Chicago web design
What's your web address? This is one of the single most important
questions asked in the marketing world today. In the past, it was simply
good enough to have any sort of presence online. With more and more
business being conducted over the Internet, however, a company's online
image can no longer be an afterthought. Today, the image that your
company projects online is just as important as the image it projects in
all other aspects of marketing - if not more so.
That is why it is important when designing or redesigning a company's
website to choose the right design firm for the job. Customers are web
savvy enough nowadays that they can easily tell the difference between a
website that was created in somebody's basement and a site that was
professionally designed by experts.
When researching Chicago web design firms, there are some key
considerations to keep in mind that will ultimately lead you to the
best-suited website development firm for your company.
Ask Around
One of the easiest ways to find a Chicago web design firm that will
create the website of your dreams is to ask around. Spend a week talking
to all of your business associates and ask them who did their website
and what kind of an experience it was. Chances are a shortlist will
begin to emerge from all of these conversations.
Another tactic is to look at websites online to see which styles match
what you are looking for. Looking at sites within your field ensures the
web design firm will already be knowledgeable in your industry, but
this is not necessary. Most of the top web design firms in the country
can create effective websites regardless of past experience in a
particular industry or geographic location. If you are in Houston or
Orlando, for instance, there is no reason to rule out web development
firms in New York or Chicago. Web design firms are experts in
communication and usually work with clients all over the world. The key
is choosing the right one for YOU regardless of location.
Start At Page One
Once you have established a shortlist, an obvious first step in
narrowing the field is to take a close look at the web design firm's own
website. It is important that from first glance their site stands out
from all the rest, especially in a competitive marketplace like Chicago.
Web design that is effective is typically very clean and easy to
navigate. Are all of the links working? Is the site engaging and
informative at the same time? Were you inspired to call or make a
purchase as you hope visitors will do when they visit your website?
Their attention to the details in their own site is a good way to
measure their professionalism and the attention they'll give your page.
The company should also provide a list of past and present clients. A
good Chicago website development company will want to show off what they
can do and will be excited to do so.
Talk To Past Clients
In addition to the sites of past clients, a good Chicago web design
company will give you a few past customers you can interview. It's
important to get a feel for how the developer works with customers. This
could be a long-term business relationship and you'll need to make sure
all your concerns are addressed before you begin.
Some questions to ask are:
o Was the site delivered on time and on budget? How long did it take?
o Did the designer listen to your ideas and needs or use a template?
o Were they able to handle e-commerce needs like shopping carts and online inventory management?
o Will they help set up a blog for your company?
o Will they allow you to update it yourself and teach you how to do it?
This will save your company time and money in the long run.
o How would you rate their customer service?
Search Engine Optimization
Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is more than a marketing buzz word. It
is a critical component of any online marketing campaign. If your
business depends on high search engine rankings and high online
visibility, then choosing a Chicago web design firm that specializes in
SEO is imperative.
When a website is designed without SEO in mind, it is rendered useless.
The only way customers are going to find it is through traditional
marketing of the domain name or online pay-per-click advertising - both
of which can prove costly over time.
chicago web design - An effective web design company can do so much more
than just design a new business website. In today's business
environment, a website is arguably a business's most effective marketing
tool. Choosing the web design firm with business knowledge, design
experience, and marketing insight can be the difference between a simple
web presence, and a top performing website.