There are only a few places like New York City (NYC) within and even outside the country. It is a unique location with many notable features, such as being a global for culture, innovation, and, of course, commerce.
Having an online presence is especially important for businesses and individuals who hope to take advantage of what NYC has to offer. However, one has to be intentional about entrusting the execution of this task to the right web designer. This is because doing otherwise can lead to several concerns, including the following:
- Insufficient or No Mobile Optimization
- Inadequate CMS (Content Management System) Integration
- Inadequate SEO (Search Engine Optimization)
- Poor UX (User Experience)
- Non-Responsive Designs
- Security Vulnerabilities
Overall, these are complications that affect three major vital areas – accessibility, usability, and inclusion. For more on this subject, you can see: https://www.w3.org/.
Choosing the right web design agency can be a daunting task, but it does not have to be, provided you know how to navigate the process. Thankfully, this article addresses this subject by suggesting essential questions to ask and factors to consider when selecting agencies for such projects. So, read on to find out more.
Web Design in New York City: What to Ask Before Hiring
Web design agencies consider NYC a promising environment, and they have valid reasons for this. As a result, many of them have a base in The Big Apple. Having too many options may not be the blessing you may think it is.
The concern is that not all of them possess the competence required for such an important task. To this end, we will look at some important questions to ask before hiring. Below, some of these questions are listed according to certain categories:
Experience and Portfolio Questions
Some of the questions in this category include:
What Is Your Experience with my Industry?
Seriously consider the agency’s experience with your kind of business. For example, there are peculiarities of offering web design services to law firms and legal professionals that differ from offering the same services to healthcare centers.
As a result, do not make the mistake of only considering the agency’s overall experience. Ensure that it offers services tailored to meeting your unique needs.
Can I See Examples of Your Previous Work?
You should even be more specific about asking for previous work done, especially for New York City clients. For starters, this ensures that the agency understands the demands of reaching the right audience in the city. Furthermore, it helps you better assess their capabilities.
What Is Your Background in Web Design, and Your Typical Workflow?
This is perhaps the first question to ask, and you should have two things at the back of your mind. Firstly, ensure the professional/agency’s experience in web design in New York City comes from a strong background. The reason is that a well-grounded background is often an indication of competence.
Secondly, ensure that the processes/workflows are result-yielding. Leave no stone unturned while doing this, as you should find out what happens right from the initial consultation up till post-support. Furthermore, inquire about the project’s timeline as you do not want uncertainties in this regard.
Capabilities and Technical Skills Questions
Some of the questions in this category include:
Which Technologies Are You Proficient In?
Agencies must demonstrate proficiency in relevant technologies. Some of the specific technologies where this is expected include:
- HTML
- CSS
- WordPress
- JavaScript
- Python
Ensure that they possess proficiency in technologies required for frontend development, backend development, and web optimization. For this reason, ask questions along these lines and even seek examples that validate proficiency in these technologies.
What Are Your Website Visibility Strategies and How will You Integrate them?
Access to online information and platforms has made it possible for almost anyone to set up a website. However, experts highly recommend professionals since this novice approach cannot guarantee the desired design quality and optimization.
However, verify the professional/agency’s capabilities by inquiring about their website visibility strategies. You should make sure that they have in-depth knowledge of site structure, speed, and on-page optimization.
What Are Your Plans for Responsive Designs?
The web design agency should design your website to be optimally responsive across all devices. For example, your website should display its layout without problems for iPad users, just as it does for laptop users.
As a result, ask if the agency has adequate plans for cross-device responsiveness and whether it is part of the standard package. The goal is to ensure you do not miss out on this important service.
Communication and Project Management Questions
Some of the questions in this category include:
What Is your Policy on Communication and Preferred Communication Channels?
Web design is not one of those projects that you entrust to a third-party agency and back off. Rather, clients and service providers must communicate consistently, as they make intentions known, corrections, additions, and modifications at various points.
All these are why good communication between all concerned parties is crucial, which is why you should ensure that the agency is willing to communicate effectively. Also, find out specifics, such as usual communication timelines and even preferred communication platforms.
Knowledge of the preferred communication platforms/channels can even help you make adequate preparations. You can watch this video for examples of project management tools. While you are at it, also ask who your point of contact will be and how they will track progress.
How would Revisions Be Handled, and What Is the Project’s Timeline?
A realistic project timeline should be provided so that you know what to expect. However, being realistic with the project’s timeline also means factoring in other things like revisions. So, find out how they plan to handle revisions and how revisions will affect the project’s timeline.
Conclusion
Besides asking about experience, technical skills, and communication, determine the true cost of hiring such an agency. For this reason, find out about contract details, including payment terms, and get the necessary breakdowns.
Getting the right answers starts with asking the right questions. So, make sure you do not fail at this when it comes to hiring web design agencies in New York City or even anywhere else.
