What is your design process?
It’s important that your web designer has a clearly defined process that they follow to ensure your success and happiness. We utilize the 3 C’s of good design (Contrast, Composition, and Content) …but we do them in reverse order. Doing them in reverse order is crucial to making your website work for you. If your website is built around the goals of your company and the content is based off of your goals, then the new website will display those goals effectively.
Can you give me a breakdown of what the cost of the website includes?
Be sure you get a detailed proposal along with a Service Agreement or Contract prior to beginning the project. You want to make sure you know all of the fees and costs of the website before signing a thing!
How fast will my newly designed website be?
If you want your website to be found, it needs to be fast. Google now favors fast websites in their search results. Check the website speed of the company you are considering working with at: https://pagespeed.web.dev/ If the website of the company you are considering scores less than an 80 – run! Don’t walk. 😉
What happens when I want to make content changes on my website?
With the abundance and affordability of CMS (Content Management Systems), it really makes sense to have your website built using a CMS which gives you the ability to make content changes to your website without any coding knowledge rather than needing a coder to make changes every time you would like an image or text changed out. Some of these options are Drupal, and WordPress. Some of those content changes that you should have the ability to change out without having to pay a coder would be images, titles, or adding people to your Meet the Team section.
At Ugly Mug Marketing we have created our own Content Management System with an admin panel that is as easy to use as Microsoft Word. This is an example of one of our admin panels. Each image is editable, and the text is editable by the site owner without having to know anything about coding.
How many websites have you developed utilizing Your CMS?
Ideally, you want to work with a designer who has designed/built at least 6 websites utilizing their chosen CMS. You don’t want them experimenting and learning on your dime, do you?
Can you provide references from 5 companies for whom you have built websites?
Look for specific comments regarding the design and building processes. Be sure the references have positive things to say about them. If you would like to see our reference book, shoot me an email and I can send that your way.
Can you give me a list of at least 15 websites you’ve built?
Be sure they have a strong portfolio. If they don’t…ask why.
Who will own the Intellectual Property Rights to my website?
With some companies, you have to pay them a monthly fee and the second you stop paying them your entire website is taken down. If you’re paying someone to design and build your website, don’t you want to own it? It’s shocking how many designers try to maintain ownership of the design and source files. Be sure they agree to give you all the Photoshop files, as well as the code source files.
Is the website portable? (i.e. Who can host the website?)
You’ll want to be sure you can host your website on any server, with any major hosting company. Hosting is where your website is housed/parked. This will help ensure that your designer/coder doesn’t use some “extinct” programming language. Don’t be limited!
Is the website scalable? Can we add additional pages or features in the future?
As your business grows so should your website. Be sure that your designer builds a site that will allow for expansion without having to be completely redesigned. Think about your goals for your company in the next 5 – 10 years. How do you plan on growing – those should be top of mind when you’re thinking about the design of your website.
How long will it take to design, code, and implement my website?
You’ll want to find a happy middle ground here. If they are promising a quick turnaround, chances are they will be using a template for your website. If the time frame is too long, it’s usually a good indication they don’t have good processes in place. Normally for our Ugly Mug Websites, the total time spent is somewhere between 6-12 weeks depending on the complexity of the site.
Will a template be utilized to design my website?
If you’re paying for a custom website, make sure you’re getting a custom built site. Unfortunately, some designers charge for custom design and then utilize a website template. You can test this by asking if there will be any limitations with regards to your design. Make sure your custom site is custom.
Will you be able to design my site to look exactly how I want it to look?
If it is a custom site, the designer will have the ability to create a design from your ideas. Designing your website to our taste is good, but wouldn’t it be better to design according to you – the client’s – goals? Be honest with your feedback when talking with your designer!
