How your business fairs in the online industry dictates how your business operates going forward. Thus, it’s imperative that in the website creation process, you have the right people for the job. But selecting the right people can be more work than it’s worth, and it can be easy to fall prey to scams and frauds. In this blog, let’s explore some web design and development red flags that you should watch out for when you’re hiring.
Red Means Danger
Your business’ website sets the tone for your brand, products and/or services, and goals. Thus, if you partner with a web design and development agency that jeopardizes your website, you aren’t only setting up this aspect of your business for failure. With user preference favoring businesses with a high digital presence, you may also compromise your business as a whole.
So, to help you out as you partake in your hiring process, we’ve compiled a few common web development agency red flags in 2022 that may help. And as with most red flags, if you see one or more of these qualities in your web development agency partner, beware; danger may be afoot.
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Unresponsiveness/Lack of Communication
Statements to Watch Out for:
- “We are sorry for the lack of response, we have been (insert flimsy excuse). Rest assured though, we are working on your website.”
- “We request that you please contact us within the next week to get the answers you need.”
Why Is This a Red Flag?
An unresponsive web design and development agency is one of the most common danger signs to look out for. Lack of communication is a sign of disrespect and unprofessionalism. Moreover, this can be an indication of how lightly they take your situation.However, this can also be a hit-or-miss opportunity. Technical difficulties and bundles of tasks are inevitable and may be the case for your web development agency’s missed emails. But when talking in the long term, most agencies alert their clients of any possible communication problems. So, a two-week-long absence of any response should hint at the company’s organizational skills or lack thereof.
What’s the Green Light?
A professional website development agency will never leave you on read. They understand how important every step of the website creation process is and are always ready to answer all your questions. They also value constant communication and updates, showcasing their ability to organize their operations for optimal results.Risk It or Run?
It entirely depends on the situation. Consider these factors:- Are they generally uncommunicative at the start of the project?
- Are they a small business? Short-staffed?
- Do you deem their reasons understandable?
But our general consensus is to communicate with the agency and find common ground. When all else fails, this may be time to ditch the project altogether.
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A Promise of Low Fees and Fast Results
Statements to Watch Out for:
- “We can get your website running within the day! Ready to do business with us?”
- “As part of our policy, we ask our clients to make (large amounts of) payment upfront, and all remaining fees by the next day. Your website should be launched by then.”
- “For only (an unusually small amount), get the website of your dreams!
- “No contracts, less paperwork, and all at low costs for a customized website!”
Why Is This a Red Flag?
More often than not, these are shallow promises. Guarantees of low fees and quick results lead to less-than-desirable outcomes. Or worse, a scam! The same way goes for unclear estimates.In fact, according to Tech.co, the average web design and development services run from $500 to $10,000. Any number lower than that is a cause for concern.
Additionally, custom web design projects don’t have a fixed launch time. Depending on the data of the client and the level of customization they want, web development agencies may take weeks, even months, to complete a project. So, for companies to advertise less time than that, you would be right to feel suspicious.
What’s the Green Light?
A decent website design agency remains transparent in their transactions, and part of that is being clear and reasonable in their costs and development time. Furthermore, web design pricing often tells a lot about the company’s expertise. So, it’s a matter of finding expert ones that meet your standards and can address your needs.Risk It or Run?
Run! Excessive guarantees come with a price, and we don’t mean the financial value of it. Consequently, your website may not be what you expect when they launch it, leading to modifications and unavoidable costs. Worse, there may never be a launched site to begin with. -
Fewer Questions (More Problems)
Statements to Watch Out for:
- “Thank you for your interest in our services. We’ll handle the coding, content, and customization for you.”
- “We only ask for (company details). The rest will be handled by our experts! Less stress, right?”
Why Is This a Red Flag?
Custom web design companies follow the general rule of – surprise! – customization. This means the client’s needs are put first, and their input is always placed into consideration. All that taken into account, these companies generally ask questions about your business, goals, strategies, and any blueprint required for the website to be at its highest performance. So, if they behave oppositely, this could mean they rely on assumptions and may produce mediocre results at best. This also reflects their laziness in extensive research, which affects not only their reputation but your website as well.What’s the Green Light?
Your ideal web design partner is not afraid to take charge in questioning. They may also collaborate with you on pre-planned strategies and offer advice on higher conversion rates and lead generation.Risk It or Run?
Our take: there’s room for improvement. So, be sure to lay out all your business data and ask for their input. This way, they know that you do not tolerate assumptions and would like to work with them with feasible data present. You may also ask questions yourself. However, if your answers are left ignored, that’s when you hightail out of there and look for more options in the market. -
No Detailed Strategy for Web and Data Security
Statements to Watch Out for:
- “We cannot disclose all our web security measures. To learn more about this, kindly check with our experts.”
- “Your website’s security is not a part of our services. We leave the security protocol installation to your discretion. But we can help you out for an additional fee.”
Why Is This a Red Flag?
Every web development agency has web security protocols they use during the website creation process and in their data collection. And this is developed during, not after, the website is launched, so your website becomes resilient in fighting the threats of cybercrime and malware.Data security is also an integral part of web development operations. The absence of a privacy policy may be a sign that your and other clients’ data may be compromised. And highly confidential information you would want your developer to know may also find its way into the wrong hands.
