What makes a professional web design company? What sets the professionals apart from the unprofessional? In order to answer this question, we think it’s necessary to divide all web design companies into four categories:
- Large companies
- Small to medium-size companies
- Home-based businesses and sole proprietors
- Hobbyists and students
Only companies in the first two categories can call themselves a professional web design company. Companies in the final two categories offer up far less than professional web design work.
Large Companies: They will have 50 or more employees and have massive amounts of overhead. This overhead will invariably be paid for right out of the pockets of the large design company’s clients. Hence the major drawback of these larger web design companies – cost.
You can expect a reasonably high level of service from these companies; just remember that you’ll pay for it. Steer clear of the big guys unless you’re launching a new brand of automobile or cruise ship. Typical project: $25,000 +
Small to Medium-size Companies: The real professionals here stay focused on professional web design. To fit into this category a business must have its own office space and extensive list of prior clientele (i.e. portfolio).
The real benefit with web design companies in this category is that you are essentially getting the best of both worlds: reliable, professional web design, coupled with much lower costs than the larger businesses. These businesses typically have between 3 and 20 employees and/or contractors. They are large enough, serious enough and experienced enough to offer web design services that are truly professional. This is the recommended category, to be sure. Typical project: $2,000 - $25,000
Home-based Businesses and Sole Proprietors: The number one danger here is the one-person business that operates out of a basement where the sole proprietor already has a full-time job. This can spell disaster for your web design project. When it comes to prioritizing work, your project will always come second to the proprietor’s full-time occupation. They may be viewed as simply “trying out” web design as a hobby. They are waiting until they get enough business so that they can quit their day job. Unless you are absolutely strapped for cash and on a razor thin budget for your project, you run a major risk doing business with these companies. It is always recommended that you meet face to face with your web designer, preferably at their place of business so that you can judge how they present themselves and how they do business. Typical project: $500 - $3000
Hobbyists and students: You will unconditionally NOT find professional web design in this category. The only reason any company would deal with an individual in this category is simple dollars and cents. Certainly they are completely unaware of what constitutes professional web design. You consider utilizing a hobbyist if you can get your entire web site built for free. Typical project: $0 - $250
So if you’re considering hiring the services of a professional web design company, keep in mind what makes a company professional or not. Use the typical project amounts as your guide Stick to categories 1 and 2 if you run a serous business. The other 2 will bring you nothing but heartache and frustration. |
