It's easy for anyone to claim they're a designer these days. WYSIWYG editors such as Microsoft FrontPage, free hosting and design packages, free website templates and pre-made blog skins mean that it's possible to look semi-decent without any knowledge of coding or design principles.
However, for business critical websites you need an agency that understands design, e-commerce, HTML, CSS, dynamic scripts and languages, application development, web standards and search engine optimisation.
What to look for first?
First of all, any designer or web agency that you work with should be able to demonstrate a strong portfolio of previous work. There's no better way to judge the quality and experience of an agency than by seeing their work for yourself.
Of course, if a web design agency has been established for a long period of time, with a good selection of ongoing clients, this suggests that they offer a reliable, quality service.
What should an agency offer?
Web design is both a creative and technical skill. However, many people are baffled by the coding expertise and services a web design company offers. The best agencies offer a full range of business website services, but you should at least ensure they offer the following:
- Bespoke manual HTML and CSS coding (not from an editor or template)
- JavaScript, PHP, Flash and other dynamic scripts and languages
- Basic search engine optimisation (such as creating meta tags, titles, effective headers etc.)
- W3C-compliant code
- e-commerce solutions (such as shopping carts and secure online payments)
- Bespoke content management systems
- Offer social media functions, such as forums, blogs, comments and linking
Of course, you may not need every one of these areas for your website. However, if your designer can demonstrate ability in each skill it's a good sign that they're professional and competent.
Briefs and processes
When requesting a brief, the design agency should ask clear, insightful questions and answer any concerns or issues that you bring up. Similarly, they should make it clear how the project will progress.
For example, they may provide estimated time scales, details of key stages when draft designs can be approved, instructions for design amendments etc. Of course, all quotes and project details should be laid out clearly and leave nothing to chance. It should also be agreed in advance who will own the copyright of the design and coding upon completion. It's a common misconception that it automatically transfers to the client upon purchase.
How much?
Oliver Pluckrose is the Head of Development for Online Business Solutions UK Limited (OBS Group) - one of the most experienced team of website developers in London. Formed in 1998, OBS Group's ethos has always been to provide simple, end user-driven web design and e-commerce solutions for a sensible, fixed price.
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Word Count Appx. : 481 | Article Views 226 Published 02-02-2009