What’s the Green Light?
Most web design and development agencies are upfront about their security measures, while others may use a subtle approach in presenting theirs. No matter the preference, the point still stands: transparency in web and data security is a must for these agencies.One way to verify their security integration is by checking their privacy and security policy. Another is by confirming their policies directly: if they use encryption, safe configuration, and other scanning tools.
Risk It or Run?
Your business’ potential downfall may start from the wrong set of security measures. So, if you feel a major threat on your business website without any security details, it’s best to skip the agency. You’ll thank yourself later. -
Absence of Portfolios and Reviews
Statements to Watch Out for:
- “We are a start-up business and are currently looking to expand our portfolio. Contact us for a sample or compilation of our services.”
- “Be the first to leave us a review today!”
Why Is This a Red Flag?
Website portfolios and reviews are one of the most reliable sources of information you get from a web design agency. When your potential hire doesn’t have a ready collection of samples from previous projects, chances are they may not have quality outputs. A lack of reviews could also mean they have a bad rep.On the other hand, they may just be starting out in the industry, making their empty portfolio understandable. But there is a high risk associated with partnering with new companies, and it all comes down to how far you can risk it.
What’s the Green Light?
Your best web development agency of choice should keep a set of samples to strengthen their expertise claims. This is typically seen in their website and chosen media platform. This information increases their credibility and edges them a step forward from their competitors, so they will place it where most users can see it.Risk It or Run?
As said above, this depends on your risk responses. Our advice: go through review sites and find out more about your web development agency candidate. And remember, no review is better than a negative one. -
Without the SEO Expertise and Lead Generation
Statements to Watch Out for:
- “We utilize a uniform approach in SEO rankings for your website.”
- “We are a company that has made past website clients rank one on Google.”
Why Is This a Red Flag?
In the case you may have been looking at website development-only options, then there’s a chance SEO may not be included in their services. But for standard and multi-service web development agencies, SEO is often one of their core areas of expertise. One thing to know about SEO, though, is its no-one-size-fits-all motion. SEO is an evolutionary process, so when a web development agency says they use a uniform approach, they may not know much about SEO after all.Also, the promise that they can get your website to rank number one on search engines is a lie. Often, they are bluffing, and they may not be of much help in the SEO department.
What’s the Green Light?
A great web development company helps your website rake in clicks. But an effective one makes sure these clicks retain and improve as the days pass. So, what you should be looking for in a web development service provider is their ability to optimize your content according to your target market. In retrospect, an SEO-specializing web agency can do wonders for your short- and long-term SEO and lead generation goals.Risk It or Run?
You don’t necessarily have to run but if you’re looking for SEO specialists, expand your options. There’s no use in risking hiring an agency that doesn’t offer these, as this may obligate you to hire a separate SEO agency, doubling your expenses in the process. -
Their Own Website Needs Repair
Statements to Watch Out for:
- “Currently, we are experiencing technical difficulties on our website. Please contact us directly. Thank you for your understanding.”
- “Our website is in progress. Please wait for more updates.”
Why Is This a Red Flag?
In any agency, practicing what they are preaching is a surefire way to know that their products or services are effective. When they don’t, suspicions are bound to arise. So, if an agency specializing in web development has an ineffective and unprofessional-looking website, they may not be the experts they claim to be.What’s the Green Light?
One of the green flags to look out for in an expert web-based company is its consistency and polished style. This not only pertains to their website appearance but also their content, navigation, updates, and mobile-friendliness. When they can pull this off, that’s when you know your website is in good hands.Risk It or Run?
While unexpected technical problems don’t exempt your local web design company, it’s still not a reasonable excuse. So, if their error page has been posted for quite a while, we highly suggest you find another agency to partner with. -
Bonus: Your Instincts Say No
Why Is This a Red Flag?
If you’ve got a tingly feeling in your gut about any web development agency prospect, it may be your instincts warning you of danger. This is an important take to reflect on. While not backed by evidence yet, your intuition may direct you to identify the threat itself and why you’re not feeling right about your hire.Risk It or Run?
We say, run! Your intuition never lies. Besides, if you have unexplainable doubts about a web design company, you can always conduct your research. But at the end of the day, if you don’t feel comfortable working with them, is there any reason to hire them in the first place?
What’s the Verdict?
Rounding up the red flags you should look out for in web development company hires, these include:
- Unresponsiveness/Lack of Communication
- A Promise of Low Fees and Fast Results
- Fewer Questions (More Problems)
- No Detailed Strategy for Web and Data Security
- Absence of Portfolios and Reviews
- Without the SEO Expertise and Lead Generation
- Their Own Website Needs Repair
- Bonus: Your Instincts Say No
While all these red flags have their own weight on your website creation and development choices, getting an idea of what they could mean for your business can greatly affect your operations and performance. So, with these in mind, are you willing to risk, or would you rather run?
Now that’s a decision you will have to make. And we hope you’ll make the right one.
Reach Out to Us
Proweaver has all the green flags you are looking for in a web development company. Be sure to get in touch with us through the following numbers:
+1-877-216-0852
+1-877-300-6564
or +1 (866) 777-8315
We look forward to working with you on your next dream website project!