So You’ve Hired a Web Developer… Now What?

1. What are your goals?

Once you’ve chosen your web development company, it’s time to consider what your goals are for the project. When building a new website, it is important that you outline what you intend to achieve. This will help both us and you to ensure that your project is a success. Having some sort of benchmark to measure progress against is always a good idea. Additionally, informing your development team about your goals will make it easier for them to recommend certain features, design strategies, or tools for your specific project. 

2. Who’s your audience?

It’s hard to design a great website without knowing who your target audience is. In order to generate the most leads, your development team needs to understand who you cater to. The more you tell your designers about your audience, the better they’ll be able to tailor your site to your consumers’ needs. In turn, this will result in a more effective website that generates more business for your company. 

3. What’s your current marketing strategy?

Before you hire a web designer, it is likely that you already have some sort of marketing strategy. Whether it’s cold calls/E-mails, signs, local news ads, social media, or some other form. Telling your development team about the various marketing channels you currently use is essential when building your new website. This information will help your designers to link your old marketing channels with your new website for optimal performance. Moreover, telling your developers about your current marketing strategy will help them identify areas of improvement. For example, adding landing pages, blogs, or quizzes so that your website becomes the base of your digital marketing efforts. 

Other Things to Mention Before Starting Web Development Kelowna:

1. Deadlines

No matter what kind of project you are starting, deadlines are vital. And, it is especially important that they are discussed early on. If you have a strict deadline to meet, be sure to mention this to your designers. This will help them determine what is achievable given your timeframe. Even if you don’t have a set deadline in mind, discussing the timeline for what you want out of the project is essential. 

2. Budget

Another essential item to discuss is your budget. Your developer will likely have all kinds of suggestions for what features you can add to your website. However, you may not be able to afford all of these additions. To avoid confusion and prevent spending more than you have, it is important that you discuss your budget before any work commences. This way, your designer can ensure that you get the most bang for your buck!

3. What are you working towards?

Although your budget may be limited right now, it is good to tell your developer what you plan on achieving with your site eventually. This way they can put in the proper foundation to support your future plans. Having an idea of you want your digital platform to evolve over the next five years is a good way to ensure that your website will be able to support your goals later on. 

4. Do you have brand guidelines?

Lastly, if you have a set of brand guidelines, be sure to tell us right away! Brand guidelines are an incredibly helpful tool that will help us to ensure that your website matches the rest of your brand. After all brand coherence is of the utmost importance. For more information about the importance of brand guidelines check out this article we wrote!

Contact us for More Information About Web Development Kelowna!

Before you start building your new website it is important to discuss your needs. This will help to make sure that everything goes as smoothly as possible. 

If you need web development Kelowna, contact us today. Our team of web designers would be happy to help you create the right website for your business. For more information about what we do, feel free to reach out to one of our team members. You can find the latest updates about us on our social media page, or check out our blog for related content. We look forward to working with you in the near future!

The post What to Discuss Before Starting Web Development Kelowna? appeared first on Website Design Company Kelowna BC - Atomic 55.

In this article, we are going to be going over the top six questions that you should ask web designers before you hire them.  Follow along below to learn more!

So, You’re Interviewing a Kelowna Web Designer… 

1. Who, what, when, where, why?

The first questions that you ask any web designer, should be about them. Who are they? What are their credentials? When did they start in the industry? Where are they located/from? Why should you hire them? Asking these questions should give you a good indication of their experience and if they will fit your needs. You should also ask to see a portfolio of their work to make sure they can do what they say they can. At this point, it would also be appropriate to ask for testimonials from previous/current clients. 

2. Can you take a look at my current website?

When you begin your search for a Kelowna web designer, you should ask if the person can review your website. Generally, good web designers will always check out your existing website before working with you. This is because it helps them get an idea of what needs to be done based on what you’re ideally looking for. An experienced web designer should be able to look at your website and provide you with feedback about what needs to change and what works. Some companies offer paid website audit services and others do not. So, it is important to ask about this during your initial consultation. 

3. Do you offer any other services?

Typically, web designers offer more than just website design. This is because web design often involves a lot more than just assembling content and writing a bit of code. Most web designers are also proficient graphic designers, content writers, and marketers. Additional services are often signs of an experienced professional. Having one person who does it all means that you won’t need to work with ten different people to build one website. At Atomic 55, we believe in keeping our projects in-house!

What Else Should I Ask?

