With so many web providers out there, how can you find the right one? What questions should you ask? Read on for tips on what to look for when choosing a web provider.
- How will your company be there for me? When deciding on a web provider, make sure they will provide you with the attention and customer service you deserve. Ask questions about average response time to an issue, hours of operation, and ways to contact (i.e. phone, chat, email). You will also need to ask if there are costs associated with ongoing support and training, as these can really add up
- How will my web design look and what designs have you done? How your site looks to your visitors is crucial. Design can be tricky to implement if you don’t have a top-of-the-line designer, so make sure you’re doing your homework to find the best web designer around. Also, be sure to ask for a portfolio of designs from their current clients to ensure they make a good product.
- How will my site stay up-to-date? Many of the websites out there are created and then quickly become dated due to the speed of technological advances. New versions of browsers, PC and mobile operating systems can really destroy the way a website looks. Be sure and ask if this is something that is automatically done and what the cost would be.
- How will it look on a phone or tablet? With about half of website traffic coming via smartphone and tablet, don’t you think your website should look seamless on any device? Do you even have a mobile site? Google has announced that they will punish websites for not having a mobile-friendly version by lowering a site’s SEO ranking. To check if your site passes Google’s test, type in your URL here: https://www.google.com/webmasters/tools/mobile-friendly/.
- How will I be in control? Maintaining 24/7 access and control of your website is becoming more important, with changing trends and the need to supply fresh content. Make sure and ask how changes can be made and if they operate on a CMS (content management system) platform.
Now that you have some guidance and have carefully weighed all of the above factors, you and your organization should be in a good position to make informed decisions on choosing a web provider that is the right fit for your site.
If you have a current provider, asking these questions is valuable in order to remain relevant and up-to-date. Even if you’re not ready to take the plunge and switch it up, it’s good to be on the same page with your web provider.