TOP 3 WAYS TO VET YOUR WEB DEVELOPER
Congratulations, you’ve started a business, bought a domain, and are ready to create your website. Do you use a template on Godaddy, HostGator, or use an agency to help coordinate everything for you? If you are truly serious about growing your business, you won’t have time to learn code, create your website, and then be its webmaster.
Turning to a reputable web developer for your website can be the best investment you make early on in your business. It is also good to have a reputable web developer if you want to rebrand or (finally) offload the webmaster duties.
Read on for the top three ways to vet your web developer before engaging.
LOOK AT SAMPLES OF COMPLETED WEBSITES
No two sites are created equal. If they are, then one of them may be penalized for duplicated content. Some developers specialize in legal websites, while others specialize in eCommerce websites.
You should align with a web developer that understands the best practices for your industry. He or she will know where the Contact information should be if you should have chatbots, and how to encourage the visitor to engage your call-to-action.
Ask your developer for a portfolio of completed websites so you can understand their common vision and approach.
DOES YOUR WEB DEVELOPER OFFER MORE THAN JUST A WEBSITE?
Rest-assured that a reputable developer will understand the importance of your website. Just like it is not enough to have a front door of your physical office, it is not enough to simply launch a website.
Here are several offerings a reputable web developer will offer without needing to ask:
- Google Analytics integration
- Yoast SEO plug-in, or something similar
- Access to create and publish blogs
- Information on plug-in updates
- Optimized load times for desktop and mobile
ASK YOUR WEB DEVELOPER TO SPEAK WITH FORMER AND CURRENT CLIENTS
One of the best indicators of future potential is past successes. Sometimes you don’t know what you don’t know until you have to know it. If this is your first time working with a web developer, you might not know what to ask.
ASK YOUR WEB DEVELOPER TO SPEAK WITH THEIR OTHER CLIENTS. A SIMPLE 5-MINUTE CALL CAN HELP YOU UNDERSTAND:
- How involved do you need to be? — You are hiring them to make things easier, not harder.
- What can you expect in the process? — How many revisions? How responsive? What do you need to provide?
- Are they happy with the finished product? — Do they have regret or ultimate praise?
- What would they do differently? — Just like you, they might not have known what to expect when starting to work with the developer.
While there are many reasons to choose a web developer, or run, be sure it is the right personality fit for your business. Creative marketing and development agencies that specialize in your industry can help guide you in a more personalized way.
Once you decide on your web developer, trust the process. If there are red flags at any point you are entitled to speak up and advocate on your behalf, remember, this is your business, and you need to choose partners that will help you along the way.
For more information on web development, content, and strategy, reach out to MDINC.
