Choosing a web designer to create your website is a straightforward process once you know what to check. Here are the things you should check before signing anything.
Look at Their Portfolio Carefully
Instead of just looking at images of a designer’s previous work (very flashy websites), test out the live sites of their previous work. Test out how the websites load on various devices, including mobiles, and test out how easy it is to navigate around the different pages on the websites. You’ll be surprised at how some designers can make a website look very fancy in images, but in reality, the website is slow to load and contains a lot of unnecessary functionality.
Ask About Ongoing Support
Once your site has gone live and you have launched it, who will be fixing any problems that occur? Ask web designers what sort of support they offer and whether they have a maintenance plan in place for their clients, and what it might cost.
Check Their Accessibility Track Record
It is also important that any web designer in Exeter or elsewhere will ensure that your web site will work for people who use screen readers and also for people who use keyboard navigation to click on hyperlinks and buttons. Ask if they ensure that their web sites follow the WCAG guidelines.
Confirm They Understand Basic SEO
Basic knowledge of Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) is required. For example, setting up clean page titles, a proper heading structure, and fast loading times of web pages.
If you want Web designer Exeter, https://exeter.nettl.com/digital/web-design/ is a good place to start.
Gauge Their Communication Style Early
Check how quickly the web designer replies to your initial enquiry and read between the lines. Their initial response to your initial query will usually give you an insight into how they will work on your project.
Check What the Contract Covers
A simple project agreement sets out the timescales for a project, outlines what will happen with the completed website, covers what will happen if either party withdraws from a contract, and sets out the number of rounds of amendments that will be allowed.
Ask these questions early on and save yourself a heap of trouble later on!
