Choosing the right web developer can be tricky—especially if you are unfamiliar with the world of HTML, source codes and search engine optimization. However, a web developer understands all the technical details of your website, even if you don’t.
Here are five tips to consider when choosing the right web developer:
1. Check their track record. Do they have a good repertoire with past clients? Ask to see referrals or testimonials. If past clients were unhappy with their work, it won’t take long to find. Just as important, ask for a full portfolio of active sites they’ve developed. Is the quality of their work consistently great—regardless of client and budget?
2. Go to their website. One thing’s for sure, if you don’t like their web design or layout, you won’t like their work. Take a minute to examine their page:
-Do you like their navigation?
-Can you find information easily?
-Are their pages accessible?
-Links open on the same page?
-Are page titles accurate and appropriate?
3. Familiarity with SEO. A new study indicates that search engine optimization is more important than paid advertisements. Ask about SEO and how they go about determining what keywords are important for your website.
4. Additional services offered. A web developer can create and maintain a website. A quality web development firm can also provide web hosting, design graphics and logos, write effective content, offer site maintenance, conduct online marketing and, of course, achieve good search engine rankings for your website.
5. Use your intuition. Many websites are unsuccessful because web developers fail to keep up with the ever-changing web technology. You should get a feeling, just by speaking with a web developer, whether or not they know their stuff.
Many business owners—large and small—pay big bucks for subpar websites, simply because they don’t know any better. Don’t be in the dark about web development. Do a little investigating of your own, and when all else fails, go with your gut!