In Chicago, web designers are everywhere, as they are in most major cities. Modern businesses need a web presence, and with the ever changing world of technology, most hire a professional web designer to do the job for them. But what questions should you ask your prospective designer before hiring them?
What’s the length of your Contract?
You should ideally look for a company who can offer you a 12 month contract. Some firms will try to tie you in for 3 years, but with the rate at which technology is changing, you risk the company falling behind and becoming complacent, forgetting to update your site regularly. Far better to opt for a 12 month contract and then review their service.
Do Changes Cost Extra?
There’s no doubt about it, you’re going to want to tweak and make changes to your site as time goes by. Every web design company handles changes differently – whilst some will offer an all-inclusive price, others will charge separately for every change, and if you’re constantly adding new products or information to your website, this could quickly become expensive for your business.
Can you Provide Examples of Work?
As well as looking at a web designer’s portfolio, you should ask them to send you links to five websites they have recently worked on. Take your time to visit these sites and look around with a critical eye; click on links to check they work, look for visible errors, and get a feel for whether the graphics and text fit seamlessly on the page and the overall design of the site. Don’t be afraid to call these companies to discuss their web design experience first-hand – after all, this is the best way to get honest feedback on the Chicago web designers you’re considering hiring!
Will I Own the Website and any Content?
It’s vital to ask this question before working with any web designer. Beware of ‘buy-back clauses’ – in essence this means that you continue to own the website by paying a monthly fee to the firm, but as soon as you decide you no longer need their services, they will try to sell you website back to you, often for as much as up to $25,000!
Can you Show me Examples of Mobile Websites?
We’re changing the way we browse the web – smart phones and tablets are now used as much if not more so than laptops, netbooks and desktop computers, so web design has to roll with the punches. Always ask how much experience your potential Chicago web designers firm has with developing and designing for mobile platforms. Don’t forget to check out these websites from a smartphone or tablet to see the quality of design provided.
By asking these questions, you can be sure of hiring the perfect web designer for your project – just remember, go with your gut and choose a company you will feel comfortable working with!
