5 Questions You Must Ask Your Web Designer

Having a website built for your business is exciting. Developing an online presence gives rise to a whole host of marketing opportunities; cyberspace can really give a new start up the boost it needs to succeed.

However, web design is often an expensive exercise. Creating a great site takes time; time costs money. If you are planning to have a website designed for your business, you want to make sure you are handing money over to the right person.

Before selecting a web designer, here are five questions you should always ask:

1. Do you use templates or custom design?

There is no right or wrong answer here; it depends on your business requirements. Websites created from templates are generally cheaper and therefore better suit the often restricted budget of a start up business. However, if you are after something unique that really stands out from the crowd and demands attention – and don't mind paying for it – then you may be better off with a customised design.

2. Do you have digital marketing experience?

If you are going through a web design agency, then it is likely they will also offer digital marketing services. However, if you are going through a private designer you need to ensure they have some knowledge of digital marketing.

<p.Why? Because a website is essentially a vehicle for digital marketing. How it is designed affects many things – from SEO and PPC through to the site's conversion rate. A great website is built with marketing in mind – and who knows, you might require their digital marketing services once the website is built!

3. Can you provide web hosting?

It's also important to note that when it comes to content, user experience still prevails over SEO requirements. Your content needs to address the needs of the user; they should to be able to find what they're looking for.

4. How long will it take?

In a lot of cases, most start ups have timeframes to adhere to. If you are getting a website built, make sure you are clear with regards to how long it will take before you sign on the dotted line. Typically, you should expect to wait about a month for your site to be built – if it's going to take a lot longer than this, alarm bells should be ringing.

5. What is the design process?

If you are getting a website developed, you want to make sure the design meets your business requirements. A good web design agency will have a process in place that involves a consultation, the production of a design brief and a number of examples, and then the opportunity to make at least some alterations before the final design is created.

<p.Of course, you also want to be clear on how much it is all going to cost – but we figure that question is obvious enough. These five questions are a great place to start when choosing a web designer; remember, the more questions you ask, the better the chance you'll find the ideal agency/individual for the job!