2020 has shown how important it is for businesses to have and maintain an online presence. Internet transactions were already growing before the pandemic, but the lockdown caused online shopping to skyrocket. Without a website, how would prospective customers find you?
If you don’t have a website yet, read on. We are going to talk about the important considerations you need to think about when speaking to an agency about website design: with no further ado, here they are:
1 – Costs
Building a website is nowhere near as expensive as building and outfitting a brick-and-mortar store, but great websites are not cheap either. Make sure that the costs of the project are clear from the beginning; you don’t want to agree to one cost and discover that additional costs have been added along the way.
Try to look for website design companies that offer fixed-cost fees for their services. If they have website building packages, even better. This can help you avoid unexpected changes in your budget.
2 – Templates
Some web companies offer more affordable design packages that use specific templates. More often than not, they have various templates for different industries and customise these to make the website more unique. Choosing a template package is certainly an affordable option for businesses in their infancy, but as time goes on, you might want to upgrade to a fully customised site.
3 – SEO
Search Engine Optimisation is more than just a buzzword the tech-savvy use; it is an essential aspect of carving out your niche in the digital age. Simply put, SEO is the endeavour of making your website more palatable to the algorithms of search engines. The more optimised your website is, the more likely it will appear at the top of search inquiries.
SEO needs to be integrated into nearly every aspect of your website design and marketing. Many experts recommend creating a multi-pronged content marketing plan that incorporates SEO as well. While the results may not be felt immediately, it is one of the ways you can connect with your target audience.
4 – Mobile Interfaces
More and more transactions are being conducted on mobile devices every year. In fact, it is expected that the majority of online sales will be completed on a phone rather than a laptop. As such, it is important that your website take both interfaces into account. In some cases, it might even be beneficial to prioritise mobile design.
5 – Web Hosting
If we think of the website as the storefront, web hosting is the space you occupy to create this storefront. However, not all hosting providers are the same. In the web hosting industry, the adage, “You get what you pay for,” rings true. If you are in the early stages of your business, you might have to sacrifice a little speed and reliability to save money. Just make sure to upgrade your web hosting once business starts to pick up so that your customers always have a positive experience.
Final Thoughts
There are plenty of considerations when it comes to building a website, but these are among the most important. To ensure that you only get the best in website design, familiarise yourself with the basics. By doing so, you might be able to have smoother discussions with whatever website design company you choose to hire.
If you are looking for help with website design, send us at BaseHost a message. We offer 24/7 customer support to our clients with no hidden costs. You can expect the best in graphic design from our team too if you call us now.