3 Things Every Small Business Should Look Out For Before Hiring A Web Firm

I’ve been in this industry for quite some time now.  I’ve seen all the amazing things that web designers and agencies do, and I’ve also seen the worst.  I want to share with you three things that you should look for before hiring your next web professional.

Fancy Buzz Words Used by Web Firms for Small Businesses

The use of buzzwords is so common that I’m going to dedicate a full post, just on this topic alone to clarify it all, but I’ll cut to the chase here.

A while back I was speaking with a potential client about what we can do and what we offer.  She then read to me a proposal that she had received from another web agency.  As she read it aloud, I noticed that she had no idea what she was reading.  In fact, she even said on multiple occasions “I have no idea what that even is…”

The proposal used words that are common in the web industry, but to a small business owner, sounded like a different language.

Here’s what you’ll get with your website for $x amount of dollars… SEO, Ranking in Google, Responsive Web Design, Dedicated Login, etc., etc.

The list goes on.

I get it though.  If you were reading a proposal that just had three bulleted items as opposed to 20, you might think you’re not getting as much, but that’s just not the case.

Don’t let these buzz words scare you, but don’t let them fool you either.  Make sure the web designer explains to you what each one is, and if you’re unsure, Google it.

Here are some things to keep in mind when reading these proposals:

• Most sites are already responsive (that means it shrinks to mobile size) without doing any extra work.  The extra work comes in when there’s a strategy put in place, or an entirely custom design is being created and coded.
• SEO (ranking in Google) is not an “add on.”  Real SEO costs thousands of dollars a month, if it’s less than that, it’s not SEO.
• Having your site submitted to Google is not a thing. Google will find your website; you don’t need to submit anything.
• A 10-page proposal for a 5-page site is overkill and probably just copied and pasted.

I like the real approach to things.  Big proposals for big projects, small or no proposal for smaller projects.  Just make sure that you and the person you’re hiring are on the same page.

[clickToTweet tweet=”SEO is not an ‘addon.’  It costs thousands of dollars a month, less than that, it’s not SEO.” quote=”SEO is not an ‘addon.’  It costs thousands of dollars a month, less than that, it’s not SEO.”]

Website Templates and How The Site Is Being Built or Developed

You may not care about this because it’s all tech geek stuff, but trust me, it’s super important.  Using templates/themes may sound like a good idea to cut costs, but it’s so not.

Before I get into tearing this apart, let me first explain that there are times when a template is better than something else.

If you just want a site up quickly, have a tight budget and aren’t too picky on the look or functionality, use a template or theme.

That’s pretty much the only reason I can think of to use one.

Other than that, you’re developer should be doing one of these three things:

1. Using A Framework
2. Creating their own theme.
3. Using A Starter Theme

Without getting too technical, there are specific reasons for this.

Picture ten thousand people all drawing a picture.  Some of them are artists, some of them aren’t.  Now you’re an art buff, and you go in and want to make a purchase. There’s too many to choose from though so you get someone to help you out.

That person goes through all the drawings and says, “This one, this is the one you should get,” and you say “but I don’t like how this part looks or that part, can you redraw those sections.”

So you’re buddy attempts to redraw them not knowing or understanding how the original artist did it. When he gives it back to you, it’s amazing, but what was originally created in pencil is now mixed with crayon, water paint, oils, and chalk.

You’re happy with it, so you don’t pay any mind until you try to make more adjustments. Then you realize you can’t make the changes you want because you can’t erase crayon, water paint, oils, and chalk.  On top of that, the original artist moved on, and now you’re stuck.

Those drawings are exactly what it’s like when someone uses a theme.  To get it to work right, it’s hacked and hacked and hacked until the original theme is no longer usable.

This is an extreme example, but it just goes to prove a point.  There are too many variables when a designer uses a theme, and in the long run, it can end up costing you a lot more money to fix it than just to have it done correctly in the first place.

So take some time, and ask your web designer how they plan to create your website.  If they’re doing any of the three things listed above, then you’re off to a good start, but if they say I’m going to start with a theme from ThemeForest or something else, that’s a red flag!

We develop all of our sites using a Framework called Generate Press.

Web Experience

Just some plain jane experience.  When you hire someone, ask them about their background and what they have experience in.

This day and age scare’s me a bit because we’ve almost come to a point where ANYONE can call themselves a web developer, or web designer.  I’ve seen it!

We’re in the age of technology where the tools coming out can create full websites using artificial intelligence.  Where any business owner can sign up to a DIY site and build something for the world to see.

I spoke with Brent Weaver from uGurus a while back, and we had a big discussion on websites just being commodities.  And I had to agree to disagree because I didn’t believe they were.  However, if you hire someone or just do it yourself, or if you just fall into this loop of being client number 2345 instead of “Jon” or  “Kristina” then yes, your website is most definitely a commodity.

Having a site created and not touching it means that you didn’t have any reason to spend money on building one in the first place.

[clickToTweet tweet=”Having a site created and not touching it means that you didn’t have any reason to spend money on building one in the first place. “]

Experience is not just creating a website.  It’s understanding who you’re making it for and what you need to accomplish with it.

Before you go and hire your next web professional, make sure you ask them about their experience.  Don’t spend $3,000, $5,000, or $10,000 on a website that you’re just going to let sit there.  You can get one for free if that’s the case.  Have your next hire be involved, be proactive, and work with you on your website.

—

Have any questions or need help implementing any of these strategies.  Our goal at SureFire is to take away all the difficult tech stuff and help you focus back on your business. Let us handle everything web.  Click here to discover more ways on how we can help small businesses.