10 Things to Consider When Selecting a Web Design & Development Partner

A website is a critical element in your marketing plan. It is a powerful conduit between you and your customers, enabling you to reach them with relevant messaging at any time, any place. Your website can also provide powerful functionality for you and your customers, so consider thinking beyond an online brochure. Regardless of your objectives, we recommend carefully evaluating several aspects of your website project when selecting a website development partner.

Know Your Team

Is web design and development their specialty? How many website developers do they employ? Will they do the work themselves? Are they outsourcing any part of the project? Take the time to meet the web design and development team so you can be confident the project will be collaborative. Be cautious if you are unable to work directly with web designers and developers. Ask for partner references and talk to those references about their experience with your potential partner. It is also important to have marketing expertise on your web team to ensure that your site appeals to your target audiences. At UNANIMOUS, we have an expert team of web designers and developers in-house who are ready to listen, strategize, and make your website a success.

Consider History

Assess how long the web team has been in business and whether they will be around if you encounter a problem in the future. Consider each team member’s amount of experience and make sure you know who will be working on your project. A firm’s history and integrity are critical and should not be taken for granted. UNANIMOUS has been in business since 1979 and has been in web development for over 20 years. Our long history and client commitment ensure that we will be here when you need us.

Take a Test Drive

It is essential to experience the software you will be using before you buy. Just because a web developer says a content management system is intuitive does not mean that it will be for you or your staff. Working with the software ahead of time enables you to be more confident about customizing your website once it is built. Always ask for a hands-on demonstration. UNANIMOUS is happy to give you a free demo of our software and discuss any questions or concerns you might have.

Understand Your Options

One decision you will need to make is whether your website will be built in open source software (like Drupal and Wordpress), licensed solution, or proprietary software. Each has its advantages. Take the time to understand each option and what system is the best for your company. The UNANIMOUS team will consult with you, help you weigh the pros and cons of each option, and ensure your website is built in what will work best for you over the long term.

Do Not Settle

Will the company build your website be using or merely modifying a pre-existing template? Too often, a website can end up looking very “cookie-cutter” or a little generic. Your website is likely to be your first impression, and you need to make sure it accurately represents your brand. At UNANIMOUS, our graphic designers work closely with the web development team to make your website is custom designed, visually compelling, and functionally superior. Our in-house marketing expertise ensures that your site appeals to your target audiences. Design with a purpose makes web experiences exceptional, and you should insist on it.

Timelines Matter

Ask how long it is going to take to build your website. The web team should develop (and follow) a detailed timeline with key milestones that keep the project on track. With the nimble UNANIMOUS team of designers and developers, your website can be live sooner than you think.

Account For Growth

A well-designed and thoughtfully developed website should grow with you. Confirm that the design and functionality of your website will be expandable and scalable as your business expands and changes. It is less expensive to build a reliable website now than to create a weak one that you will have to redevelop in only a few years. Consider the value of creating a website that you can grow into. UNANIMOUS will work with you to understand your goals and vision for the future.

Believe In SEO

Today most people know the power of SEO (search engine optimization). What you may not know is that some content management systems work better with search engines than others. The UNANIMOUS web team can talk with you about ways to improve your results with search engines and instruct you on how to maintain it for the best results in the future.

Security, Maintenance, & Support

Make sure to choose a team that can provide you with security updates, maintenance, and support. It’s important to know what goes into the upkeep of your website. If security updates and patches are neglected, it’s likely that your website will be compromised. It’s also important to understand the policy on bug fixes and talk to your provider about their support rates once the project is complete. UNANIMOUS is extremely responsive when it comes to support requests. We offer various plans and options that provide peace of mind when it comes to site security and maintenance.

Think Big Picture

A website is only as powerful as the positioning and branding that support it. At UNANIMOUS, we have the expertise to assist beyond your web project. With our branding, marketing, and web design experts, we can create and execute an intentional marketing strategy that will propel your company forward. Fast.