As a business owner, you know that developing a functional, visually appealing and innovative website is an important part of your business strategy. When it comes to choosing a company to develop that website, you have a lot of choices. Here’s how to know you’re making the right one.
What to Look for When Choosing a Web Development Company
See how your prospective web developer compares to our list of six ideal traits.
1. They Make Coding Central
Most people put a lot of emphasis on the way a website looks. A great-looking website is important, but it’s not enough.
What makes a website work? It’s the coding.
The heart, soul and brains of every website is in the coding.
You should look for a company that makes its technical team of coders and developers a key part of their planning and strategy from day one. You’ll get valuable insights from the technical team and learn exactly how they’re going to get your website up and running.
2. They Have a Record of Success and Accomplishments
As we all know, the best predictor of future behavior is past behavior.
Ask the company for a portfolio of their past assignments. If they’re proud of what they’ve done, you’ll see a display of the websites, applications and other technology products they’ve developed for past clients. You’ll also be able to determine if they use the same old template on every project or if they truly work to develop a unique solution for every customer.
You should also look at what the client’s initial problem was and how the team solved it. Does the solution present an innovative approach? Is it something that would work for you? If a website development company has a history solving its customers’ problems, they’re probably a good choice.
Top Reviews and Rankings
Part of a company’s history is how it’s rated and reviewed. Your web development company should have a solid record of positive reviews from customers and top rankings on independent technology review sites like GoodFirms and Clutch.
3. They’re a Genuine Business Partner
Does the developmentĀ agency just work for you, or are they willing to be a true collaborator in your business success? Look for a nashville web development company that understands what your business needs to succeed and is willing to work with you toward that goal.
A true partner in your success wants to know your plans, goals and dreams for your business. When you hire a website development company, look for one that has a solid record of achieving measurable goals for their clients.
4. They Showcase Versatility and Variety
When you look at a web development company’s portfolio, does it look like they do the same type of job over and over? Or do they have a portfolio that shows amazing versatility and variety?
Are they using the same, one-size-fits-all template for every customer? Do they even understand the difference between B2B and B2C websites?
You might be tempted to use a website development company that specializes in your field. While that might seem to make sense, you should be careful about limiting yourself to a company that might have a limited set of solutions. Look for a company that shows they are flexible enough to work in any industry.
5. They Keep Up With Technical Knowledge and Trends
The global technology marketplace moves at lightning speed. Is your website development company keeping up?
You should be able to see that the company you’re hiring stays on top of technology and tracks every trend. You need a website or an app that can be instantly updated to reflect changes in technology or your business needs. You don’t want one that will become obsolete or nonfunctional. Look for a company that’s leading those trends.
6. They Show Creativity and Independence
By nature, most people in the website development business are creative and fiercely independent. That’s what makes them able to develop new ideas and new approaches.
At the same time, you want to work with people that are highly professional in their business dealings. Look for a company that conducts itself with professionalism, integrity and honesty.
How Does Your Website Development Company Stack Up?
Picking the right website development company shouldn’t be a struggle. When you look at a prospective company, see how they measure up to these six traits. If they hit all six, you’ll know you’re making the right choice.