Here’s an objective approach to getting what best serves your organization.

It’s no small decision to choose a website vendor for your organization, much less to rest assured it’s your best choice. You may not be on the high side of hi-tech, but neither are you on the low side of lo-tech. So, starting out with an honest understanding of what you do know (and may not yet know) is a very positive start.

Start by clarifying your website needs

Define your needs 

Start by talking to as many stakeholders as you can—company leaders, customers, vendors, customer service, support, fulfillment, human resources, etc.  Pro tip: don’t ask what they like or don’t like about the website; ask what they need to communicate most often. Clearly identify your website goals, target audience, desired features (e.g., contact forms, ecommerce, blog), and design preferences. Be as detailed as possible to be sure you don’t overlook anyone or anything.

Budget analysis 

Set a realistic budget and ensure the vendor aligns with your price range while still providing the necessary features and quality. Give yourself a little wiggle room just in case there are must-haves that come up.  Not sure what your budget should be?  Check out our handy cost calculator. Also, don’t be afraid to ask your vendor what they think a realistic budget should be 

Types of website vendors 

Website builders 

Platforms like Wix, Squarespace, or GoDaddy that offer drag-and-drop interfaces for easy website creation, suitable for basic websites. 

Custom web developers 

For highly unique designs and complex functionality, consider hiring a dedicated, elite web development team. Their knowledge base is more reliable and you will get a long-term partnership that can advise you along the way, not just take your order.

WordPress developers 

The popular WordPress platform has a wide range of plugins and themes for customization. If you’re going the DIY path or all you need is a simple “brochure” website, this might work for you.

What makes a great web vendor?

Experience and portfolio

Review the vendor's past projects and client testimonials to assess their experience in creating websites similar to your needs. Check for client reviews and independent ratings, as well as the vendor's experience in your specific industry or field.

Industry Knowledge

Industry expertise is important. It means the vendor has relevant experience and can meet unique challenges with tailored solutions. If the vendor understands market trends and knows how to anticipate regulatory changes, you can feel more confident.

On the other hand, vendors with a broad range of experience can bring different perspectives to your project, so you’re not just “following the crowd” in your industry and doing the same things everyone else is doing. Don’t summarily discard a vendor just because they’ve not worked in your niche.  A savvy web designer and developer will get to know your business quickly.

Trust and Long-Term Value

Trust is the foundation of a strong partnership. Look for vendors who demonstrate transparency, responsiveness, and a genuine interest in your success. Beware the dangers of the lowest bidder.

Focusing solely on cost can be a mistake, finding out too late that hidden costs, lower quality, poor communication, and lack of support are not worth the loss of long-term value. A trusted web vendor will support your growth and contribute to your success for years to come.

Technical capabilities

Evaluate the vendor's expertise in relevant technologies like web development frameworks, CMS platforms, API integrations, and hosting environments. Some web developers are great at adding plugins to WordPress, and that may be sufficient.  Other developers have deeper experience with building business applications.

Ease of use

If you plan to manage your website content, consider how user-friendly the platform is for editing and updating pages. Include the people on your team who will be managing features of the website in your meetings and updates as the website build progresses.

Customer support 

Investigate the vendor's customer support options, including availability, response time, and knowledge base. A highly expert web team will be around long after you launch your site, and available to provide support on an ongoing basis. This kind of partnership mentality can ensure you have the support you need.

Scalability

If you anticipate future growth, ensure the platform can accommodate additional features or increased traffic. Based on your current website’s functionality, can your vendor chart a clear path to grow with you?

Data security

Understand the vendor's data security measures to protect user information and comply with privacy regulations. If they’ll be hosting your site, what’s the backup protocol?  How do they respond in the case of a breach?  What is their policy on sharing credentials between individuals? Listen as vendors talk about projects to how frequently they mention security-related issues.  It should always be part of your developer’s thinking.

Before committing to a vendor 

Request proposals 

Get detailed quotes from multiple vendors outlining their services, pricing, and project timeline. Be careful to ensure you are comparing apples to apples. Details at this stage are important.  If you have questions or something isn’t clear, ask!  Any great vendor will be eager to clarify details.  In fact, you can learn a lot about a vendor by just asking a lot of questions.

Ask for references 

Contact past clients to inquire about their experience with the vendor. Reaching out to learn more about a vendor before you engage with them is well worth the time.

Red flags to avoid

High-pressure sales tactics, lack of transparency, unwillingness to answer questions or provide references, and limited industry experience are among the more obvious red flags to watch out for.

In Conclusion

Choosing the wrong website vendor can be detrimental to your business. Making informed decisions based on trust, expertise, and a clear understanding of your needs is essential when choosing an expert web vendor.

If you have questions and would like to know more, we invite you to schedule a free consultation with Dialogs to discuss your web development needs.