Most businesses in this day and age rely on technology to get ahead. One thing that technology has done for companies is to put them in the face of a wide range of audiences. With technology, you can advertise your goods and services on different online and social media platforms.
A good website is very essential for any business that wants to leverage online platforms. However, it is not possible to have a good website without a good web design. So in this article, we will discuss the importance of a good web design and how to choose the right company for the design and development of a great site.
Contents
What Is Web Design?
This is what you see when you open a website online; it most often affects the experience that users have when they visit a website. In years past, web designs were focused on creating websites only for desktop browsers but since around 2010, these designs have been adapted for tablets and mobile phone browsers. It is still considered very important that websites be designed to fit mobile phones and tablet browsers.
When we talk of web design, it comprises of different disciplines and skills starting from the production of the website to its maintenance. These disciplines and skills include the following:-
- Graphic design
- User interface (UI)design
- User Experience (UX) design
- Authoring propriety software and standardized code
- Search engine optimization
These skills and disciplines sometimes overlap with web engineering in the wider sense of web development. That is why you would often see companies that advertise as not just web designers but web developers.
Factors That Make A Great Website
From the skill and disciplines that we discussed above, you can deduce that there a number of factors that make a great site. It is only by knowing what these factors are that one can make the right choice of the company that will deliver the desired outcome.
Below we discuss some of these factors:-
Aesthetics
There’s the saying that first impression lasts long; this is true physically and online as well. The website of a company creates the impression that a prospective customer will have about the company. Even when you do not say anything, your online presence is always speaking for you. Click here for more information on how to create a good first impression with your online presence.
Your customer’s perception of you will be shaped by their first visit to your site. You cannot afford to have an unattractive site just like a company cannot afford to have an unattractive workspace. Imagine a restaurant that the paint on the wall is peeling off and the floor is dirty with tables that were once white but now turning brown? Can you overlook that sight and go on to eat there?
That’s the same way it is with your online presence; people who visit your page on whatever platform it is must be captured by the aesthetics.
Functionality
Have you ever bought an attractive gadget that you didn’t understand how it works and that was difficult to use? You know the feeling of frustration? That’s what happens when you have an attractive website that’s not easy to use/navigate.
Below are factors that determine the functionality of your site:-
- Customer centric navigation and menu system
- Pages that load fast (people do not have the time or patience to wait around for a page to take its time loading). Check out this site to know how long it should take a page to load: https://www.searchenginejournal.com/
- Features such as maps, links, search and others should be up-to –date and work well.
- A secure http protocol that builds trust.
- Protected from spammers, viruses and hackers.
High Conversion Rate
If a site has the two features mentioned above but low or no conversion rate, then it isn’t worth the trouble. Conversion rate can also be said to be the result gotten from the site. Every website is created with a goal in mind, and this can be to build credibility, sell products, educate people or any other purpose.
It is important to know what the goal is even before the development of an online presence. This will enable you know how to go about the realization of that goal. A great site appeals to both the subconscious and conscious minds of people that visit it.
It balances the function of the site to the aesthetics to appeal to both the emotions and logical minds of prospective customers. The rate at which visitors are converted to customers determines how great your site is.
How to Choose the Best Web Development Company for You
Now that you know the top factors that determine what a great site is, you now need to get that company that will deliver these values. The following are some tips on how to go about making this choice:-
Visit the Company’s Website
Charity they say begins at home. If the company does not have a website that has the major criteria that we have discussed, then you have no business hiring them. Their site is the number 1 testimonial that you need to make your decision.
Let’s say for example you are considering working with a company such as IIAS web design, all you need to do is type their name into your search engine. This will show you how fast their page will load and you’ll also be able to check out other factors that we discussed.
Research
We cannot overemphasize the importance of researching prospective companies. In the course of your research look out for the following:-
- Years of experience
- Reputation
- Expertise in the field
- The range of services that they provide
Ask for Referrals
It is important that you ask for referrals, either from the company itself or people who have worked with them in the past. You can also get this information from the company’s website as most companies would put up a portfolio of previous clients. Also check out reviews that customers that they have worked for in the past dropped on their review page.
You can also visit third party sites that give unbiased opinions on businesses. Some of these sites include Yellow pages, Better Business Bureau, Google and Trustpilot.
Conclusion
What we have shared in this article, is just the basics of working with the best web design and web development company. We will like to state here that there is a difference between a web developer and a web designer. You can check out this site for more details.
To get the best company for your project, you need to know the difference between these two professionals. Additionally, you need to do your due diligence so that you can get value for your money. We believe that the information we have shared here is a good start for your research.
