When technology is not something that interests you and/or you’re not necessarily up-to-date with all the latest developments in online marketing and website design, choosing a website design company can be exceedingly difficult and stressful.
In this blog post, we’re going to focus on responsive website design and how to find a website design company that can really deliver one, because this is really where website design is headed.
If you’re wanting to find out why responsive website design is so important for your business, take a look at our previous blog post, which provides you with all the insight that you need.
So many options – what do you choose?
A Google search for ‘Responsive Website Design’ returns a myriad offers and options from a multitude of website design companies across South Africa. While some offer website design at super low rates, others promise exceptionally fast turn-around times for quotations, or even packages that include monthly fees with free website domains and hosting.
It really is a jungle out there!
Before we get into what to insist on when choosing your responsive website designer, let’s first summarise what you should expect from every professional website design agency.
Individualised Approach
A 60 minute turn-around time for a quotation is impossible for a website design firm that is dedicated to ensuring that you achieve genuinely successful results from your website. By meeting with you in person and understanding your needs as a business, a professional website design company will be equipped to provide a customised solution to help you achieve your goals.
Reasonable Cost
R 249 or even R 1499 is an impossibly low rate to be paying for a decent website. While your website design firm may be willing to offer you a special rate to design and develop your website in order to establish a long term relationship with you, super low rates are something to be very wary of. On the other end of the scale, seemingly exorbitant rates may be expected from large agencies, who will charge for the extent of their resources. Generally speaking, a small to mid-sized agency with a good track record, such as The Formula, will provide all the expertise and commitment that you need, at an affordable rate.
Good Reputation and Track Record
Your web design agency should be happy to provide you with a few examples of recent projects that they have completed.These examples will help you to determine the quality that you can expect from them.
Approachable
You should feel comfortable engaging with the web design agency that you choose. If they really know their subject well, they will be able to explain matters to you in a way that you are able to understand, and will be able to avoid the use of confusing industry jargon.
Take a look at the top ten questions you should be asking before hiring your website design company HERE.
What to insist on for your Responsive Website
Easy to use, clear navigation
A responsive website needs to be accessible on every internet enabled device – from the small screen of a mobile phone to the large screen of a desktop computer. For
this reason, the navigation needs to be simple and standard, as well as easy to activate using a finger, stylus, or mouse. Always keep your Home page tab on the left, followed by About pages, Galleries and Services and ending with your Contact tab on the furthest right hand side of the screen. This is the format that visitors are used to and you will only serve to confuse them if you change that standard format too drastically.
Customised website design
Your responsive website should be custom designed to effectively showcase and promote both your brand and your products / services. An off the shelf website may look pretty, but because it hasn’t been designed specifically for your brand, it will never really stand out and differentiate you from your competitors. If memorable, positive branding and ensuring an outstanding customer experience is important to you, then always insist on a custom website design.
Adjustable columns
A responsive website will neither scale down to fit the size of the screen the website is being viewed on and therefore make the copy and images smaller, nor require the visitor to swipe or scroll to the left or right to view copy and other content. A responsive website will adjust the columns, navigation and other functionality of the website automatically so that copy is large enough to read easily on smaller mobile device screens. Always ask your website design company what they mean by ‘responsive website’ and if they do not talk about adjustable columns and content, then make 100% sure that they are genuinely able to provide a responsive website design.
Flexible content
A truly responsive website will be designed to ensure that your customer enjoys the best possible experience when visiting your website – regardless of the device they are using. This does mean that some large images or graphic elements may not be suitable when viewing the website from a mobile device. Always be prepared to be
flexible when it comes to allowing for content adjustments. The most important element of your message, ideally that which entices an enquiry or prompts the visitor to take the next step in the buying process should be featured, even if that means leaving out a few images, or pretty design elements.
Suitable copy
While websites absolutely do benefit from long form copy (such as this blog post for example), there is a time and a place for everything – including the most appropriate
copy for each page of your website. A professional website copywriter (which your website design firm should be able to provide) will not only write search engine optimised copy, but will also ensure that copy is written to suit both the smaller mobile device and a larger desktop computer.
Sufficient white space
Your website should never look cluttered, regardless of the size of the screen that it is being viewed on. A good website designer will ensure that your responsive website is not too cluttered with text, graphic elements and small images, and will allow for plenty of open, or white space on each page.
A Clear Call to Action (CTA)
A clear call to action (CTA) should be easy to see and access on every page of your website. It should also be written in conjunction with suitably enticing copy which will
encourage your visitor to take the next step in the buying process.
Your website is an investment in the success of your business
At The Formula we produce websites that are designed to help you achieve your business objectives. We are a boutique agency with exceptional skills and a solid reputation. Since 1995, we have been providing our customers with a personalised service and a range of contemporary, professional marketing services that achieve positive business results.
If you are looking for affordable quality, contact The Formula today to arrange your free online marketing consultation.
Call Garth or Shiraz on 021 556 5661 or email us: info@theformula.co.za to set up your online marketing appointment today.
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