How to Find the Right Web Developer For Your Website

How To Find The Right Web Developer For Your Website

Websites are an integral part of any digital marketing strategy. A well-designed, fully optimised and highly functional website is the best marketing and lead generation tool that you can employ – at much lower costs than traditional means of advertising. And for eCommerce businesses, their websites are online shops as well. The key point here is a ‘well-designed, fully optimised and highly functional website’. There are lots of website builders that can give you a site in a few clicks. But it takes the skill of an experienced web developer to make a website truly useful for your marketing strategy.

So, how can you find the right web development company in Perth? By asking the right questions, of course! Here’s what you should be asking a web developer before getting into a web development project.

1. What projects have you worked on before?

A web development company’s portfolio will tell you almost everything you need to know to make a decision. Most web developers will have their portfolio on their websites, along with testimonials, if they’re available. Read through the portfolio and check if they have worked on websites belonging to your niche. Learn how experienced they are and if their work appeals to you. 

The company’s website itself can be used as an example of its work. Go through the website and check if you’re comfortable with its look and feel. Is it easy to navigate through the site? Can you find the contact details easily? Is the company on LinkedIn? Check if there are testimonials on the account as well.

2. Which CMS platform do you use to create your websites?

A content management system (CMS) platform will be the foundation of your website. There are dozens of platforms available to build websites on – WordPress, Squarespace, Wix, Drupal, and WooCommerce and Shopify for eCommerce are the most popular options. The pros and cons of each of these platforms vary.

Most developers have a preferred platform, even if they’re skilled in many. Since CMS is a crucial factor in determining the functionality and the efficiency of a website, you should be asking them which platform they use and why they use it.

3. How can I contact you?

Internet is a highly volatile space. Website designing businesses appear and disappear in an instant, making it harder to know if you’re partnering with a local start-up or a fly-by-night.

Before investing your time and money into a web development company, try to learn the company’s background.

Check if the company has been established at least a few years ago and has a consistent physical address across all social media channels. Knowing that you can visit the business location or contact responsible authorities if a problem arises will give you peace of mind.

4. What will you do to ensure my website is SEO friendly?

Search engine optimisation (SEO) is important to make your websites visible on the search engines and drive more traffic. Some developers claim SEO is a post-website building strategy which is more or less true. But there are a few things that need to be done before going live – mobile-friendly design, clear internal linking structure, and technical SEO are few examples. Most efficient SEO tactics are ones that are infused into the very core of your website.

Ask the developers what tactics they plan to use to make your website search engine optimised. Ensure that the tactics are white hat. SEO takes time to show results, so have a clear understanding of the techniques being adopted and how long they may take to show results. Here’s a guide to understanding SEO for business owners.

5. Can you guarantee that my website will be mobile-friendly?

Mobile-friendliness is a vital factor for Google rankings. Google has updated its ranking algorithm such that unless your website offers a good experience for mobile users, it will not rank well even if it is fully optimised for desktop/laptop use. Since most people use smartphones to view websites, if your website isn’t mobile-friendly, you could lose many potential customers.

When you hire a company to design your website, ensure responsive or mobile-first websites are the standard for them. Check if such sites require additional payments or not.

6. Will social media be integrated into my website?

Social media integration plays a vital role in establishing your digital presence. Social media platforms such as Twitter are quickly becoming equivalent to search engines and can drive a lot of traffic to your website. Having an account on all the major social media platforms also gives your business more credibility.

While a website can function fully without it, social media integration is a great value-add to your digital presence. Ask the developers for advice on using social media and if they can provide you with the service.

7. What are the options for web hosting?

Web hosting is a crucial aspect of website building. Though there are countless hosting platforms available, not all of them add value to your site. Check if the web developer’s service package includes web hosting. If it does, then ask them if web hosting is done on their server or a third-party server like GoDaddy. Clarify the cost details if it’s not a free service.

8. What is your fee structure?

Websites are a vital investment for a digital business. The cost for websites is as varied as the types of websites available. If you like a developer’s samples, then check if their fees are within your budget. Learn what exactly you’ll get for a particular package. Confirm if the payment includes maintenance fees or not. If the pricing structure is not clearly outlined and described, it is a red flag.

Check if minor revisions would cost extra, and if they do, ensure you can afford it before moving further. Ask what changes they’d expect in the fee structure after two years if you plan to go for a regular maintenance package.

9. How long does your web development take?

Web development is a craft that requires time for the best results. Though you shouldn’t rush the process, knowing and understanding the timeline is vital in finding the right web developer for your website. Different web development companies in Perth have different development durations. The timelines usually range from one month to a year. Since this depends on your business requirements, ensure you discuss it and only invest in a developer who guarantees a completed website within your deadline.

10. Do you have in-house graphic designers or photographers if I need them?

In addition to functionality, a website should also be aesthetically pleasing. Depending on the nature of your business, you may need graphic designer services or photographers for real pictures to be used on the site. While most web development companies in Perth may have in-house web designers, ask specifically if they have in-house graphic designers if you think you may need one.

11. Will I be the owner of the website?

A good number of website developers provide websites on a subscription basis – they “own” the websites. As long as you pay your monthly subscription, your site will remain live, but if you cancel the subscription, you’ll lose all your content with it. Check with the developer on ownership and ask if they are willing to give you a copy of the source code once the contract ends.

Confident designers would gladly give you the copy so you could migrate your site to another company in the future if you wish to do so.

The website building process is exciting but often stressful. The success of your website will be in the hands of the developer or designer you hire. So, it’s important to spend time understanding your requirements and find a developer who can promise you a quality website that meets all your business needs. Are you looking for a reliable web building team? Would you like to ask a few more questions? We are happy to answer. Contact us or email us at sales@computingaustralia.group to set up an obligation-free chat.

Jargon Busters

CMS: A content management system (CMS) is an application that allows users to create, modify, publish, and store content in the digital space.
Fly-by-night: A fly-by-night business is one that does not have a strong, established reputation.
SEO: Search engine optimisation (SEO) is a group of techniques used to make websites rank higher in the search engine result pages (SERPs).