Website Design Service by Xans Design.

5 Critical Things to Consider When Choosing a Website Design Company

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Once you’ve made the important decision to create (or update) your business’s online presence, another weighty choice is waiting in the wings:

Who are you going to task with this crucial project?

There’s certainly no shortage of options these days. An abundance of choice, however, doesn’t make the decision any easier. Should you opt for a do-it-yourself template that’s cheap on the front end but will cost you down the line? Or, should you call on a slick global firm whose cadre of services is more expansive—and expensive—than you could ever possibly need? For small to medium-sized businesses, the answer is usually somewhere in between.

In your search for the “Goldilocks zone” of website design, a local boutique agency is often the perfect solution. Unlike larger firms hawking mass-produced, cookie-cutter solutions or overly complicated and overly priced services, boutique agencies offer the flexibility to customise a website design solution for your business’s unique demands. The smaller client base of boutique agencies means that you’ll usually enjoy the advantages of direct owner involvement. And sourcing local talent means that help is always just right around the corner.

Boutique or big brand, local or global, there are 5 critical things you should consider when choosing a website design company.

1. What exactly are you paying for?

When it comes to website design, the old maxim “you get what you pay for” couldn’t be truer. If a solution for your business’s online presence seems too good to be true, it probably is. Find out what’s included in your web design company’s proposed fee. Do their deliverables end at a shiny new website, or is ongoing support built-in to the price? Does the site come equipped with a digital marketing strategy in place, or is it destined to languish in obscurity with no real chance of being discovered on search engines? Another important question to ask brings us to number 2 on the list…

2. Will you be expected to manage the content on your own?

Inexpensive templates with do-it-yourself content management systems (CMS) can seem like the ideal route for a budget conscious business looking for a polished site. That is until you realize that the real work of content integration is left to you. Few small to mid-sized business owners have the time or energy to run their business and play the roles of website manager and IT support. Opting for a design company that offers a finished website, complete with dynamic content, as well as ongoing support as your business grows, is an investment that will save you a whole lot of time, money, and headaches in the long run.

3. Will you have round-the-clock support?

For many of your customers, your website and your business are one in the same. You can’t afford to have your site go down—even at 3 in the morning. It’s important to keep this in mind when choosing a website design company. Will their support team be there when you need them, or will you be expected to troubleshoot bugs on your own? Can you get a real live human on the phone to talk them through the nuances of your issue, or are you expected to type questions into an instant messenger field and hope for a response? By hiring a website design company that’s committed to managing your site for you—24 hours a day, 365 days a year—you take the need for customer support out of the question.

4. What sort of creative chops does the design team have?

As a direct reflection of your business, your website should be sleek, stylish, and functional. It should be designed with the user in mind, with intuitive information architecture and effortless navigation. Designing a simple yet striking site is no easy task. It takes years of experience and cutting-edge coding know-how. The best way to know if a design team is up to the task of creating your business’s online presence is to learn how much experience they have under their belt, and what their portfolio looks includes.

5. Is the agency local Australian?

Choosing a locally owned and operated Australian web design company offers heaps of advantages. Your site is sure to perform better on locally based servers, giving your customers a quick, seamless online experience. You’ll have a support team right around the corner, providing the peace of mind that comes from working with your neighbours. And you’ll sleep just a little bit better at night knowing that you’re contributing to the strength of the Australian economy by keeping locals employed.

Choosing a website design company is one of the most important business decisions you’ll make. It can mean the difference between hours of aggravating troubleshooting and a professional site that all but runs itself. Keeping in mind these 5 critical factors will go a long way in making sure you make the right decision—both for today and for you business’s long-term future.

8 Ingredients Every Great Website Should Have

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There are good websites, and then there are great websites. There are sites that get the job done, and then there are sites that make you pause for a moment and whisper, simply, “cool.” As the digital ambassador of your business, it’s best if your website falls into the latter category. But what is it, exactly, that separates a great website from a merely good one? Here are 8 ingredients that make the difference.

1. Eye-catching first impression

An average visitor will spend less than 10 seconds on any given website. That’s 10 seconds you’ve got to make an impression on a potential customer, and get him or her to engage. Your website should be designed with this in mind. It should offer a clean, vibrant snapshot of who you are as a company and the unique value proposition you provide as a brand.

2. Clean, uncomplicated design

Design and layout shape user experience. Uncomplicated design and efficient layout are much easier for our brains to process, making for a comfortable user experience. And the more comfortable a user is, the more likely he or she is to engage with your site. The best designers know how to use empty space to their advantage, and don’t rely on unnecessary bells and whistles.

3. Clear and intuitive information architecture

When a user comes to your website, he or she is looking to solve a problem. The route to their solution should be obvious. Intuitive information architecture arranges pages in a logical hierarchy—a sensible road map from one end of the site to the other. Each page within the hierarchy is designed with user experience as its top priority. The easier a site is for users to navigate, the more likely they are to find what they’re looking for.

4. Unique and compelling content

Crisp design and an intuitive framework are only half the battle, of course. Even the most aesthetically stunning site is nothing without strong content in the form of first-rate copywriting. One of the best ways to differentiate yourself from the competition is with a unique and compelling brand voice. The information presented on your website should be relevant, useful, and engaging. Good copy is fun to read, tells a story, and reveals a distinctive brand personality.

5. Robust and reliable backend

Behind the scenes is where the functionality of your website is put to the test. Whether your site is a fully functioning e-commerce platform or a one-page description of services, it should be developed to load quickly without bugs or quirks. Customers should feel assured that any sensitive information they provide is protected by top-notch security measures. And it’s critical that you have a support team at the ready in the event that any significant backend problems emerge.

 6. SEO and digital marketing strategy

This is something we hit on a lot around here, but it really can’t be said enough. It doesn’t matter how beautiful or inspiring your website is if nobody can find it. These days digital marketing isn’t a luxury, it’s a necessity. Without search engine optimization, your site might as well live locally on your developer’s desktop. When seeking out an agency to bring your business to life online, make sure they offer comprehensive SEO and other digital marketing solutions.

7. Mobile responsiveness

It’s official. In 2015, the majority of digital media consumption now takes place on mobile devices. That means that more than half of your customers are accessing your website on their phones, tablets or other devices. Mobile responsiveness is essential to your site’s success. It’s not enough for your site to look the same on a smaller screens. It has to perform the same as well. Customers expect a seamless online experience, regardless of which device they’re using.

8. A reliable team who knows your company

At the end of the day, a website is only as good as the people behind it. Having a dedicated web design team on hand to manage site maintenance and ensure round-the-clock optimization is indispensible. What’s more, working with an agency who knows your company inside and out, and who can provide everything from logo design to social media management will ensure a cohesive brand experience for your customer base, online and off.