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The incessant development of web services led to the emergence of numerous web design studios that are engaged in website development and promotion, technical support of sites. Some studios offer high quality, reasonable terms and prices; others specialize in quick and cheap website development. How to make a choice? How to determine the professionalism of a web studio? Which web design studio to choose?
A couple of simple but useful tips will help you to make this difficult choice.
Tip number one. The first thing you should do is get acquainted with the own website of the web studio which you consider as the potential developer of your site. Do you like this site? Is the navigation accessible and easy-to-use? How quickly does the site load? How is it displayed in different browsers? Remember that the site of a web design studio is at the same time its face, its virtual office and the tool of self-advertising. If you didn't like the own site of the web studio, it is highly unlikely that you are going to like the results of its work on your site.
Tip number two. Don't forget to pay attention to the domain name of the web studio. What does it look like? What is the level of the domain? Usually good professional web design studios have the second level of the domain – www.site_name.com (.net etc). If the site URL looks like www.site_name.example.com, or even www.example.com/~site_name, it means that the web studio uses a free web hosting service. And now think: can the web studio that hasn't take care of the quality of its domain name become the contractor of your order? Of course the decision is up to you but web studios that use of a free web hosting service do not evoke trust.
Tip number three. Pay attention to the experience of the web studio in the web design services market. How long does the studio exist? Evaluate the number and quality of works completed by the studio; usually you can find them in the portfolio of the web studio. Give yourself the trouble to visit some websites from the portfolio (those which you like the most) and carry out improvised usability testing of these sites. And again, note if you really like these sites or they just are “the best from the worst”.
Tip number four. Make sure that websites presented in the portfolio of the web studio have really been developed by the studio. For that you should have a look at one of the bottom corners of the site – there you will see the so-called copyright, i.e. information about the studio that developed the site. Besides you can contact one of the companies whose sites are presented in the portfolio and ask to share personal opinion of the web design studio.
Tip number five. When the preliminary “virtual” acquaintance is over, it is high time for the “real” acquaintance. However, you shouldn't personally visit all web studios that you have found on the Internet; it will be enough to choose 3-5 web studios you have liked the most. Pay attention to the fact, that the specialists of a professional web design studio will most probably make an appointment in their office. It is a big advantage for you. Firstly, you have a chance to make certain that the studio has a decent office. Secondly, you will be able to decide if the office of the web studio and its employees correspond to the declared level and cost of works.
Tip number six. Keep in mind that “more expensive” doesn't mean “better”, and “cheaper” doesn't mean “more profitable”. The cost of website development is determined by the complexity of the project, time and labor costs. The services of large web design studios engaged in large-scale complex projects will be more expensive than the services of small web studios.
Tip number seven. Having become familiar with the task, the employees of a good professional web studio will most probably get to the discussion of the work issues at once. Maybe they will offer their solutions and give reasons in favor of them. If they agree with everything you say and don't try to specify technical details, if they are ready to get to website development there and then – you are most likely to have chosen a web studio of low professional level.
Tip number eight. Evaluate the competence of the staff of the web studio. If the studio employs a Jack of all trades who is responsible for web design development, coding, search engine optimization, content development and web promotion, your collaboration will not bring good results. If the staff of the studio includes specialists of every description, you may discuss your project with them and ask how they see it.
Tip number nine. It is better to pay attention to web studios that provide the full range of services: website development, website promotion and web advertising, technical support of sites, and web hosting services. Then you will not have to rack your brains when you need to improve or change the ready site.
Tip number ten. When the web design studio is chosen at last – sign the contract. Verbal arrangement is profitable neither for you nor for the web studio.
It is quite possible that you will find other criteria for assessment of the professionalism of web design studios. These ten rules are designed to guide you – the final decision is always up to you! And remember: if you value reliability, high quality, professionalism of performance, a professional web design studio, such as web design studio WebStudio2U is your choice!
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