100% up front! - if they ask you to, look elsewhere. You would normally be asked for a 50% deposit and 50% upon completion.

4. Are you being asked to pay monthly? - the main companies will charge little more than a hosting fee (annual) and possible a site administration fee is you have asked them to maintain your site for a prolonged period. If you're offer low start-up costs but ongoing monthly costs, question it. You're going to spend much more money in the long run and we strongly recommend you don't enter into these types of arrangements. It is common for prices to go up after the first year.

5. Check and double-check what is included - a good web company will include everything you need. However, it is very common for hosting not to be shown, hidden administrative costs, SEO work to be excluded and so on and so forth. Specifically ask what is and isn't included if they haven't provided you with a thorough quotation.

6. Future costs - ask them what their hourly rate would be for additional work you might want doing in 3, 6 or 12 months time. They should be able to tell you straight away what their fees are for different types of work.

Testimonials

1. Ask to see existing client websites - strangely, not everyone does. You must.

2. Speak to a client - physically pick up the phone, or e-mail them, and get in touch with an existing client of the company. Ask what they think of them, the service they received and if they'd still go to them if they knew then what they knew now.

Ask direct questions

1. Ask them if they write their own websites - does that sound like a strange question? There is a lot of sub contracting work done in the web industry. Check if the company you're dealing with will be writing your site or will they be sub contracting it (you'll have a lot less control if they do)? Furthermore, will they be writing your website from scratch (which they should do) or do they use templates that they buy online and then drop your content into them? If they do the latter, think very carefully about whether you want to deal with them or not. Sometimes a template will meet your needs, but most main web companies will develop sites from scratch because you and they then have full control over what they look like and, ultimately, what they're able to do in future.

2. Ask exactly what SEO work they will do for your site, and for how long. - if they stutter, seem uncomfortable answering the question or come out with a statement such as 'everything' - move away. Quantifying SEO is difficult for non-technical people, so they should offer to give you written confirmation of all the points that will be taken care of for you.

3. Ask what their experience is - don't take it for granted. Ask the types of sites and projects they've worked on, what their company background is and of any other projects they currently have underway.

4. Ask how long any annual fees can be fixed for - if they quote you for hosting, ask how long they can give an assurance of the annual fee remaing the same for.

Other things you really must ask yourself

1. Do you like the websites they've shown you? - if not, don't give them the order!

2. Do all their sites look the same? - are they able to demonstrate creative thinking or do all their sites look similar?

3. Are they registered with appropriate local authorities? - check to ensure they're registered with the likes of Business Link. By doing so yo know they have professional indemnity insurance and that their company has been vetted to a degree by a location organisation that handles funding and general business advice.

4. Can they meet your deadline? - don't presume they can. Ask them, clearly.

5. Look to them for solutions! - ask them what they think, what their vision of your website could be. They should want to understand your business if they're a truly professional company. If they don't seem to have any clear ideas about how they can help you - and if you don't find yourself thinking 'hey, thats a great idea!', look elsewhere.

6. You get what you pay for. - this has never been truer than in web design. If there is a major difference in price it isn't always because some people are trying to get more money out of you. It is very often because there is a major difference in what you'll get. Check that quotation document for specifics again.

We've also given two final tips in the right hand column, and they're very important ones. We hope you've found this document of use and you should feel free to ask us all the questions we've said you should - we won't stutter, delay or give excuses.