Raw 02 - September 2008 - (Page 33)

source RAW can be put together easily and at relatively low cost, but what you actually get out of it can be quite disappointing. On the other hand some agencies can charge phenomenal rates, when all you were looking for was a simple site. Think about what you want your site to actually do for you. Are you looking for e-commerce facilities? Booking forms? Do you want to be able to update the site yourself? (This is often something worth checking as most designers will charge for updating your site) 3. Do You Like What They Do? Do some research before choosing the final designer. Have a look through their portfolio. Do you like what you see? Do their sites work well? Do they load quickly? This can give you an invaluable insight into what the company is capable of. Also, check how easy to read their sites are, and how clearly information is presented. There’s no point in a beautiful but over-designed background if it makes it impossible to read the actual information on the page. Navigation is also crucial to the smooth running of a site, and should be clear and simple to use. Image optimization is the final thing I would keep your eyes open for Are the images clear and quick to load? there are a myriad of web designers out there, some good and some bad. Ask the right questions and do your research 4. Do They Create Accessible Sites? Accessibility affects everyone and is often overlooked by web designers. Many Internet users find websites difficult or even impossible to use simply because of the way they are designed. A modern website should be designed to be as accessible as possible and to be compatible with the types of adaptive technology used by people with disabilities, including screen readers. A modern, clean and efficient design will work wonders on your site reflecting the reputation, accessibility and professional standing of your company. 5. Can They Take Care of the Whole Project? In conclusion, what you are really looking for when choosing a web design company, is someone who can take care of the whole process for you. From buying the domain name and securing web space through creative design to uploading the final site and carrying out search engine optimization to give you the best chance of being found. If you don’t have a strong visual identity it would be an advantage to source a development company that also offers a design service – would you prefer a technical web developer or a talented creative designer to help you with layout, colour and general style choices? Also, look for a follow on service, assisting with publicity to advertise your site and offering technical support. There are a myriad of web designers out there, some good and some bad. Ask the right questions and do your research, and you should be able to partner with the right people to create a website that works for you and helps drive your business forwards. Good luck! www.designbysource.com www.d4digital.com @ http://www.designbysource.com http://www.d4digital.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Raw 02 - September 2008

Raw 02 - September 2008 Contents Scott English Rachael Elnaugh Colin Stroud Heidi Weir Chris Wright Million Impossible Emma Thompson

Raw 02 - September 2008

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