3 Simple Steps in Choosing the Right Web Page Design Company (Part 1 of 2)

It used to be a lot harder to choose the right web page design company to build a small or medium business website.  Not so, anymore.

According to Kathie Adams, Director of External Programs at RiaEnjolie, Inc. (www.RiaEnjolie.com) a New Jersey web page design company that specializes in websites for most small and medium businesses, “The vast majority of small and medium business owners seem to be most interested in getting a website that is search-engine-friendly; includes industry-specific content and offers them top-notch designs and webmaster support – all at affordable prices.” 

Sure, the so-called boutique web developers and designers still charge an arm and a leg for websites with lots of bells and whistles; many of which you probably don’t even want or need.  But, it now seems there are reasonable alternatives to selecting from among them. 

Adams goes on to explain that her company has focused its expertise in “delivering personalized services and professional web designs at affordable prices.”  This has made RiaEnjolie a Top 10 quick website solutions company in a newly released Top Ten listing by Top10tag.com.

Effective Websites Do Not Need Bells & Whistles; Just Great Design and Rich Content

Is anyone doing themselves a favor by building a website ”featuring” one of those annoying and time wasting flash video introductions?  You know…the ones, which most of us choose to skip over so that we can get to whatever CONTENT it is we are really looking for?  

Inevitably, when the concept of flash animation is first presented to you, it may seem as though it might impress your customers.   In reality, it probably will annoy them more than anything else. The search engines aren’t too thrilled with Flash technology either (it confuses some of them).  But, the decision to use it is a personal one.  It just requires some further investigation and thought on the part of the business owner considering its possible use.

Then, there is the issue of whether the firms you are considering are web developers or web designers.  There are some major differences here.  Design firms are often more creativity oriented, while developers are usually more technical in their approach.   It is well advised that you learn more about the individual website company; consider the complexity of your needs; and then decide which firm can best meet them. 

As a small business owner, do you really require a developer to custom-build complex databases or program sophisticated and specialized applications for your website?  Such efforts may cost you tens of thousands of dollars.  Many such applications may already be available as off-the-shelf software packages or even as free widgets available as Web downloads.  In fact, I am sure that some of these application widgets are already included in website packages offered by some of the online design firms you may already be considering to do the work.

Most smaller and medium businesses are mainly interested in a professional looking, content rich website that can be easily found on the Web by the popular search engines and within the more en vogue local directories.  These latter requirements are usually best met by many of the mainstream web page design firms, rather than just the expensive boutiques.

 Your Customers “Think Globally, Act Locally.”  Will they find you?

There is another concern to be had with many of the companies that design and/or develop websites.  While they may build you a pretty website and load it up with lots of seemingly cool features you don’t really need- at the point of parting company – will they also offer you help or advice on how to be easily searched for and found on the Web by local and/or global consumers? 

Most likely they will not.  If you ask them about search engine optimization services they will most likely drop a few names for SEO consulting firms that will gladly help you.  Unfortunately, they will also be adding significant cost to your overall program and bust your limited budget wide open. 

By the way, did anyone mention website hosting services to you?  Very often that is also a separate service that you may have to select on your own and pay additionally for.

Yes, creating a web site can be a tricky and expensive business for many people, who lack prior experience with this sort of thing.  And, choosing the right web design company to help create your website is extremely important, especially if you want to get everything you need without falling prey to spiraling, unanticipated costs.

Your Website is at the Heart of Your Entire Social Media Marketing Enterprise

One of the most important aspects of your business marketing strategy is your website.  Finding the right people to design it for you certainly deserves that a little upfront homework be done by you.

Today, you will find a handful of online web design services, which offer quickly prepared, professional looking and affordable website solutions that meet the needs of most small and medium business owners on very limited budgets.  Many of these quick website solutions are designed especially for the type of businesses contemplating their use.   Frankly, it is amazing just how much is being offered by this newer generation of quick website design firms that was once only part of the very expensive domain of the much more champagne boutique web design and development houses.

It seems that these quick website solutions companies are working very hard to offer more and more services and to also uncomplicate the lives of busy small businesses owners, who just don’t have the time to devote to something that can be both frustrating and time consuming.  In fact, during the past couple of years several of these twenty-first century web page design companies have even moved to package together their website design and website hosting services.  Many have done this in order to be ableto offer added convenience. They are also doing this to to provide for their customers a bit more added value . Their clients seem to be appreciating this and are availing themselves of such offerings, increasingly.

Your Homework Will Earn You an “A” in Making the Right Choice

All this having been said, the homework you, as a small or medium business owner still must do, involves more than just “eenie…meenie…minee…mo-ing” which of the quick website solution companies you will use.  In fact, there are some simple steps to follow – only three: 

• Layout your goals
• Agree on your budget
• Pick a web design company that includes web hosting services.

We’ll discuss these three steps in greater detail in part two of our two part series on the “3 Simple Steps in Choosing the Right Web Page Design Company.”

About the Author

Marc LeVine is the Director of Social Media for RiaEnjolie, Inc. (http://www.riaenjolie.com)  a NJ-based web development company specializing in professional looking and affordable websites for small businesses.

Read Marc’s Full Bio at: http://www.linkedin.com/in/marclevineica

Follow Me on Twitter: Icanewfriend

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