4. What about my budget?

Your budget is crucial. It is vital that you bring up your budget in the initial stages of hiring a web designer. This will help you determine if you can or cannot afford the designer’s services. Furthermore, it should give you an idea of whether or not they’ll be able to accommodate your needs. Because of this, it is important to come prepared with a list of all of the things you want done. Content writing, SEO, photography, chat software, and any other add-ons are important costs to keep in mind. Make sure you determine what you want Vs. what you need prior to meeting with a web designer. 

5. What’s the time frame

Time is valuable. Understanding the timeline at which your project will be completed is integral. After all, the last thing you want is to be stuck in limbo waiting for your website to one day be completed. A rough timeline is something that you should definitely ask about when you consult with a web designer. This is especially important if you are looking to have your website launched by a specific date. 

6. What platform do you use?

The platform or content management system (CMS) used by your web designer is not something to overlook. Each CMS has its own pros and cons. So, you’ll want to choose someone who designs your website using the best CMS for your business. Understanding the differences between each CMS is a good idea. And, if you’re having trouble understanding, this is another great question to ask your web designer. If they have any experience at all, they should be able to give you an in-depth answer.

Contact Us Today!

If you need help building a website, contact us today. Our team of Kelowna web designers would be happy to help you create the right website for your business. For more information about what we do, feel free to reach out to one of our team members. You can find the latest updates on our social media page or check out our blog for related content. We look forward to working with you in the near future!

The post Questions to Ask a Kelowna Web Designer appeared first on Website Design Company Kelowna BC - Atomic 55.

Reasons to Recruit a Kelowna Web Design Company.

1. Save Time

If you aren’t a programmer or can’t find your way around Photoshop, it’s going to be very difficult for you to build a website. Simply achieving the basics of a website will take an excruciating amount of time because of the steep learning curve. And, if you had anything more complex in mind, like animations, you might end up spending months just trying to work out one detail. The point is, web design takes years of experience and knowledge in order to craft a site that is functional and completed within a timely manner. 

2. Look Pro

Another benefit to hiring a professional web design team is the professional look of your website. Most people’s first impression of your company is going to be your website. So, it’s important that you make it count! A bad first impression is not good for business and can seriously hurt your company. Hiring a web designer who is well-versed in your field or has worked with similar industries is a smart idea. This way you’ll get a professional-looking website that reflects your company. 

3. It’s an Investment

Hiring a web designer is certainly more expensive than building a website on your own. However, the benefits of hiring a professional web designer outweigh the cost in nearly every circumstance. A professional is able to discern between what’s a trend and what’s here to stay. Thus, ensuring your website looks fresh in both 2023 and 2028. Moreover, a professionally built website is more likely to last longer, not break, and in many cases, web design companies provide support for all of your questions and concerns. When you invest in a custom website, you also gain access to the wonderful team behind the operation. Sounds like a worthwhile investment to us!

Even More Reasons!

4. Stand out From the Crowd

Separating yourself from your competition is a tricky feat. Especially in a saturated market or startup environment. However, one of the best ways to differentiate yourself from your competitors is to build a website that is unique and efficient. Since most people begin their search for a business online, it’s crucial that your website is unique. When your website is not built from a template, it will be more memorable to potential customers. This kind of attention can help you translate website traffic into leads. And, start to build your company’s brand awareness! Talk about a win-win.

5. Get More Leads 

Another perk of a professionally built website is lead generation. It’s one thing to have a website, but it’s another to have a website and get found. There are many proven strategies to get your website ranking higher in search results. However, the tried and true method of SEO marketing is a must-do. This is yet another area where the average DIY website builder will need to study up. SEO (search engine optimization) isn’t something that can be learned overnight but is integral to the marketing function of your website. After all, what’s the point of a website if nobody can find it?

6. It Works

A website that works, is a good website. This means no broken links, no broken buttons, no missing pages, no broken widgets, and consistency across all devices/platforms/browsers. Making sure everything works together without faults is certain to cause your average DIY designer some headaches. One of the biggest reasons to hire a professional website designer is simply to have a website that functions correctly. And, to have a team of experienced professionals to help you troubleshoot in the event that something breaks or goes wrong. 

Contact Us Today!

If you need help building a website, contact us today. We’d be happy to help you design the right website for your business. For more information about what we do, feel free to reach out to one of our team members. You can find the latest updates on our social media page or check out our blog for related content. We look forward to working with you in the near future!

The post Why Hire a Kelowna Web Design Company appeared first on Website Design Company Kelowna BC - Atomic 55.