Whether you choose to work with a digital agency with an in-house development team or an independent web development firm, here are some tips on how to select the right technology partner for your online efforts:

Identify Business Objectives

To optimize engagement and conversion on your company’s website, it is important to first identify the various needs, challenges, and pain points your business is looking to solve. By having a fundamental understanding of your different users and conversion goals, you can better tailor your design and development approach to align with your business needs.

Assess the Partnership

When hiring a development company to support your web efforts, it is ideal to select a business partner who you can grow with long-term. Not only will you collaborate during the initial brainstorming and materialization of the website, but you will also rely on their expertise as routine maintenance and functionality updates are needed.

Rather than choosing a web development partner based on price, be sure to assess their portfolio and level of output. This ensures that the work produced will be high quality, effectively positioning your brand higher among competitors. It is equally important to understand their company vision, motivations, and culture. While the quality and efficacy of their work is a key deciding factor, understanding their process and approach ensures that you both are in alignment from end-to-end.

Alignment on Scope

Prior to finding a new web development partner, it is helpful to understand the level of involvement on the project. While some businesses may seek a development team for minor site updates, others may look for a complete overhaul of their interactive experience online. Understanding your immediate needs as well as potential future updates will give you a better sense of where to allocate your time, resources, and budget.

Additionally, determine the project timeline and identify any key dates tied to the project launch, such as industry trade shows or new product launches. With clear alignment on timing and costs, your web development partner will have the proper expectations and resources to achieve quality work and yield the desired results for your business.

A Forward-Thinking Approach

In addition to skills and experience, a great web development partner has a strong understanding of how factors such as social media and search engines influence site visibility and performance. The right partner will have a forward-thinking approach to web development, from leveraging the latest technologies and best practices, to challenging what’s possible from an interactive perspective. By selecting an innovative web development team, your company has the resources to build an impactful and memorable digital experience, optimized to drive traffic, engagement, and conversion online.