If you're in the market for a new website, it's important to ask your web design agency the right questions. This will help ensure that you get a website that is effective and meets your needs. Not all web design agencies are created equal, so it's important to do your research before choosing one. In this blog post, we will discuss 10 questions that you should ask your web design agency before signing any contracts.
1. What Is Your Design Process Like and What Are the Steps Involved?
A web design agency's process can vary depending on its size, team structure, and type of project. However, there are some common steps that most web design agencies will take when designing a website. These steps usually include research, wireframing, designing, coding, testing, and launch. It's important to ask your web design agency about their process so that you know what to expect and can provide feedback at each stage.
Asking questions about the design process will also help you understand how involved you will need to be in the project. Some web design agencies prefer to work with clients who are very hands-on, while others prefer to take a more hands-off approach. Knowing what level of involvement your web design agency prefers will help you set expectations for the project.
2. Do You Have Any Previous Work or Case Studies That I Can Look at for Reference?
When you're looking for a web design agency, it's important to see examples of their previous work. This will give you an idea of the quality of their work and whether or not they are a good fit for your project. If the web design agency has any case studies, be sure to ask about them as well. Case studies can provide valuable insights into how the web design agency has helped other businesses achieve their goals.
3. Do You Have Experience Creating Websites for Chicago Businesses in My Industry or of a Similar Size to Mine?
Every Chicago web design agency should have a good understanding of the Chicago market and be able to share examples of similar projects they have worked on. This will give you a better idea of whether or not they are a good fit for your project.
If the web design agency is not based in Chicago, they should at least have experience working with businesses in your industry or of a similar size. This will ensure that they understand your specific needs and can provide you with the best possible service.
4. What Kind of Feedback Will I Be Able to Provide During the Design Phase, and How Often Will I Be Able to See Drafts of the Website?
The web design process can be divided into three phases: discovery, design, and development.
During the discovery phase, the web design agency will learn about your business goals, target audience, and what you want your website to achieve. This is usually done through a series of meetings or phone calls.
Once the discovery phase is complete, the web design agency will start working on the designs for your website. They will create draft versions of each page and send them to you for feedback. It's important that you provide timely feedback so that they can make changes to the designs before moving on to the next phase.
In the development phase, the web design agency will take all of the approved designs and turn them into a functional website. They will add in all of the content, images, forms, and other features that you need. Once the development phase is complete, they will launch your website and hand it over to you.
The web design process can seem overwhelming, but if you ask the right questions from the start, you can end up with a website that meets your needs and exceeds your expectations.
5. How Long Will It Take You to Create a Website That Meets My Requirements and Are There Any Additional Costs I Should Expect Later on Down the Line (E.g. Hosting, Domain Name Registration)?
A web design agency should give you a realistic timeline for how long it will take to create your website. They may need to factor in the time it takes to gather content from you, as well as any revisions that may be needed along the way.
Asking about additional costs upfront can help avoid any surprises later on down the line. Make sure to ask about hosting, domain name registration, and any other ongoing costs that you may be responsible for
This will help save time and prevent misunderstandings further down the road.
6. Are You Familiar With Both Front-end and Back-end Development, and Do You Have Experience Working With Popular Cmss Like WordPress or Shopify?
An agency that is proficient in both front-end and back-end development will be able to handle your project from start to finish, without the need to outsource any part of the work.
Additionally, if they have experience working with popular content management systems (CMSs) like WordPress or Shopify, they will be able to set up and customize your website according to your specific needs.
This can save you a lot of time and money in the long run, as you won’t need to hire someone else to do the job later on.
Asking about their level of experience and expertise is a great way to gauge whether or not a web design agency is a right fit for your project.
7. Do You Have Experience Creating eCommerce Websites and Are Familiar With Various Payment Gateways and Shopping Carts?
An eCommerce website is a great way to sell products or services online, and if your web design agency has experience creating them, they will be able to advise you on the best platform and payment gateway for your business.
They should also be familiar with different shopping carts, as this will make it easier for you to accept payments and manage your inventory.
If you're looking to create an eCommerce website, be sure to ask your web design agency about their experience and expertise in this area. They should be able to advise you on the best platform and payment gateway for your business, as well as being familiar with different shopping carts.
8. How Familiar Are You With Search Engine Optimization (Seo) and How Can You Help Ensure the Website Is Optimized for Top Rankings in Google and Other Search Engines?
The web design agency you choose should also be knowledgeable about SEO and how to optimize your website for the best search engine rankings. Ask them what methods they use to ensure that your site is visible to potential customers who are using Google and other popular search engines.
The web design agency you choose should also be knowledgeable about SEO and how to optimize your website for the best search engine rankings. Ask them what methods they use to ensure that your site is visible to potential customers who are using Google and other popular search engines.
9. What Kind of Support Do You Offer After the Website Goes Live - Will You Be Available to Make Changes or Updates as Needed, at an Additional Cost?
A web design agency you choose should also offer some kind of support after your website goes live. This is important in case you need to make any changes or updates to your website down the road. Be sure to ask about what kind of support they offer and if there are additional costs involved.
10. What Kind of Warranty or Guarantee Do You Offer on Your Workmanship?
Last but not least, you'll want to find out what kind of warranty or guarantee the web design agency offers on their workmanship. This is important in case something goes wrong with your website after it's launched. Be sure to ask about this before making your final decision.
Conclusion
Choosing the right web design agency for your business is an important decision. By asking these ten questions, you will be able to get a better idea of what to expect from a potential web design agency and whether or not they will be a good fit for your needs. Remember, taking the time to do your research now will save you headaches and money down the road!
Do you have any other questions that you think are important to ask a web design agency? Share them with us in the comments below!