So, you’re ready to build your new business website or even just create an online presence? Great! Websites have come a long way since their invention in the late 1990s, and today they can serve as virtually any type of platform imaginable: business networking sites, personal blogs, photo albums – it’s really up to you.
The first thing that comes into mind is “I should hire someone to design my site.” This might be true if your idea is complex enough that it needs more than simple HTML coding, but if it’s just a blog or personal networking site, you can usually do a good job of making one on your own.
Why does your business need a website?
First, because it’s the current fad among businesses. Chances are, if you don’t have one already, your competitors do (or will soon). But more importantly, a website is a way for people to get in touch with you or purchase your products and services.
And while your site will never replace a good salesperson or hard work in the field, putting yourself out there online is an important first step.
A website acts as an online resume: people need to know who you are, what you do and how to contact you. While your site is not likely to replace a business card or even email for the average business owner, there are plenty of instances where having a website can be much more convenient for potential clients than any other form of contact.
Do you need a web development company?
You may be surprised to know that many entrepreneurs have tried their hand at designing and developing their own websites. The emergence of several DIY platforms has allowed individuals to explore this process firsthand. However, most end up with a product much different than what they expected.
Most companies outsource the web development process, using companies that specialize in this kind of work. These full-service web design company teams usually have managers and marketers who are experienced with website development as well as software engineers and coders for actual site creation.
These companies will do everything from developing the design to promoting your website. The key is finding a reputable company with both the skills and experience that meet your needs.
What does a web development company do?
Your web development company will assist you in all aspects of designing, promoting and maintaining your website. They’ll not only design and build the site itself, but often oversee its maintenance and even help you promote it on search engines like Google.
A web development company offers a range of services, which includes:
Strategy and planning – Before starting your project, the company will discuss with you what are the goals of your website. A successful business website has to be interesting to its audience while conveying a clear message about its brand and products or services.
Design elements – The next step is defining the look and feel of your website. This includes the logo, colors, graphics style and its overall design layout.
Development – Depending on your needs, it may be just HTML or you may require more complex programming languages like PHP or Java that will move data between different pages to create more interactive features.
The coding process is also called web development and can include:
Front-end development – This is the part that makes your site visible to visitors. The front end refers to the HTML, CSS and JavaScript that creates everything visitors see when they access your website.
Back-end development – If you need a more complex site, you may require additional features like an eCommerce store or an administration panel where you can edit your website content. These features are often built using back-end languages like PHP or Java.
Testing and publishing – You may need adjustments during the process so before you publish your site, it’ll be tested to see if it works on all devices and browsers. Following this, a final product is developed that can be uploaded online for you and your visitors to enjoy.
Additional benefits – A great advantage of hiring a professional web development company is their expertise in search engine optimization, which can help you get a higher ranking on popular search engines like Google. If you conduct most of your business online, it’s often a must-have feature for an effective site.
Web design vs. web development
Web design is the process of creating a visual template for your site. If you want to have a basic, simple website that just needs content input and doesn’t require complex features or functions, then a web designer will do the job. They can also help if you need an online store or even interactive features like photo slideshows or forms.
Web development is a broader term that refers to the work of preparing your site for publication. You’ll need web developers to help if you want more complex features such as an online store, forms or eCommerce capabilities. As mentioned before, this stage also includes front-end and back-end development.
Many people are confused by the difference. The bottom line is that if you want a basic website, then it’s fine to hire both a web designer and web developer or just choose one provider depending on your budget.
How to choose a web development company?
Picking a good web design company can be tricky. It’s not always easy to tell a good company from a bad one. Although you may think that price is an indicator of quality, it isn’t always so and unfortunately many cheap web development companies provide low-quality work. In order to ensure that you hire the best company for your business, make sure to consider the following:
1. Is their portfolio relevant to your needs?
When choosing a web development company, one of the factors you should consider is their portfolio. It’s always a good idea to check their previous work so you can see how they’ve tackled similar projects to yours.
2. Do they have any industry awards?
Another good indicator of quality is if a company has won any industry awards for its work. If you can, it’s always preferable to hire companies who’ve been recognized by the web design community.
3. Do they have a strong reputation?
Another way of determining the quality of a web development company is by asking for recommendations from other businesses. You can ask your friends or business associates which companies they’ve used and whether they were pleased with their services. This is also a good strategy to find out more information about any potential vendors you’re considering.
4. Can you reach them easily?
It’s important to consider a company’s customer service and technical support. Can you get in touch with them easily and are they quick to respond? If you’re working on a tight deadline, it’s essential that your provider is reliable and offers fast support.
5. Will they be easy to work with?
Last but not least, ask yourself if you’ll want to work with the web development company on a regular basis. Remember that your site is an important online investment for your business, so it’s best to find a provider that can be part of the team and help you grow.
Conclusion
To build a great website for your business, it’s important to find a web development company that knows your business goals and offers the best solutions. Hiring an experienced team will ensure that you get top-notch services and products, so make sure to follow these tips and do your homework before selecting any provider.
If you’re looking for a professional web development company and want to learn more about our services, please feel free to contact us.