The success of a web design and user experience agency hinges on two primary components – understanding the customer’s needs and expectations, and crafting an interface that allows for seamless communication. The term “ui” is now used to describe any design element found in a web site, including color schemes, navigation bars, videos, and more. While many web design companies choose to hire a web development firm to complete their web site design and user experience solutions, some companies prefer to work with a web design and user experience agency on their own. If you are interested in working with a web design and user experience agency, understanding how this unique aspect of web design works can help you work with the agency you prefer.
Understanding what it is that a web design company does when they create your web site can help you determine if you want to work with them or not. One thing to keep in mind is that web design and user experience agencies aren’t the same thing. When you hire a web design company, you are hiring a team of highly skilled professionals who will be able to effectively execute your client’s needs and expectations.
(Read more about finding the proper communication channels from Sortlist blog).
A web design and user experience agency will typically focus on visual elements of your web site, as well as other functional components such as shopping carts and forms. They will also create marketing material, such as copy that describes your web site, as well as other collateral and support for your web site. The goal of a web design and user experience firm is to design a website that is functional and user-friendly. In order for this to happen, the web design company will first discuss with you your current business goals and objectives, as well as your specific web design needs. They will then gather information from you about what types of things you are trying to accomplish, your frustrations with the current web design and user experience you are dealing with, and what improvements you would like to see.
Once you have shared your objectives with your web design and user experience firm, the two companies will sit down and begin a comprehensive process of researching your business online, as well as spending time speaking with you directly on the phone. You will provide the web design company with lots of your contact information, including the type of web design and user experience you need, as well as any special requirements you have. This initial call will help the web design and user experience firm understand your business and what it is you are looking for. The design firm may decide to build websites specifically to meet your needs, or build a general website that they can customize in order to better serve your customers. You may also be asked to provide additional information, such as copies of press releases, technical manuals, and anything else that could help the web design and user experience firm better understand your needs. The goal of this call is to understand what is important to you, what specifications are most important to you, and how you want your website to function and be user-friendly.
Once you have provided the web design and user experience firm with an initial meeting or interview, you will receive a lot of information about what it is that you are looking for, and how you want your website to work. These meetings or interviews will often include discussions about graphics, colors, flash designs, and more, depending on the specific needs of your business. You may also be asked to provide examples of previous websites you have designed and developed, and ask to see their websites in order to get a feel for how they currently operate.
Once you have met with a web design and user experience firm, you will be provided with a proposal and schedule for completion. At this point you can choose to either accept the proposal or decline, but if you accept the proposal, you must keep within the agreed upon budget, which can sometimes be quite strict. While meeting with web design and user experience firms is not necessary for every project, it certainly does help to learn more about the process, so that you understand what is happening at all times, and are prepared for anything that may come up during the course of the project. Meeting with different professionals will give you a better understanding of what you can expect as well as more choices for creating and operating a great website.