TMDesign

There are so many website agencies around. How do you know which one to choose? Here are some of the things you need to consider to find the right one.

Everybody knows this: a website is important. Even if you are just an individual who is open to be hired for contractual jobs, you will still need a website. If you have the budget for it, it’s actually more practical to just hire a website agency. An agency comprises a number of employees with different expertise. In a way, it’s like you are hiring various people but just one time.

The main advantage of this is cohesion. The various experts from just one company have the same goal. They also have the same orientation in terms of marketing and branding. More importantly, the experts in this one company talk to each other. That would mean that even if they are creating different aspects of the website, they just have the same end goal.

Why do you need to look for website agencies?

What exactly do you need in a website?

Firstly, you need the website to be attractive.

Secondly, the website should be responsive.

Thirdly, photos and videos on the website should be of high quality and professionally taken.

Fourthly, the text should be written well.

There is more, but let’s stick to these main components of a basic website. All four of these aspects cannot be handled by just one person. They will be done by different experts and it would be such a great advantage if they just come from one firm.

That’s why, you need to check out various website agencies that could answer your needs.

But what should you look for in a website agency?

Impressive lineup of projects

Websites agencies have their own websites—it would be ironic if they don’t. So, check out their website and check out their portfolio. Every web firm would love to show off what they have already done. That’s their portfolio and you can see them on their website. It’s quite convenient. But don’t stop at just looking at their website. Go further like checking out the websites of their clients. If they are really as good as they say they are, then their clients’ websites would be top-notch as well.

Still, that shouldn’t be the end of your stalking. Go to their social media accounts. If you are looking for a website agency, Instagram is actually a great platform to look for possible partners. If you already have an agency in mind, then you definitely should check out their Instagram account.

Why Instagram? Because this is a platform that showcases creativity. You have to see how the website you are eyeing handles their Instagram account. Besides, when you already have a website, social media should soon follow. In fact, if possible, the social media accounts should be created in tandem with the website. Of course, if you already have a website agency, it’s best that they will handle your website and social media. This way, there will be continuity.

Browsing through website agencies’ websites and social media will also give you an idea if they would be capable of providing you with your needs. Surely, you will see outputs that are similar to what you are looking for. If you are satisfied with what you saw, it’s time to call for a meeting.

Strategic

Now that you have your meeting with the website agencies (yes, plural) you are eyeing, then you have to make sure they are strategic. Let’s digress for a bit. You need to check out more than just one firm so that you have choices. You can’t just make a deal with the first firm that you like. If this is real life, this means that you have to date first before you commit to just one.

It would be such an advantage on your part if you meet at least three website agencies so you can listen to their pitches. This way, you can choose which of them would really fit your goal. It’s important that the website agency is strategic. They can’t just pitch you an attractive website. They should be able to tell you why their website is the right choice. The right choice, of course, is the website that will increase market conversion.

You have to bring your own notes to the meeting. You can’t be blinded with the glitz and glamor of a beautiful presentation. At the end of the day, you are still a business—whether you are just an individual or you own a startup.

The goal is still to make a profit and the website is an investment. It is also a tool to success, which is why there should be a proper plan when creating a website. There should be a goal that the website should reach a great number of people from a wide range of backgrounds.

Instills branding principles

Hiring a website agency is a matter of partnership. It should not be a mere employer-employee deal, it should be a partnership. This is important because you want a website agency who will share branding principles with you. Rather than just impassively building your website, the agency should share with you the ideals to make the company successful.

On your part, you can’t feel bad when you are being educated. On the part of the agency, it’s just right to share this knowledge considering that the website would have to be instilled with branding principles.

As a matter of fact, when looking for a web firm, branding is something you should be asking for. This is also related to the strategic approach on creating a website. Branding should be integrated in the creation of the website because it is an important ingredient to longevity. Businesses without branding rarely succeed.

Marketing expertise

In relation to branding, it is also important that a firm has a firm grasp on marketing. Again, it’s still a business after all and a website is an important component of the business. It is just practical that it will also be used as a marketing tool. During the meeting with the website firm, you should be asking for marketing strategies that will be integrated in the website.

The thing is, most website agencies are really just concerned with creating a website. For startups, it’s really important that they choose websites that are well-rounded. We already know that a website is an important part of business. But we have to maximize its benefits in order to succeed in business.