Alright, you're a Melbourne business owner, and you know having a professional website is a must these days. But with so many options out there, choosing the right web design professional can feel like a minefield. You're not just looking for a pretty site; you need one that works, brings in leads, and represents your brand well.

The good news? You can avoid headaches and make a smart choice by asking a few key questions before you sign on the dotted line.

This article is going to give you a roadmap, outlining the essential questions you should be asking any potential website developer. These questions are not just about finding someone to build a website but rather someone who can help grow your business.

13 Key Questions to Ask Potential Website Designers

Okay, so let’s get down to business, from here it’s about what you need to find out when you're interviewing potential designers. It's not just about finding the cheapest option, but getting value for money so lets dive in.

Checking Their Melbourne Web Design Know-How & Proven Success

• Question 1: "Have you built professional websites for small businesses in Melbourne like mine before?"
• Why it's important: A web design professional who understands the Melbourne based business market and has worked with local Melbourne businesses will likely have a better feel for the kind of business website you need. It's about their experience in the Melbourne web development industry, and their familiarity with Melbourne client’s needs.
• Question 2: "Can I see examples of business websites you’ve created that have produced good results?"
• Why it's important: A strong portfolio is a good start, but look beyond just visual appeal. Ask for websites that are actively helping businesses achieve their goals. This gives you confidence in what the website developer can do for your online presence.
• Question 3: "What was the specific client issue you solved on this example?"
• Why it's important: A key skill for any web design professional, problem-solving needs to be something they do well, so looking at how they approach a specific problem is essential to know before committing to working with them.

Understanding Their Process & How You'll Communicate

• Question 4: "How will the process of building my company website work step-by-step?"
• Why it's important: You need a clear understanding of what to expect. A solid designer should have a transparent project timeline from initial discussions through to launch, so you’re never in the dark on what’s happening next, you’ll get regular updates.
• Question 5: "How will we communicate during the project?"
• Why it's important: Knowing how they prefer to communicate is crucial, phone, email, video call – all communication preferences can be very different. You need to know what that is from the start to avoid stress in the future.
• Question 6: "Will I be able to review and approve the design before moving forward with the web development?"
• Why it's important: Your client feedback is essential to make sure the finished product is exactly what you had in mind and avoiding issues further down the line. Making key adjustments are critical, and the web designer must be ok with working this way.

Exploring Functionality and Key Features of Your Business Website

• Question 7: "What web platform will you be using and why do you recommend this one?"
• Why it's important: Different website platforms and CMS have different capabilities and also different costs attached. Ask why this one is suitable for your business, and that the reasoning makes sense for your particular business model.
• Question 8: "Will the business website be mobile-friendly and work on all devices?"
• Why it's important: Loads of potential clients might find your website from their mobile devices, so your website must look and operate perfectly, it’s a non negotiable these days, this includes responsive design and mobile optimisation.
• Question 9: "Do you provide training or handover on how to manage the site myself when its done?"
• Why it's important: Once the site is complete, you need to be able to manage the content yourself and not have to always rely on external assistance. Having this training is vital and avoids any surprises and makes sure you know how to manage the website usability.

Ensuring Your Site Gets Found: Website SEO & Content Strategy

• Question 10: "Will my website be SEO friendly so optimised for Google, so Google can easily find me?"
• Why it's important: A website is only as good as it's reach, so ensure they will give the website the best start possible to be found easily on Google, this helps with your search engine visibility. This will get your business found online using local SEO.
• Question 11: "Can you help with content creation or make recommendations?"
• Why it's important: Strong copy is key, and knowing where they can assist is vital, and if you have an experienced person that can provide guidance and help, it could reduce cost by knowing from the start, what’s needed, as part of the content strategy.

Pricing, Hidden Costs & Ongoing Website Support

• Question 12: "What is included in your price and are there any extra costs involved?"
• Why it's important: Get a full price breakdown from the start. Don't fall for hidden costs later down the track. Asking for the costs and what they specifically entail is essential, and you should focus on website development cost.
• Question 13: "Do you offer ongoing website maintenance or website support after launch?"
• Why it's important: Knowing you will have a website that keeps working after the development has finished is essential and this is normally done on an ongoing monthly basis. So this may be something you wish to investigate before committing to a website designer.

Conclusion

To summarise, making sure you ask the right questions to a potential web designer is not a sales process, it’s a discovery process to find the perfect designer for your project. Hiring a website developer can seem daunting, but by coming armed with the questions, this makes sure you’re equipped to find a reliable partner for the job. It’s about protecting your time and resources from the beginning.

So what are you waiting for? If you’re serious about investing in a good business website, call a web design professional to make sure they’re the right fit. If you’re considering a new website or need to refresh your current one, give me a buzz on 0450 616 000, to see how we can grow your business with a business website design that not only looks good, but will grow your sales.

Remember, a great business website is an investment that will get you more customers and more revenue, so it’s worth spending a little extra time and effort getting the right person on board to do the job, so that means asking great questions before you start.