The choice of a website builder is often made in a similar way to any other service. You look at prices, a few jobs, maybe one more review and that's it. But a website is not just a pretty picture on the internet. It will need to explain what you do, convince someone to trust you and help them take the next step. That's why choice matters. Sometimes even more important than it seems at the beginning.
Choosing a developer is about more than just the job title. It's about understanding whether the person will be able to hear the purpose of the business and translate it into a clear website. This is normal. However, when choosing a professional, it's worth looking not only at what beautifully describes professional web development, but also at how they talk about process, goals and responsibilities after launch.
Look first at the questions, not the design
A good web designer doesn't start with colour. He or she first asks why the website is needed, who the visitor will be, what action the visitor will have to take and what information needs to be clear right away. If the conversation is only about fonts and animations, it is worth stopping. Pretty is not useful.
Before choosing a person, it is useful to have at least a brief outline of your own the objectives of the website. Then it's easier to distinguish between someone who is just selling a design and someone who is actually helping you get your website up and running.
For example, for a small service company, it is often more important to have a clear service structure, a user-friendly query path and a normal view on the phone than an impressive animation. This is where the process of building a website starts, not just the layout.
Evaluate previous work
The portfolio should not be seen as a beauty contest. Open multiple websites on your phone. See if it's clear what the company offers. Make sure you can quickly find the price, the services, the contact action. Does the page look like a nice but confusing poster.
If all the works look very similar, that's not necessarily a bad thing. Maybe the person has a distinct style. But if every project, whether it's a restaurant or a lawyer, looks like it's from the same template, then it's a question of whether the solutions are really applicable to the business.
- whether the website clearly explains the service
- how easy it is to find the main action
- whether the pages work on your phone
- whether the texts are written for a person and not just to fill space
- the SEO and technical background is visible
Price should not be the only criterion
The cost of a website can vary considerably due to the volume of work involved. Some include only design and technical assembly, while others help with structure, text, SEO and launch. For more on the logic behind the price, see How much does a website cost.
A cheap website can be a good solution if you need a very simple start. But a cheap offer becomes expensive when you have to rethink everything after a few months. And that's how it works. First you save money, then you pay to fix it.
See what the process looks like after start-up
A website does not expire the day it is uploaded to the server. It needs updates, backups, minor fixes, sometimes new pages or texts. It is therefore worth asking what happens after launch. Is there post-launch maintenance. Is it clear what you can change yourself. Will there be an explanation of how to use content management.
This is where an article about it comes in handy, how to prepare for the website development process. The clearer the preparation, the fewer misunderstandings later.
When the choice is probably right
It's a good sign when a conversation makes things clearer rather than more complicated. When a person not only promises a nice website, but also explains why they are proposing this or that structure. When they talk about the visitor, content, speed, SEO and follow-up.
If you are still preparing your request, it is also worth reading this article What to know before ordering a website. It will help you prepare for the interview so that the offer you receive is more accurate.
If you're considering who to build your website with, it's a good idea to ask yourself a few questions and compare more than just price. Compare the approach. It often determines whether a website is just done or actually useful.
If the choice revolves more around the type of design, it's worth reading the article template website or custom design. It helps you to assess when a quicker solution is enough and when it is better to design individually.
Check before choosing a developer
It's not just the price that's worth weighing up before making a decision. It is important whether the developer understands the business objective, asks about the content, explains the process, and can show work with similar logic. The cheapest offer is not necessarily bad, but it must be clear. What goes in, what doesn't go in, what happens after launch.
- the scope of work is clearly stated
- whether it is about content and structure
- whether the mobile image will be fixed
- an explanation of how corrections will be made
- know how to maintain the site after launch
If this topic is relevant, it is worth moving on to Website development guide for small businesses. Another practical addition is What to know before you book a website.
If you're choosing who should design your website, it's a good idea to start with a short needs assessment. Get in touch to discuss what kind of solution your business would need and what to consider before making a decision.
