Professional Web Site Design Company

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What makes a professional web site 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 several categories:

1. Large web service companies
2. Small to medium-sized web site design companies
3. Home-based web designers and sole proprietors
4. Cousins, friends of friends and teenagers

Only companies in the first two categories can call themselves a professional web site design company. Companies in the final two categories offer up far less than professional web design work.

Large web site design companies

These are the larger players that service Fortune 500 companies like Oracle or Hewlett Packard. They will have 50 or more employees (typically hundreds) 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.

The benefit here is that the larger level of administrative support you typically receive ensures that your web site design project stays on track and is handled properly. You’ll benefit from the knowledge that these businesses tend not to be flashes in the pan or pack it up and go home on a whim. 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 web site design companies

The first thing to mention here is that we are talking about web site design companies that offer professional web site design. We are not talking about companies that also offer computer troubleshooting, web hosting, print services, etc. The real professionals here are the ones that stay focused on professional web site 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 of doing business with web design companies in this category is that you are essentially getting the best of both worlds: reliable, professional web site 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 site design services that are truly professional. Our recommended category, to be sure.
Typical project: $2,000 - $25,000

Home-based web designers 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. Can you really afford to have your “web designer” leave you a message at 7:30 pm one night stating that they can no longer work on your project when it’s already half done?

These businesses typically do not have the same level of commitment as the first two. 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

Cousins, friends of friends and teenagers

Yes, this final category is a little tongue in cheek. You will absolutely, unconditionally, 100% NOT find professional web site design in this category. The one and only reason any business would ever deal with an individual in this category is financial. Typically these individuals “dabble” in web site design as a hobby and have no formal training or experience. They are almost certainly completely unaware of how to professionally build a website. That said, you would probably only consider utilizing these individuals because you can get an entire site built for free (or maybe a case of beer or Xbox game).
Typical project: $0 - $250

So if you’re considering doing business with a professional web site design company, you now know what to expect. Go with the typical project amounts as a guide but take away the knowledge that our recommendation is to deal with the small to medium size professional web site design company.