Having a strong online presence is critical today. Your website represents your business 24/7 and gives potential clients valuable information. If you design it properly, it’ll bring customers through the door.
To do this, you need to partner with the right team. You need to find a company that fits with your brand and values in addition to the right skillset.
Think of it like hiring an outsourced support team. Say, for example, you’re looking at help desk outsourcing; you’ll carefully vet the company. You want to be sure that they’ll treat your customers professionally and well. They answer customer queries expertly.
Your website must incorporate similar elements. It must inform visitors about your company and encourage them to engage. It has to make a great impression.
So, how do you find the right team? We’ll go through what to look for in this article.
Also Read: 10 Things You Should Do After Launching a Website – Premio
Technical Expertise and Proficiency
Your first stop is to look for a web developer with the right skill set. They should be proficient in the foundational technologies like HTML, JavaScript, and CSS. They’ll also need experience with front and back-end frameworks like Python, PHP, or React.
It’s a good idea to work out your goals for your site before you start looking. That way, you can find a developer who’s a good fit. For example, if you’re building an e-commerce site, you’ll need a developer with experience with platforms like WooCommerce or Shopify.
In addition to their technical skills, they might need experience with content management systems like WordPress and Drupal. Make sure they’re up to date with modern web standards like responsive design and web accessibility.
Finally, review their portfolio. If possible, ask to see examples of work similar to what you’ll need.
Problem-Solving Abilities
A good developer goes beyond simple coding. They’re whizz at problem-solving, too. You never know when bugs will creep in. They need to debug the code and find workarounds if necessary. Whether they’re developing a Webflow website or working on a complex software application, the ability to troubleshoot and adapt is essential.
You can assess their abilities in this area by asking how they’ve dealt with past issues. Ask what issues might come up and how they’d deal with them.
Experience with UX/UI Design
You can have a beautiful sight with all the bells and whistles and lose traffic to a plain Jane site. Why? The more you cram onto your pages, the more slowly they’ll load. Google and other search engines also look at the experience your visitors have. The better the experience, the more organic traffic you’re likely to receive.
You need a developer who understands what makes a site engaging. While they’re not responsible for the actual design, they must make sure the features work. They’ll need to ensure:
- Smooth transitions
- A mobile-first design
- Logical layouts
- Intuitive navigation
Portfolio and Past Projects
anyone can claim they can do anything. What sets professionals apart is that they have the proof. Check the developer’s portfolio to see the work they do. Look for a developer with a robust portfolio across various industries and platforms.
Consider the following:
- How complex were the projects?
- Are the examples of things that you would want?
- Do the websites load quickly?
- Is the user experience smooth and effortless?
- Does the work they have done previously fit your needs?
Communication Skills
your developer will need to be able to communicate with you and other team members, such as designers and content creators. Therefore, they must be able to articulate their ideas clearly and ask the right questions. Unlike the stereotypical Hollywood IT professional, they have to work well with others.
Adaptability and Willingness to Learn
You want someone who understands that web development is constantly evolving. They need to keep up-to-date with the latest techniques and industry trends. If they’re not the way they do things, you’ll get left behind.
SEO Knowledge
On-page search engine optimization ensures that you get organic traffic. Your site is useful if people visit it. While you can traffic through ads, it becomes expensive fast. Working with a developer who understands SEO means that your sites attract search engine attention from day one.
Reliability and Professionalism
You need a professional who will write the code you need within the deadline you set. The only way to get a fair assessment is to check references and read reviews on third-party websites.
Security Awareness
Regulatory bodies are holding companies responsible for keeping their customers’ data safe. Therefore, a developer prioritizes security throughout the process. Ask them what data encryption and protections against vulnerabilities they use.
Long-Term Support and Maintenance
Your website is a dynamic project that keeps growing. What happens if you need an update or maintenance? What happens when you need technical support? These are questions you need to ask before you sign a contract.
Find out if the contractor offers maintenance packages or warranties. At the very least, they need to have a handoff plan if they won’t be around later.
Conclusion
There are several advantages to building a website. However, choosing the right web developer is an important business decision. You need to look beyond the technical skills and find someone to smooth the entire process. They must understand what you and your clients want.
You should spend some time fitting potential candidates to find the right match. While this process is tiresome at first, it can pay real dividends in the long term.
