When choosing a web developer, it is important to ask the right questions.
Your website is often the first contact people have with your brand. So you want that first impression to be very positive. It is important to ask the right questions before you hire a web developer. You will have a greater chance of finding someone who shares your vision and can deliver the website and user experience that you desire. These are 16 questions to ask your next web designer (developer).
1. Did you ever work on projects that had similar goals to mine?
Your developer won’t be able to see what you envision. It is important to ensure that your developer understands what you want and can implement a process around it. You’re going to have problems if your developer isn’t familiar with e-commerce sites or hasn’t worked with many of them. Because of the additional research and planning required to make up for a lack of experience, it will take twice as long to build.
2. How does your research flow?
Your site should be easy to navigate for consumers. Your developer didn’t do their job if they leave confused. Did they do enough research on your target audience to know who to appeal to? Are they familiar with your brand and identity? It is important to go the extra mile to answer these questions in order to build a website that accurately represents you.
3. What is the average time it takes to complete a web development project from start to finish?
You should set a deadline for the completion of your website. It is important to work with someone who can finish your project in that timeframe. Different developers have different deadlines. While this is fine, you need to ensure that their schedules and availability are consistent with yours. It is important to maximize your budget and be on the same schedule.
4. What services are offered?
Different developers offer different packages and services. You have to decide which package is right for you. Do they use SEO techniques? What are their design capabilities? Are they able to offer social media services? You can make a list of all the services that you would like to be included in your agreement. Discuss each one with your potential developer. You can ask your potential developer if you need any additional features that they don’t offer so you don’t waste your time.
5. How does your SEO strategy look?
How can your developer use search engine optimization to get your website ranked in search engines? What will they do to increase their visibility? will the designer do an in-house SEO for you or will they outsource the service from other SEO Companies? It’s better to choose another option if your developer doesn’t intend to use keyword research and other optimization strategies for your business’s lead generation and engagement. Your website’s purpose is to be a place where people can explore, find interest and convert. Without SEO, a website is doomed to failure.
6. Can I make edits by myself?
Websites evolve over time. It is important to clearly outline the editing process. You need to outline the editing process. You should find out which tools and software they will give you to help you decide if this venture is worth your time. After the developer is finished, you decide how much editing access to your site you want.
7. Are you a part of a content marketing program?
Your web developer may create a website for your business, but that doesn’t guarantee it will generate leads, convert visitors or increase ROI. Ask your web developer if content marketing is included in their package. A content marketing package can provide many benefits. These include optimization of all content, visitor engagement, and quality content that ranks high in the SERPs. You don’t need to pay attention if you already have a content strategy for your company.
8. Do you have any references or clients I can reach?
Talk to past clients and referees to get an honest, objective opinion on how it is like working with your potential developer.
9. What are your expectations of me participating?
Consider how involved you would like to be in web development. Are you willing to have a say in major decisions or leave that up to your developer? It is also important to understand what your expectations are of your involvement. Otherwise, you will not get the results that you desire.
10. What is the cost of a project with this scope?
Each developer has a different rate. Do your research before you commit to a budget and what you are willing to pay. Do not choose the cheapest developer you can find. You will end up with a site you don’t like. It is better to invest in a quality job than to save money and end up paying more later.
11. Are you more likely to outsource or do you complete the project in-house?
Sometimes, a web designer or agency might offer multiple services, such as content marketing or social media packages, but they don’t have the staff necessary to complete the project. They outsource the work to third parties, which can lead to project delays, poor communication, and additional costs. Ask web developers if they are willing to work with third-party or in-house developers before you sign up. You may be interested in working with a web developer who outsources certain aspects of their work.
12. What assets should I provide?
Collect all your company branding assets before you work with a web developer. These assets could include logo files, fonts, and colors, as well as brand guidelines documents. Meet with a web developer to determine who will deliver the content, photos, and graphics for your website. These elements may be created or provided by agencies and web developers, but the cost of this work will be included in your invoice.
13. What is the timeline for this project?
It can be hard to predict how long a web design project will take. This is especially true if there are changes in the scope or major edits that need to be made. You will lose out on potential clients and customers if you take longer to build a website. Ask for a timeline detailing the project and milestones that will lead to a launch date before you sign an agreement. Finally, establish a communication plan with the developer to communicate the progress of the project.
14. Are you able to offer both templates and custom websites?
A web developer or agency may offer both template and custom websites, depending on your budget and needs. Although a template website can be very affordable, they are often not compatible with all types of websites and may have clunky code that could negatively impact its overall value. If your website template has multiple plugins, it can cause your website to crash if one fails. Template websites can also have a “cookie-cutter” look that visitors will appreciate.
A custom website, however, is a site that has been designed specifically for you and includes only the code you require. A skilled web developer can make your website more efficient and clean on the backend, which will result in improved performance. Custom-built websites can be more expensive and take longer to create. No matter what kind of website you order, ensure that your web developer can create both templates and custom websites. Don’t worry Elegant Codes is good at both.
15. How many design revisions can I make?
Working with third parties means that their first draft of the project may not be your favorite. To limit project creep, many web developers and agencies allow for a certain number of revisions during the approval process. Know how many revisions you are allowed to make before signing an agreement. Also, be aware of any additional fees for future revisions.
16. Are you charging by the hour, milestone, or fixed fee?
It is important to know how much you will pay for the work of a developer. Additional fees can quickly make a project that was reasonably priced into a high-end, costly website. You will be able to have more control over the final result, but it can lead to going over budget. A web developer that charges a fixed price will help you keep within your budget and provide a quick turnaround. A milestone fee is a good compromise between hourly and fixed costs. However, you need to be careful about your budget.
Wrap it up
It takes time to find the right web developer. However, knowing your goals and keeping the customer in mind will increase your chances of finding someone who fits your needs. It is important to find a web developer who will understand your brand and help you achieve your goals. Asking the right questions will help guide you in finding the perfect design company. Elegant Codes is the leading web design company in Tanzania and we are here to help you answer all these questions before we develop your website. Call us today at +255 747 95 66 66.
