Choosing the Right Company for Web Design
Choosing the right company for website design services is pivotal to your business’s online success. It is often a process that can induce panic and anxiety for most business owners. It is especially stress for new businesses, as it can be a significant investment when resources are limited. The reality is that is more costly to NOT do the right things.
I have seen countless examples where business owners made really disastrous discussions. Here is a short list of the most common mistakes most business owners make regarding website design:
- Building a website BEFORE they have a clear understanding of their business’ vision, mission and values, doing customer research to understand the problems and language of your clients, conducting SEO research, and not having consistent branding. They go from business concept to website. It is a mess and will need to be rebuild. We share more in the 5 Critical Steps to a Successful Business video, Click here to watch it.
- Trying to do it themselves. This is a horrendous decision. It creates frustration, ineffective design and will take longer than expected. Save the time and frustration by choosing a reputable web design partner.
- Have a “kid” develop their site. How many times have your heard, ” my son or daughter makes website”, “my neighbor is really good with social media, they can build it”, or any other way to “Save some money”. Let’s get real, you wouldn’t trust an inexperienced young person to do you taxes. Why would you trust your online image and reputation to one?
A well-designed website not only enhances your brand’s online presence but also drives customer engagement and conversions. To ensure you select the best website design company, it is essential to focus on specific areas such as deep customer research, clarity of your professional offerings, effective SEO practices, and a clear understanding of your website’s objectives. Just do the right thing from the start!
Deep Customer Research
Before embarking on any website design project, the chosen company should perform extensive customer research. This involves understanding your target audience’s preferences, behaviors, and needs. Deep customer research helps in creating a design that is not only visually appealing but also user-friendly and tailored to meet the specific needs of your users. This ensures that the final design resonates with your audience and supports user engagement.=
Clarity of Professional Offers and Services
You know your website is the digital face of your business. It is your first impression for new prospects . Just like a welcoming and well-organized storefront attracts more customers, a clear and professionally presented website invites visitors to stay, explore, and ultimately convert into paying customers.
It will not matter which web design company you choose if you can’t clear articulate what your offers or service is. Being informed and clear on what you and your business represent will guide a good web design company to a successful result. They should be adept at distilling complex services into easily digestible content that anyone visiting your website can understand within seconds.
Why Clarity Matters
When your services are presented clearly:
- Immediate Understanding: New visitors can quickly grasp what you do and how it benefits them, reducing confusion and the chance they’ll click away.
- Enhanced User Experience: A well-laid-out site with clear, concise information improves user experience, making navigation effortless and satisfying.
- Increased Engagement: Clear and compelling presentation of your services encourages visitors to interact more with your content, whether it’s signing up for a newsletter, requesting a consultation, or making a purchase.
- Lower Bounce Rates: When visitors find what they’re looking for quickly, they’re less likely to leave your site prematurely.
- Higher Conversion Rates: With all barriers to understanding removed, visitors are more likely to take the next steps in the customer journey.
How We Achieve Clarity
As your design partners, we focus on:
- Comprehensive Discovery Sessions: We start with in-depth discussions to fully understand the breadth and depth of your services. This isn’t just about what you sell but how you sell it—what makes your offerings unique and valuable.
- Research, Research, Research: First is customer research. We can show you how to do this, or we can do it for you. It is our strong recommendation that you do this work, you will gain important insights in to your customer’s experiences and challenges.
- Audience Targeting: With the research in hand, we tailor the presentation of your services to speak directly to your target demographic, using language that resonates and engages.
- Visual Storytelling: Utilizing high-quality images, intuitive layouts, and engaging videos that align with your verbal messaging to capture and hold attention.
- Simplifying Complex Information: Through infographics, bulleted lists, and well-structured content that breaks down complex services into manageable, understandable pieces.
- Clear Calls-to-Action: Strategically placed prompts that guide users towards taking action, whether it’s making contact, scheduling a service, or just learning more.
By ensuring that the website design company you choose excels in these areas, you’ll set the stage for a digital presence that not only captivates but converts. Remember, clarity in your online presentation isn’t just about looking good—it’s about making sure your audience understands and is compelled by your professional offerings the moment they land on your page.
Importance of SEO Research Before Development
One critical aspect often overlooked in the early stages of website development is SEO research. The design company you choose should prioritize SEO from the start. This involves researching relevant keywords, understanding search engine algorithms, and integrating SEO best practices into the site’s architecture. SEO research informs the structure of the site and enhances the user experience by making the site more accessible and navigable for both users and search engines.
Let me share an example. We were working with a doctor who wanted to refocus their practice on women’s pregnancy health, specifically preparing the body for a healthy pregnancy. In all of the discussions and directions, they used the term “Pre-conception”, and we build the site and content on this. Our mistake was trusting it was a widely used medical term. When the website did not get much traffic, we doubled back and did the SEO Research. The results? No searches for “Pre-conception” within the previous 6 months, zero! That experience taught us to do the SEO research first, no matter how much of an expert the client is. Most clients/Business owners don’t have an accurate grasp of the actual language their clients are using to search for their services, OR they are using keywords that have a high difficulty to rank for. For more information, please check out Squirrly SEO’s article on Keywords. Squirlly SEO is our preferred plugin for WordPress sites.
If this seems daunting, it can be. Learning to research and write for SEO engines while maintaining good sales/conversion copy is an artform. Fortunately, Great Things LLC can help with our Professional SEO and Copywriting Services. Contact us for more information and how we can support you.
Setting Clear Website Objectives
It’s crucial that the design company understands the primary objectives of your website. What are those objections:
- generate leads
- sell products
- provide information
By having clear objectives, design process will be smooth and efficient. It will deliver better results much faster. That also means less costly. This is why the right web development partnership is a critical component in your business’ growth and success.
Choosing the Right Company for Your Web Design Service
A great website development and support partnership will serve you well for years. As with other professional advisors, it is important to choose wisely. To choose the right web design company, look for providers who:
- Understands your business and it’s unique needs.
- Is aligned with your personal values and has a portfolio that reflects that too.
- Demonstrate a thorough understanding of SEO and customer-centric design principles.
- Have a robust portfolio that showcases a range of styles and solutions across various industries.
- Communicate effectively and show a clear understanding of your business objectives.
- Offer comprehensive services that include market research, SEO, and continuous support post-launch.
In conclusion, selecting the right company for your website design services is crucial for creating an effective online presence. It requires a blend of good design aesthetics, deep understanding of your business, and strategic SEO implementation. By focusing on these key areas, you can ensure that your website effectively reaches your target audience and meets your business goals.
Ready to transform your website into a dynamic, effective tool that drives growth for your business?
Don’t let another day pass without optimizing your digital presence. Contact me today for a free consultation to discuss your website needs. Let’s work together to clarify your offerings and enhance your online impact. Schedule your free consultation now and take the first step towards a clearer, more successful website!
