How do I find the right web development company
How do I find the right web development company? We’ve come across a considerable amount of businesses that have been abandoned by their web developer. Up until the point they’ve been paid for their services, they were contactable and always able to help, but from that moment on, getting any kind of support, or contact could be an almost impossible task.
As we’ve spoken about previously, custom-built websites are a very important aspect of your business, so getting it right the first time will save you time and money.
So, let’s talk about some important things to consider when choosing a company to develop your website.
Do they have a website themselves?
Have you seen their website? – if not, have a look at it now. I know this might sound stupid, but I’ve worked with previous clients who can’t even give a URL for the company or developer who they paid £15,000 to build their site. This is a web developer’s bread and butter, so if their own website doesn’t look good, what do you think yours will look like?
Do they know what they’re doing?
When engaging with a company or developer to build your site, it should be thoroughly planned out from the start. They should listen to your requirements and help come up with a solid solution. If this doesn’t happen, you’re likely to end up with a site that has generic functionality, or even just a re-themed piece of work they may have delivered to a previous client.
You as a client should be involved in the process from the very beginning, right up until the day the site goes live. If you’re not, the chances are you’re going to be disappointed with what you actually receive and potentially incur additional fees to make changes.
Are they trying to sell you the only product they supply? You might be engaging with a company or person who only has a theme or pre-built package on offer. This might not be right for you. It’s important to understand the differences between pre-built and custom-built websites.
Make sure you research into the company, or the person who is going to carry out your work to avoid any of the above disappointments!
Build a relationship with your vendor
You should always try and meet the people you’ll be working with. In some instances, this isn’t always possible, but there are other things you can do, such as:
- Video conference calls to see who you’re working with (if this can’t be done face to face)
- Regularly planned calls, to keep you updated on the progress
- Good email contact for quick questions and answers
After your website is completed, you’ll want to be able to turn to this company in the future, in case you have any problems, or decide you want some extra work done on the site. This company will be the best place to go to, since they will already know how your site was built and how it works, thus saving you money. You’re likely to be charged much more money going somewhere else.
Recent work & testimonials
What projects have they worked on recently? If they’re unable to provide you with any concepts or examples of previous work, then they potentially don’t have any previous experience. Check out their testimonials and case studies to see what kind of work they’ve undertaken before. Don’t rush into choosing your vendor, make sure they have the proof you need, to know they’re qualified for the job.
Check legitimacy
If the people you’re engaging with are claiming to be a registered company, then you should check to make sure this is the case. We often hear of people who spoke to their mate Dave down the pub, who recommended his mate Bob, who could throw them a site together in 2 days. They end up with an unplanned website, that doesn’t look or work at all in the way they need, which they now have to pay for.
To Summarise
So, hopefully, you now know what to look for when picking a web development company for your next job. It’s always important to find the right company for you. The reason PurpleRaptor started was to help businesses grow, by delivering visually stunning, engaging and modern websites. We want to develop a relationship with our customers and support them during and after a project.
Why not get in touch with us to discuss your next project?