So you’ve decided to go down the wiser route and get a professional web development company to help you with your business’s website, that’s great! The next thing to do now is choose the best development partner, and this is crucial as the success (as well as cost-efficiency) of your site will depend largely on them.
Not every business owner knows the telling signs of a web developer that should be avoided, however, which could lead to them investing in the wrong partner and end up losing more money due to an inefficient site.
With that, here are some red flags that you should watch out for when choosing a web development partner.
1 – The Developer Overpromises
Extreme promises on the developer’s end, while nice to think about and definitely pleasing to the ears, is more often than not, only a set-up for disappointment.
Whether the rates are high or on the lower end, if the developer’s plans seem to unrealistic or too exaggerated given the time frame, such as “doubled traffic in a month” or “turn every visit into a conversion in less than a year,” you may be better off with a different developer, one that’s realistic in what they can provide your business.
With a more realistic (and honest) developer, your mind can be more at peace when investing in their services.
2 – They Focus Too Much on Aesthetic
While a visually-appealing site is important, it must be noted that customers today are more about user experience than anything else. What’s the point of a very pretty site if the customer can’t even find the navigation button, right?
If the developer’s pitch seems to focus too much on just the visual aspect of things, like color palettes or bouncing buttons, rather than taking into consideration matters like page loading time and how well it’s going to mesh with the content, then it’s best to keep on looking.
Remember that while a visually pleasing site is important, it’s only one part of a great site, and the other components shouldn’t be overlooked in favor of aesthetic.
3 – They Don’t Ask You Questions
When it comes to developing a site, factors such as SEO and your website’s copy are important factors, not to mention your overall goal with your website.
If your developer doesn’t ask you about your SEO efforts and the kind of content you produce as well as the direction you’re going for with your website (i.e. creating a full online outlet for your customers’ transactions or just an online catalogue), then you might end up not being on the same page at all, leaving you with a website that won’t work with the rest of your strategy.
A web developer that asks you a lot of questions, however, means that they’re actually noting what you want and what your business actually needs before they begin planning. Not only does it help build a more personalized site, but it helps you actually achieve your goal better in the end.
Choosing the right professional web developer and the best professional web development company truly matters. The success of your site and how well it matches your vision for your business relies on them, after all, which is why when choosing your web development partner, make the most of it and choose one that really fits you.
