How to Choose a Website Agency

In today’s world, having a website for a business is not an option but a requirement. Getting a website up and running can be quite a large project and hiring a website agency can be the best way to turn it into a huge success. Here are some things anyone who is considering creating a website should know in order to choose the best website agency.

Where are they located?

In the process of creating a website, one thing is certain. There will be many calls and meetings between the agency and the client. That is why it is important to know where they are located to understand when will be the best time to communicate.

Do they have ongoing maintenance options?

Creating a website is not a one time project. Instead, it is the beginning of a life long addition to a business. Many times after a website is completed, an agency will offer a monthly maintenance option to help a business keep up with changes to their business, security and updates, SEO, and even possible marketing.

What kind of software will they be using?

Years ago, HTML was the king of creating a website. Today, that is no longer the case. With the new advances in technology, there are many different platforms to create a website on. WordPress, Squarespace, Drupal, and Magento are just a few examples. It is important that the agency help choose the best possible platform based on the requirements for the website and also how it will be used going forward.

How do they work?

Because creating a website is such a large project, communication is key. That is why it is important that the web agency has a platform for communicating updates and additional information that is required. The number one delay of a website build is missing information from a client. That is why it is so important that the web agency is able to offer an easy to use the platform to show progress and completed deadlines.

Is it the right fit?

There is no diagnostic tool to measure how compatible an agency will be for a business. This is why an initial call is required to help decide if it could be a good fit. While this initial call is not as formal as interviewing a potential employee, it can have a similar format. Be prepared to explain the project in detail and have a list of questions prepared to help decide if the agency is the right one.

What is the budget for the project?

Depending on how big of a website is needed and what types of software is required, the cost of creating the website can vary. That is why it is important to have a budget available for the creation of the website as well as any additional items that may be required such as domain names, annual hosting fees, premium upgrades, and custom designs.

Who will create the content for the website?

There are a few things that make a website unique. Company brands, colors, images, and content for the website are a big part of that. Even if the agency offers an option to have the content written, be prepared to answer several questions about the business, how it operates, and how it was started are things only the business owners can answer.

Whatever agency a business decides to work with, it is important to be ready to commit to working with them to build the perfect website for their business.