Getting a website designed today isn’t hard.
There are several simple options and dedicated agencies available to help you build your next website. But like anything, there are certain things you’ll want to consider when looking for a web design agency. No one can deny the importance of having an online presence. As a modern business, and as a manager or owner, you should never underestimate the need for a reputable to craft your company’s digital footprint.
Web Design: An Intricate Yet Vital Consideration
Website design is a complex process that takes planning, resources, and solid execution to avoid issues, overflowing budgets, or weak results. Luckily for you, there are many web design agencies across Birmingham and beyond that are competing for your attention. The key to success is choosing the right one.
Do you think that any agency will do just fine? Well, consider this: your customers’ first impressions of your business generally come via the website. Three-fourths of online users make judgments on company credibility purely based on website design, and 0.05 seconds is the average amount of time for that opinion to form upon visiting the site.
You should take time to decide on a web design agency. Here are some questions to ask before finalising your decision.
What Areas Does the Agency Specialize?
Web design is more than just slapping together a bunch of elements; there are many aspects to it:
- Content and Copywriting
- Search Engine Optimisation
- Graphics
- User Interface Design
- CMS Implementation
- Hosting
Plus, there are many operating systems and programming languages involved in development. Any single web development agency in Birmingham is rarely a master of all trades, so check if the one you’re looking at has expertise in the areas you want.
Design can be just as important as content, as 59% of people would prefer reading a beautifully designed website than a plain one according to an Adobe study.
What Does Their Portfolio Look Like?
They say experience is the best teacher. Look for past customers and contact them directly to ask about the experience. Some useful points could be:
- Is the provider able to stick to deadlines?
- What are their best merits?
- What could they improve?
- Would you recommend this service or stick to it again?
How Much Will the Whole Project Cost?
Have your budget decided beforehand. Be flexible to plan for potential upsells by offering a number slightly below your budget. This way, you have more wiggle room in case your digital agency suggests some extra features.
As a benchmark, the industry average for the price of a brochure style website is between £1500 and £4000 for design, development, and service.
Don’t forget that time itself is a resource. Will the project run into unexpected obstacles? Estimate the project timeline and check on progress every now and again.
What’s the Pricing Structure?
In other words, for what will you be paying? Web design projects have two structures of payment: hourly or project-based, the latter of which is more predictable and suitable for small businesses.
Try to get a full cost before starting so that you don’t run into surprise costs. Since even many high-profile agencies don’t publish their pricing online, expect to call directly for quotes.
What Does the Price Include?
Here’s a typical “gotcha.” Does that design agency in Birmingham cover development as well? If not, it will only provide the designs that another third party must implement. Know what you’re paying for by asking if services like search engine optimisation, content production, and architecture work are part of the price.
Is the Design Efficient?
For all its benefits, the Internet has undoubtedly shortened our attention spans. The increased focus on videos and short text blurbs means that we want our information fast nowadays. Nearly a quarter of online users will click away if a webpage takes more than 4 seconds to load in.
Who Will Be Working on It?
While it may seem silly to ask at first, many agencies rely on entry-level designers or overseas outsourcing for cheaper jobs. Make sure the right people are working on your project by asking who’s on board for it.
Also, get in contact with a single representative dedicated to your cause to ask questions and get updates and troubleshooting. If the web design agency in Birmingham cannot allocate a manager, that means they’re probably unfocused and likely to blame someone else if things go wrong.
Is There a Mobile Layout on Offer?
In the age of smartphones, a mobile layout is a must-have for a couple of reasons:
- Tying into search engine optimisation, Google prioritizes webpages with mobile-friendly designs.
- More and more sales are being made through mobile devices now. For an eCommerce business, mobile-friendly websites are a no-brainer investment.
- 74% of users are more likely to return to a site that has mobile optimisation than one without. Plus, a lack of a mobile layout is an indication the business doesn’t care about its customers.
Looking for a Digital Agency in Birmingham?
Globalgraphics is a full-service web agency in Birmingham that provides a variety of web design and graphic design services to our clients. We have everything you need to help you create your next website.
Contact us today if you’d like to learn more about our processes and what your next website will look like.
