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Find out how you can enhance your business by hiring a web design service. Discover what to look for in a web designer and how to plan your website.
In 2021, the majority of businesses either have a digital store or a company website. Even if you do not offer digital services, a company website is an excellent way to advertise to a wide audience. Most customers rely on online searches when they want to go shopping, even if they plan on making the purchase in-person. With an online store, you have a greater chance of appearing at the top of the search results. You can also use your website to provide information to your existing customers.
With a more advanced business website, you can create membership accounts and provide discounts or other incentives to your customers. Your website is also an excellent marketing resource, providing useful demographics on your viewers. If you want a professional website but do not have any technical experience, you can hire a web designer. Web designers build custom websites based on your input.
What Makes a Good Website
Before you approach a web designer, it is recommended to build a checklist for all the features you want on your website. Before web designers can agree to your project, they must know exactly what you want. Having a list not only makes it easier to approach a designer, but it ensures you do not forget anything and have to renegotiate with the designer in the middle of a project. You do not need extensive website knowledge when you build your list. Include whatever features you want and your web designer will explain how to best implement these features.
When making a list of features, you must decide how advanced you want your website to be. Some businesses only use their website to post updates and images related to the business. Other companies run membership accounts, digital marketplaces or customer service through the website. You must also decide if you want a web designer to fill your website with content, or if you are comfortable getting a general template which your business fills in.
Another consideration is whether you want to link social media accounts to your website. There are many widgets that allow you to include your Twitter or Facebook feed on your website. If you combine your website, there are several programs available you can use to make updates on both your website and social media account at the same time.
Important Web Designer Traits
While many web designers work as freelancers, there are also professional web design companies. Freelancers are typically less expensive to hire, but do not offer the same features as a web design company. Another concern with freelance web designers is you are not the top priority. Many freelancers work with multiple clients at the same time, so it may take longer to get an answer to your questions.
Experience is an important trait for your web designer. Be sure to look at your web designer’s portfolio. Looking through the portfolio may also give you ideas on what features you want for your website. Be sure to ask for links to other websites the designer built.
If you want your web designer to fill your website with content, make sure this is communicated upfront and included in the initial costs.
Creating your Website
Once you finish your feature list and find a web designer, the next step is building the website. Unless otherwise specified, your web designer will keep in touch during the design process, providing regular progress reports to see if you are happy with the look of the website. While your designer works on the website, there are several areas to consider.
First, you want a good user interface. Most businesses want a sleek, professional looking website. Make sure all the relevant links and information are clearly displayed at the top of the page. You want your website to be easy to navigate, especially if you run a digital store or customer accounts. Make sure you pick color schemes that compliment each other, so the text is clearly legible against your background.
If you have other employees who will manage the website, make sure they are involved in the design process. You want your employees to be familiar with the general interface and understand how to post new content onto the site.
Lounge Lizard
Lounge Lizard is a popular website designer for businesses because they also specialize in marketing solutions. During your consultation, the web designer will ask questions about your business and propose unique ideas based on what services your company provides. In addition to building your website, your web designer helps you create an advertising plan to draw new customers to your website and improve your rank in search results. If you want to run a digital store, Lounge Lizard also has hosting and maintenance options.
Blue Fountain Media
Blue Fountain Media is another web designer that specializes in online marketing. In addition to building your website, the company can also provide business strategy, digital marketing services and branding solutions. Blue Fountain Media has several large clients, including Microsoft, Sony and FedEx. Before designing your website, the company sends a consultant to learn about your company and help design a website based around your products and services.
Once your website is complete, you can hire Blue Fountain Media for SEO development and copywriting for your website. The company typically offers bundled deals, providing a substantial discount for both web design and digital marketing.
Big Drop
Big Drop specializes in making easy to navigate websites, placing a greater emphasis on user interface and accessibility than other companies. The company specializes your website based around your target audience. They can also help you integrate other sites, such as your social media accounts, directly into the website. Big Drop can also assist with content creation once your website is finished.
Maxburst
Maxburst is both a website designer and a social media marketing service. Maxburst applies their social media knowledge to every website. The company encourages businesses to use photos and videos to create a unique brand for your business. Maxburst primarily works with smaller businesses and is flexible with pricing. When you meet with a consultant, you can tell him or her your general budget. Your consultant will create a customized plan based around your budget.