Choosing a quality web development team for your project may seem like an intimidating experience. With a plethora of options available going on the hunt can seem overwhelming, especially if you are a newer company. But like any other big decision, it helps if you can break things down into a few core needs that will guide you through the mire.
A Web Development Team with Experience
When looking for the right development team to help build your online presence it is imperative that you find an agency with previous experience in your industry. For instance, if your company is in the medical field you will require an agency that has worked within the legal boundaries of HIPPA and will pay due attention to your patient’s privacy. Do you require an ERP to help make tracking and communication more efficient behind the scenes? You as the client may not know how to achieve these technological needs. But it is important that you have a clear understanding of your end goal before you begin your search.
Technical Knowhow
A large development team is not essential. What is important is that the agency has the skill sets available to provide you with a well-rounded plan that will move your business forward. Look for a diverse creative team that includes:
front-end web developer
back-end web developer
SEO specialists
user experience designers
accessibility experts
marketing professionals
User Engagement and Accessibility
A website won’t do you a bit of good unless your customers can access the information and use it readily. Accessibility and engagement help drive loyalty and return customers to your business. The development team you select will need to be well versed in tracking tools that can measure your user engagement and see what they are interested in. Research popular analytics tracks tools so you have a basic understanding of what is available. These analytics reflect how well your website is gaining and keeping your customers attention and are essential to the continued success of your business.
Timeline and Budget
Everyone has a budget and a timeline in mind. Finding the balance between these two takes the skill and patience that comes from professionals. You want an agency that understands your needs and can provide your company with a quote that makes sense for what you are asking. Be willing to negotiate and change the parameters as you work with your developer to narrow down your company’s needs. At the same time, be willing to expand on your original parameters to ensure quality work.
Ongoing Support
It’s easy enough to find a ‘churn and burn’ group that will provide you with a basic site. But when you need additional support down the line they have long since moved on. A good development agency will keep ties with you and continue to help troubleshoot problems or update your site as needed. Support packages can be included to maintain ongoing quality for years to come.
The best thing you can do for your business and your developer is to have a clear idea of your end goal before you get there. Your website or web application is a long-term investment, treat it as such.
