Outsourcing Web Design Successfully
Whatever stage your business is at, a professionally designed website is essential to promote your product. Finding the right person to work with on the design process can, however, be a long and frustrating process. Outsourcing may be the answer. Many outsourcing marketing agencies are now providing specialist web designers that will match your requirements and your sector, drawn from a network of trusted associates.
Don’t expect it to be a ‘hands-off’ process, though. An outsourced web design will bring you a whole host of skills but they don’t know your business as well as you do, and they never will. Great web design is always a collaborative partnership in which you provide a clearly thought through brief and detailed, honest feedback in return for a design which exceeds your expectations.
Here are our 5 tips for outsourcing web design
1. Find an Outsourcing Marketing Agency You Can Work With
This comes down to looking at websites and calling them up. Given the creative and communicative elements involved in web design, we would always recommend a call, skype, or face-to-face meeting. First of all you want to check that the agency provides professional web designers, and that they have experience in your sector. Ask for examples, and take time to check out what they send you carefully. Is this the kind of design you’re looking for?
2. Be Clear About Time Frames and Communication
The worst thing that can happen when you’re outsourcing web design is that the project loses momentum, and languishes for months without progress. Communication is vital, so make sure that at the end of every conversation you know what the next task is, and when you’ll receive drafts for feedback. Put aside time to review drafts with everyone involved at your end, and then send back a detailed response.
3. Don’t Be Afraid to Speak Your Mind
Outsourced projects need honesty and clarity to work effectively. Your web designer can’t read your mind, and isn’t part of your company culture, so your feedback teaches them what works for you and what doesn’t. If you’re unhappy about the service you’re receiving, let the agency know early on. Small concerns, flagged up early on are much easier to fix than a fully fledged complaint when much of the work has been done.
4. Keep Asking Questions
We’ve all stuck our heads in the sand at one time or another, relieved to hand responsibility over to someone else – but it could land you with a website that doesn’t do what you need it to. Check that your website is:
- Secure
- Responsive
- GDPR compliant
- SEO optimised
- Easily navigable
5. What Happens After Sign Off?
Once the website design is signed off it will need ongoing management. Content will need to be regularly refreshed, plugins need regular updates, use of Google Analytics will help you make improvements. Websites quickly lose their online value if they’re neglected. Ask your agency about outsourcing website management. It’s likely they’ll be able to offer you a reasonable monthly service which can be tailored to your particular needs.
About Outsource Your Marketing
Outsource Your Marketing provides businesses with all the services they need to market their product online and in print. We have a trusted network of associates we’ve grown over the years, who represent a comprehensive range of skills and sector experience. Whether you’re looking for a new web design, a marketing strategy to develop your online presence, or you need to grow a social media network, we can provide you with specialists who will manage this for you.
