Jeremy L. Knauff entered the United States Marine Corps immediately after high school, leaving at the rank of Sergeant to pursue new challenges after four years of honorable service. He then spent the next several years in marketing and advertising positions with various companies throughout Florida. He currently resides in South Tampa, where he manages Wildfire Marketing Group, a marketing company that specializes in helping small companies to compete with the bigger companies and win. Wildfire marketing group offers website design, graphic design as well as a variety of other marketing services. Whether you're just starting your company or you've been in business for several years, chances are that you'll eventually have to invest in the services of a website design firm. This isn't a task for the faint of heart because while there are some great firms out there, but there are also some really ineffective ones. Finding the right one can put your company on the fast track to Internet success, but selecting the wrong one can leave you with nothing to show for your time, money and frustrations.
Whether you're just starting your company or you've been in business for several years, chances are that you'll eventually have to invest in the services of a website design firm. This isn't a task for the faint of heart because while there are some great firms out there, but there are also some really ineffective ones. Finding the right one can put your company on the fast track to Internet success, but selecting the wrong one can leave you with nothing to show for your time, money and frustrations.
The key to selecting the right website design firm for your particular situation is doing your homework. There is a lot more to it than just looking for the lowest cost. By following these steps, you'll have a far greater chance of selecting a firm that is the best fit for you.
1. Look at their website. This may sound like a no-brainer, but many people skip it. If a website design firm doesn't have a website that really catches your attention and draws you in, chances are that they won't be able to design one for you. And don't believe the “cobblers children” excuse. Any professional website design firm will take their own website very seriously.
2. Compare their prices. You're not necessarily looking for the lowest price though. If many of the firms that you talk to are in the $3,000 - $5,000 range, don't get excited when you come across a firm that is offering to design your website for $700 – that lower price comes at a cost. As in any industry, you get what you pay for. Value is more important than price; determine what you can afford to invest in your website and then select the firm that offers the most value at a realistic price. For a ballpark figure, an investment between $2,000 - $5,000 should meet the needs of most companies.
3. Research their history. Have they been in business for a few years? Have they been covered in any major business publications? How about testimonials? Every company will have some unsatisfied customers, but what you're looking for is a trend. If several high-profile people have great things to say about them, that is a strong indication that they are a reputable company. The same applies to positive coverage in the media.
4. Talk to their customers. Most honest website design firm will gladly give you the phone numbers of a few customers that you can call and ask about their experiences with the firm. You can also find clients from their portfolio. If they won't let you talk to any previous customers, that should be a huge red flag.
5. Look at their process from beginning to end. Does it seem professional and organized or does it seem like they are putting it together as they go? Most serious website design firms will have a very organized process in place, beginning with by discussing your particular needs and situation. Many will send you a creative brief, which is basically an in-depth questionnaire that collects the information they will need to plan and design your website. They should also have contracts prepared that outline the terms of your project. More often than not, the more detailed and organized firms are the ones that will meet your needs most effectively.
6. Consider their size. If you run a Fortune 500 company, a two-man website design firm may not be able to meet your needs. On the other hand, if you run a start-up company and have a small budget, a larger website design firm may not be the right fit for you. The key is to select a firm that will be able to handle your project, but will still treat you as more than just a number.