From the least to most essential consideration, here are the TOP TEN points Dotcomjungle believes you should pay attention to when shopping for a web development firm:

10) Pricing: Pricing should equal the value received. The cheapest option is not equal to the best value. Many “package options” come complete with a cheap price as well as poor templates,  non deliverable programming portions, and buggy code. Set aside funds to invest regularly in your web site. If you’re short on cash, it’s better to settle for a small but custom design and as cash flow improves, invest in site improvement.

9) Written Agreements: This is a no brainer. Everything decided should be presented in a formal contract. Changes should occur via a change order. We love handshakes, and we always use contracts!

Delivery Time: Will the web company be able to devote their best team to your project? Will the design and development be smooth? Will they communicate clearly about what you need to provide them in order to keep things moving forward? Flexibility is valuable for all parties to practice, especially when a project is large and challenging. Are both parties committed to clearly communicating with each other when the schedule changes?

7) Knowledge: (The web builders) Are they savvy with the newest web technology and trends? Will they help you set up the most appropriate and secure web site for your business? (Yours ) Will the developers teach you how to  manage your web site? Will they answer questions about the tools that your site is using and help you understand those tools so that you can, in turn, help your own customers?

6) Responsiveness: Do they email or call? Do they have a project manger to keep your project moving forward? Will someone meet with you for approvals? And, after your web site is launched, what support services are available to you?

5) Track Record & Talent: How long has the web development firm been in business? This is a fast-paced industry, and it’s often difficult to keep up with the latest tools. Will the design they’re proposing conform to current standards? Is the site open source, battle-tested, intelligent, extensible (i.e. updatable), scalable and future-safe?

4) Do they have an in-house design team? Use of templates and themes, editing layouts and designs, and handling multiple levels of customization are important skills. Will there be design-related milestones built into your web site construction contract? Will you be taught how to execute simple design changes on your own for the future? Having someone who knows THIS stuff is very valuable in the long haul.

3.5) Protection: Will your site be safe and secure (PCI compliant? Secure online shopping?) and give you peace of mind that your company’s information and that of your beloved clients is in good hands?

3) Do they have their own programming staff? Do they understand the tools they are using? Are they capable of creating custom web applications tailored to your exact functional needs? Do they know everything, or are they willing and eager to learn and expand their knowledge base? Are they willing to break things and admit when they’re wrong? Do they enjoy digging into solutions?

2) Portfolio: How many businesses has this web design company served? Who are their former and current clients and what testimonials can those clients offer? Check out the web sites built by the developers you’re considering; what better way is there to see what the firm is capable of?

1) Marketing: A successfully executed web site will be competitive and bring in business and leads. Chances are your competitors have not only a web site but a plan for search engine optimization (SEO) and social media marketing in place as part of a comprehensive interactive marketing strategy. In order to stay competitive, you should consider a firm that offers expertise in all areas of online marketing including web design, SEO and social media marketing.