What to Look for in the Best Web Design Companies in San Diego
According to multiple studies conducted over the past five years, between 75 and 90 percent of people visit a company’s website before deciding to visit or make a purchase. More importantly, around 75 percent of those customers admit that they judge a company’s credibility based entirely on its online presence.
In other words, do-it-yourself templates and fly-by-night web design aren’t enough. That’s why, regardless of size, businesses are turning to web design professionals.
Choosing the right web design company is an important decision. So, how do you know what to look for? At InnoVision, we’re experts. We’ve made a list of what to look for in great web design companies in San Diego. Every business has its own needs. These tips will help you find the best web design company for you.
A Great Portfolio
Your web design company should have a portfolio, so look through their work. Market research shows that over 90 percent of website first impressions are design-related and almost 40 percent of people will immediately stop engaging with a website if the content is poor or if the layout is unattractive. Put yourself in the consumer’s shoes when you view the web design team’s portfolio. Are the websites they built something you would engage with yourself?
You’ll also want to look for tailored content. If every one of the websites that the company builds looks similar, you’ll know that theirs is a one-size-fits-all approach. You need something that fits your business and stands out, so look for similar businesses to your own.
See if you like the approach they took in certain areas important to your own business. For example, if e-commerce is a large part of your business, click through to the shopping area of the websites they’ve built. Could you see yourself shopping on a similar website?
Pro tip. Check out their websites on your phone and from your computer. Any web design company worth its salt will push its clients to optimize their websites to work on both platforms.
Lastly, look for a broad range of businesses represented in the portfolio. An excellent web design team should have a real depth of experience. If you like what you see, set up a meeting.
Diverse Areas of Expertise
Professional web design is an investment in your future, so make sure that the company you work with can give you the complete package. Ideally, your web design team will include digital marketing experts as well as experts in user interface (UI), user experience (UX), copywriting, graphic design, search engine optimization (SEO), and content management systems (CMS). Not only do you want your website to look nice on the front end, but you need it to function seamlessly on the back end. Broken links and pages that won’t load will only drive customers away. Make sure you’re getting information from your team about all aspects of your website.
Most importantly, make sure your web design company has an experienced marketing team. A web design company without a marketing expert is like a beautiful painting in a dark, locked room. Why make something stunning if no one is going to see it? Active management is necessary to keep your online presence relevant. Your web design company should be ready and able to take over that function if it’s within your means.
Ultimately, the best web design companies should be able to give you options: a monthly maintenance plan to keep your website up to date, a simple tutorial on how to make edits yourself, or the full digital marketing and upkeep package. Make sure you work with a team that can provide its clients with choices tailored to their needs.
An Exchange of Ideas
You know your business best, and a good web design team will want to listen to your needs, the way your business runs, and your hopes for adding value to your brand.
When you’re creating a virtual space for your business, you’re also creating a partnership. If you feel heard and your team respects your expertise in your business’s day-to-day, you’ll know you’ve found the right fit.
The most important part of this is that information flows both ways. You’re an expert in your business. They’re the experts in web design. Look for a team that takes your ideas and expands on them. Every business person needs an outside perspective on their concepts and strategies. Ideally, your website should feel like a full collaboration.
If your web design team doesn’t expand on your vision with details about aesthetics, SEO, mobile optimization, and other specifics—that’s a red flag. There’s no point in hiring an expert that brings nothing to the table. Look for a team that challenges your ideas and informs you about what will and won’t work.
Hard Data
A web design company with experience will be able to give you numbers. Ask about the company’s track record. It should have figures on increased traffic, leads created by SEO, and return on investment (ROI) for its clients. In fact, access to this data is one of the best reasons to work with a web design team that includes marketing expertise. It’s the marketing department that tracks these goals and benchmarks.
Even if you plan to do your marketing in-house, a diverse team will be able to give you the information to help make your choice easier. A proven return on investment for its clients will show a commitment to the company’s reputation. It should also reassure you that you’ve made the right choice. Remember, your web presence is an investment. Any good investor wants to know the rate of return before they buy, and so should you.
Our experts at InnoVision are always ready to provide the facts and figures that prove our success. If you’re looking for the best web design company in San Diego, have a look through our portfolio or contact us for a meeting.
