What do people look for in a web design company?

[rosaltof]

Hello,

I don't know if this fits in this forum but I will throw it out there.

I am working on a very quick "Yes, No, I don't mind" questionnaire to send out to non web people to see what they look for in a web design company.

The following list are the items I have so far in my questionnaire. The question goes...

Do the following affect your decision when chossing a web design company?

Location
Name
Company Ethos
Company Size
Technologies used
Opensource or Closed Source
Sector focus
Published portfolio
Award winning company
Industry accreditations
Able to offer funding
Provide other new media services
Price range

Can you think of any other factors people consider when looking for a web company?

Many thanks in advance

Ed

[Demaestro]

Experience and references would be at the top of my list.

[georgeek]

Personally I only look for three things:

1. Standards compliant
2. Semantic markup
3. In depth knowledge of usability studies

[rosaltof]

Thanks for the replies. I will add them to my list.

Do you think the average non web savvy person would know that semantic markup exists? I am going to create a web business 2 web business quesitonnaire too. These will defo come in there.

[mightymid]

I'm finding that lots of non-web types nowadays are asking specifically about whether a firm provides SEO services.

[weeks]

In any business, people are looking for people they can trust.

Typically, they are first looking for expertise. And you've outlined some good points that might illustrate expertise.

But, they are also looking for integrity. This appears to be a serious issue for many contractors. Will you do what you say you are going to do, when you say you are going to do it and for the price that was agreed to at the start? You need to illustrate that you understand this is an issue.

Finally, you want to show that you care about your customers, that you understand that their web site reflects their goals and objectives and values not only to their customers, but to their family, friends, the community at large and the employees. And you need to communicate that you care because the web site is going to reflect on you.

Technical and artistic expertise is the most important, but caring and integrity are also important.

[BeeDeeDubbleU]

Do you think the average non web savvy person would know that semantic markup exists?

If you are talking about the average enquirer then, no, they would not have a clue what this was.

[rosaltof]

Thanks again all, I am getting some interesting responses here.

There are different types of web company as well that have a different focus and I think should be included. For example;

- Design based companies that focus on aesthetics over anything else
- Marketing based companies that focus on calls-to-action and sales

Of course a good company encompasses both at equal importance to enhance each point but my past experience has found quite a few companies put on above the other.

[BeeDeeDubbleU]

I think a portfolio of satisfied clients and testimonials is important.