When the time comes for you to purchase a website you’ll need to ask your shortlist of web developers many questions. We’ve given you a few below to get you started.
Do you have a portfolio?
Without seeing what your potential developer has done previously you can’t determine what they will create for you, so you need to see examples of their work. If they’re not forthcoming in showing you anything, then move on to someone else that will. Don’t worry if these are not live websites, the web is fast evolving and clients do move on.
Do you have any testimonials?
Any established web design company will be only too happy to provide you with a list of testimonials from previously satisfied clients if requested.
A testimonial from a satisfied client is a fantastic endorsement for any business and can be far more effective than any amount of advertising.
What is the process in developing a site?
Each job has an ultimate goal, but what happens in-between, and what are you expected as the client to provide the developer at each stage and what part do each of you have to play in the development of the web site.
Your website will go through several stages which are: Planning, Designing, Production, Testing and Maintenance. Your website may not follow the stages in exactly the order listed. In fact, you will probably find yourself moving back and forth between stages as your site emerges and takes shape.
What happens if I need changes to my website?
Chances are if you haven’t specifically requested a maintenance/support contract then this will not be included in the cost of your website.
Most small static websites may not necessitate a maintenance/support contract, so ask your web developer the cost of doing ad-hoc changes. However, you should be adding new content to your website on a regular basis to keep it looking ‘fresh’. The larger or more complex a website gets the more likely it will require regular maintenance/support.
You also need to ask your developer how they handle support requests. Some will use a ticketing system, whilst others will just require you to email through your support request.
Do you offer hosting and domain registration?
Some web design companies offer domain registration and hosting services, others do not. But you will need both of these once your website has been designed. If your web developer does offer hosting services there may be features that he utilises on his server that may not be available if you decide to host elsewhere.
If you do decide to host elsewhere you need to tell your web developer what type of server your domain is hosted on and the language that it uses, so that he can develop the website accordingly.
Will my domain name be registered to me?
The domain name registered for you should have you, the client as the registered owner of the domain name. The company that registers the domain on your behalf normally will be the administrator and technical contacts for the domain name.
Time after time we see web development companies registering themselves as the owners of their clients’ domain name. There is no reason for the domain name to be registered in anything but your name, so ask from the outset and ask for it to be put in writing if necessary.
Can you get me to number one in Google?
I have people asking me this all the time and telling me that companies have contacted them guaranteeing that they can make them number one on Google for an agreed search term. Beware of these companies and steer well clear of them, chances are they will use a variety of underhand tactics trying to get you there. I know of one company that dealt with one of these companies and was sent to number one in the Google rankings for an agreed search term, but it was on Google Ireland for a search term of let’s say, “flower arranging devon”. Who would be searching for that search term on Google Ireland?
I shall say this only once, “You cannot guarantee a number one listing on Google”. Any underhand techniques will only serve to ultimately get your domain blacklisted on Google and other search engines altogether.
There are certain things that your developer can do to help raise your domain up the rankings on Google (and other search engines) by using good honest standards compliant design, development and optimisation. To help you even further there are companies who specialise in search marketing and Search Engine Optimisation (SEO).
How do you test websites?
Ask what browsers (and versions) your website will be tested in during the development process.
I recently had a conversation with a client that insisted that websites that I created for him needed to be tested only in Internet Explorer 7. I told him that I did not develop consumer websites solely for Internet Explorer, but would develop his websites according to web and CSS standards so that the website could be seen as it should be by people visiting using a multitude of browsers that are standards compliant. The clients’ reaction was that he wasn’t interested in me spending my time getting it to work in the other browsers.
To the point, I told him that Internet Explorer was not standards compliant and if I got it working in the other browsers, a few fixes would get it working in Internet Explorer, yet if I developed for Internet Explorer solely, then there was no guarantee that the site would render correctly for other browsers. I also asked him what would happen when a new version of Internet Explorer was released, that had better standards support. The site would be broken for that browser too.
A developer needs to develop for standards compliant browsers and then apply fixes for those that do not. Developing a standards compliant website gives it the ability to look and function the way it should across a variety of browsers.
For more complex websites user testing is a vital aspect of the development process. Don’t be surprised if the developer gets you and your family and or colleagues to user test the system.
Building a website can be a complex process, depending on the functionality that you as a client want to incorporate into it. Finding the right developer who understands the development process and your needs as a client are the key to the success of your website.
We’re passionate about the websites that we develop for our clients. We’ve been developing high quality websites for over 14 years, that can be viewed across different browsers and that can be found on the Search Engines.
About POPex
POPex is an award winning creative design consultancy, based in Hessle, East Yorkshire. Our creative design solutions range from web design, corporate branding, to design for print and digital illustration, along with a range of Display Systems.
About John Redhead
John Redhead, has over 15 years experience working with small to medium-sized businesses on their branding and web development needs. You can learn more by visiting POPex.co.uk
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