Consider These Things When Hiring A Website Design Company

Hello Indies!

I wrote this post for my blog, but since decided the Indie Social Network would be the most beneficial place for its publication:

Several months ago I announced here, and in our newsletter, that we were designing a new website.  After a lot of thought, we decided to put a halt to the project.

As a business owner I learned a lot through the design process:

• hire a company that understands your brand
• hire a company that understands websites should not look like pre-designed templates
• hire a company that understands small business (and your industry)
• hire a company that allows a fair amount of one-and-one service as part of the design package (and does not leave their communication to online "help tickets")
• if the website re-design does not feel right from day one, do not assume the designer understands the marketplace better than you do
• if the design does not feel right to you, make sure you think outside of the box, but also remember that "your brand" is your brand.  Note:  if you are not comfortable, if you do not like the design at all, your customers will more-than-likely not like it either.

Why am I sharing all of this? I do not need to.  No explanation is needed at all.

I do want to share the experience, however, with other small business owners that may be considering a website, or a re-design.  Think all of these points through before you lay down any dollars, and once you lay down your dollars, stick to your guns.

I recommend you shop around for other independant small business web-designers.  A good site to look for one (especially if you handcraft your products) is the Indie Business Network (IBN) (http://indiebeauty.com/).  I am a (very supportive) member of IBN.

Mary

Annie's Goat Hill Handcrafted Soaps - Smell and Feel the Goodness!