We have been exposed to some website heartbreak as of late and it got us thinking…

Picking the right website design company can be as daunting as dating. You have to establish what you are seeking in a mate and what traits you’re not going to compromise on. I know, I know, at first the thrill of finding someone that you think you click with overtakes your judgement and you jump in without looking back. But be careful! This intoxicating move can backfire when the honeymoon air wears off and you realize your new partner is not living up to your expectations. So often we hear horror stories in our business from clients who got entangled with a company who used fancy industry lingo and false promises to get them on board just to leave them hanging for months without a finished product, a design that disappoints, or even a sign that they haven’t run away with their money.

Developing your website is a huge brand move and requires serious consideration before you commit. When we say commitment we aren’t necessarily talking about an obscene amount of time to make a decision, but just serious consideration. It does often happen that agencies can wow you and be legit in very few discussions and you do end up happily ever after. The whole love at first sight & fairytale ending. But to insure this scenario happens to you, there are some things you need to determine.

First Impressions Matter. When you visit the agencies website, are you attracted to it? Does it represent your design aesthetics? Nothing says run for the doors like showing up and realizing right off the bat that they like heavy metal and you’re more into the opera. Scoping out their website can show you immediately their quality of work. Is their website cookie cutter? Do you like cookie cutter? Or do you like to be totally unique? Check out their work page and browse their portfolio. Similar to caring about qualities in a potential mate…what type of job they have, do you have similar goals, enjoy the same foods…snooping around on the first date and asking lots of questions can tell you if you’re on the same page or if at the end of the day, they just aren’t a good fit. Keep a little guard up for those that are just going to tell you everything you want to hear.

Do They Have Your Best Interests At Heart. Let’s face it, everyone has a motive. And business wise, it is usually to make money, but do you want to work with a company who is only focused on their bottom line or do you want a company who really understands your goals and what you are trying to accomplish? Yes, you need SEO. Yes, you need social media. But do they care about how your website fits into your company’s big picture? Do they give out advice from a place of growth and not profits? No one wants to be in a relationship that feels one sided. Get to know the agency and determine whether they have your best interest at heart or if they are going to leave you heart broken and confused.

Do They Communicate Well? Just like dating, at first they lay it on thick. They text & call all the time, email you consistently, update their status about what a great potential client you are but then they get your business and the “I am all in” mentally starts to wear off. Now don’t get me wrong, when you’re working on the website of course you can’t devote as much time courting; however, you need a partner who is going to make you feel like you still exist. Someone who is going to continue answering your questions and give you updates on the project and isn’t going to leave you wondering what’s going on.

Are They Good Fit.. For the Long Run?This is the tough part. Did Prince Charming turn into a big toad? Did pretty princess have beauty but no brains? Did you compromise on some features that you thought would be okay to let slide? Did you voice your feelings when mistakes were made? Just b/c the site launches or you make it to the alter does not mean the work is over. A site grows with a business: changes will need to be made, updates, blogging, new artwork, etc. Just as the end result for dating is to find the ONE who is going to be in it for the long haul, it is wise to find a web partner who is as well.

Moral of the story: take your time, do your research, find what works for you, and don’t settle. “But it was the cheapest, But it was a friend, But this, But that.”–no more excuses. We wish you all the best of luck, whether it’s a website you are shopping for or the perfect mate, just be true to yourself/business and don’t get “stuck.”

Happy Hunting.