10 Questions to Ask Potential Web Designers (Part 3)
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Here are the last few questions in our series, Ten Questions to Ask Your Potential Web Designer. (Check out Part 1 and Part 2.)
7. Is my hosting included? Most web design companies do not include hosting or domain costs as part of their proposal. They often assume you already bought those things. If you haven't, ask if they have a preferred vendor and will they handle the upkeep for you or not. (While your web design should not be cheap, it's okay to take a cheap hosting route if your site is most informational.)
8. What kind of SEO (Search Engine Optimization) comes on my site? This question is related to coding, but often web designers will help you with keywords and meta-data as well. If they just look at you funny or suggest that basic SEO costs extra, run away.
9. How many redesigns do I get? A designer won't always get it right the first time, and even after the site is completed you might change your mind or see an error. But don't except to get to tweak the site eternally, then you are wasting your web designer's time (and patience). Make sure you know ahead of time. Also, be sure to hand over all your edits at once.
10. What kind of on-going services do you offer after the website is complete? Not all web designers offer on-going services. So know this up front. If you get a CMS you probably won't need much help afterwards, except for some training, be sure they provide this. Make sure you know what costs and what doesn't.
There are a lot more questions you should ask a web designer, but certainly don't walk into a purchase like this blindly. Find someone with good reviews and plenty of previous work that you can trust. Do a little research, have a good idea of what you want and keep an open mind. All of these things will help you create a positive web design experience.
Have a website? What do you wish you'd asked?