If you’re not an internet expert then choosing the most suitable supplier for your project can be a real headache. Our motivation in giving the following tips is to ensure that you choose the right supplier for your needs; if that happens to be us, then great!

Writing a brief

A detailed brief is the best way to establish a level playing field, and enables easy comparison between the different designers’ quotes. If you’re unsure how to go about producing a brief, one option is to approach one of the design companies you are asking to tender and invite them to write a brief for you. You should pay for this otherwise they may be less thorough and you might feel obliged to give them the work.

Your budget

You may think if you keep your budget to yourself then you will get a better price. In reality you are likely to get more for your money if you state your budget in the first place. It also makes it easy to evaluate which quotation is giving you the most for your money.

Chemistry

Chemistry is extremely important in any business relationship; the ability to understand, relate to and ‘get on’ with your supplier, will facilitate open and clear communications.

Market sector experience

Experience of producing other sites in your marketing sector can reduce the suppliers learning curve to understand your business. However, you are more likely to get a similar solution from a supplier with experience in your market, if you like their work then fine! It doesn’t mean than another supplier new to your market will not also produce an excellent solution.

Approach

Try to define the type of supplier you are looking for, not all web design companies are the same. Most fit into the following categories:

• Technical – Established from a technical background, probably offer excellent technology but may be lack in design and marketing skills.
• Design – Often born out of traditional print design agencies and may not have in-depth knowledge of design for the internet and they may not have in-house technical expertise.
• Marketing – Focused on understanding your business, target audience and objectives but again may out-source production and programming.

It does of course depend on your requirements as to which supplier is most suitable. As a rule a mixture of skills in all areas will be able to provide effective solutions to most requirements.

Don’t pick on a sexy design

A pretty site with sexy intro screens and animated navigational systems is unlikely to add as much value to your business as other more business led solutions. We are certainly not against Flash content when used appropriately, but it is so often abused by designers more interested in winning awards than making you money! Don’t forget £15 million is lost each year to usability issues, make sure your site isn’t one of them!