Choosing the right web design agency is crucial for the success of your online presence. In the busy landscape of New Zealand's digital market, finding the perfect fit can be both exciting and daunting. While we aim to help all our clients, we may not be the right fit for everyone. To help you navigate the hiring and design process smoothly, we've compiled a list of common mistakes to avoid when hiring a web design agency in New Zealand.
This article is for anyone who is a marketing manager. That could be anything from, the CMO of the company to a marketing intern who has been tasked with finding a new website for a small or medium-sized business. This is also for anyone who is a business owner, so if you own the business and you’re thinking about redesigning your website, this article is definitely for you.
Also, anyone who is a website administrator, so that could be anyone who is in charge of editing or updating the website on a regular basis, this post is for you as well.
The way a lot of people think about getting a new website is, they have a certain amount of money and they think, “If I pay less money for a website, I’ll have extra money left over, so I'm in front”. And so they’ll go and get a Square Space or a Weebly website, and they’ll think because they’ve saved money they’re coming out ahead. But Warren Buffett, who’s considered one of the greatest investors of all time, talks about the most important thing when it comes to thinking about money is opportunity-cost.
Instead of thinking “I have this money, I need a website, I’m going to get a Square Space website, I’m going to save money by getting a Square Space website , opportunity-cost would think, “All right, so I have this money. I can do one of many different things, including a do-it-myself, hire a website builder near me, hiring the biggest digital agency etc. And then out of all those decisions, which one will bring me in the most net profit overall?” What’s the best overall net profit on all the different options available? And sometimes when you go the cheap route, you’re really losing a lot in terms of potential net profit.
Opting for the cheapest option may result in subpar quality, limited functionality, or a lack of ongoing support and maintenance. Instead, focus on finding a web design agency that offers value for your investment, balancing cost with quality, expertise, and long-term partnership potential. Remember that investing in a well-designed website is an investment in your brand's online presence and business growth.
A lot of people think they should work with a large agency for their website because they’re going to do a better job. But that's not always the case. I have seen examples of organisations paying over 100k to a large agency, only for that agency to outsource it to a single developer. Whilst it's best to go to an agency that has a whole of team of experts to plan, design and build your website and conduct quality reviews, going to a large agency does not necessarily produce the best results or value for money. Talk to your agency and compare quotes.
One of the biggest mistakes you can make is approaching a web design agency without a clear understanding of your goals and requirements. Before seeking out potential partners, take the time to define what you hope to achieve with your website. Are you looking to increase online sales, generate leads, or improve brand awareness? Clarifying your objectives will not only help you find a web design agency that aligns with your goals but also ensure that you receive accurate proposals and recommendations tailored to your needs. This also works with the above around what options will give you the best return on investment, what's the opportunity cost? - If you don't understand your goals, it is difficult to qualify this.
Launching a website is just the beginning of your online journey, and ongoing support and development are crucial for its long-term success. When evaluating web design agencies, inquire about their post-launch support services, including product development, software updates, security patches, and technical assistance. A website needs to actively managed and developed to maintain search rank but also to adapt to evolving trends based on customer needs and how people are using your website, drawing on the information from Google Analytics and user feedback. We have seen clients literally leave money on the table but not pivoting to change to evolve needs and optimising their site, not because of any additional cost, but simply because they see the website as 'done' at launch.
So, what do I mean by that? That sounds weird. So, when I say designer, I mean someone who’s strictly an artist, or someone who focuses mainly on graphic design. A lot of ‘designers’ are only concerned about the aesthetics of the site. What it looks like, or if it’s unique, or if it follows the latest website design trends. But at the end of the day they don’t really ‘get it’ when it comes to what the primary purpose of a website is.
So what's the primary purpose of you website?
Is it to look beautiful?
Not really, it's nice but It’s not the primary purpose.
Is it to improve user experience?
Not exactly, that’s not the primary purpose.
How about to win awards? No, definitely not.
If you’re running a commercial business, the purpose of the website is to make money. And the only thing you should judge a website by is, ‘does it bring in more money?‘ Otherwise, what’s the point of getting it? Right? If you're running a non commercial business your purpose may be a bit different, but it's about reaching and engaging with people to reach specific goals, to inform, persuade or deliver a service easily and effectively.
And so, many generic designers and marketing agencies alone don’t always understand that. They may see customers reaching the website at the end of the funnel campaign as the end goal.
A digital design team, like we have at Well Good Creative, has a range of specialists they bring to the table. Digital strategists (to help determine the end goals/purpose and how best to achieve that digitally), user experience designers (what is the customer experience in achieving there goal), solution architects (what's the best technical solution), digital marketers (how do we get people to the websites and convert them to customers), web content producers and visual/graphic designers (to create the brand and a beautiful website : ).
Choosing a web design agency is a significant decision that requires careful consideration and evaluation. Avoid the temptation to rush the process in favor of quick results, as this can lead to overlooking important factors and making hasty decisions. Take the time to research, compare, and interview multiple agencies, asking relevant questions and seeking clarification on any uncertainties. By conducting thorough due diligence and taking a methodical approach, you'll be better equipped to make an informed decision and choose the right web design agency for your project.
Well Good Creative a Wellington Web Design agency in New Zealand.
