Web Development Q&A

There is usually a difference between hiring local and foreign web developers, but the lines are blurry. Here are a few things to keep in mind when hiring web developers - local or foreign:

• Project brief - whatever your approach, the best asset you can bring to a discussion is a comprehensive brief and outline of what you want. Before speaking with any developers, get clear on your own non-negotiables, even if they’re very basic. 
• Platform - be aware that there are different platforms on which your website can be built. Whether or not you hire a developer that will manage your site ongoing, it needs to be easily managed by other parties - either yourself or a future developer. Steer away from custom-built back-ends, unless part of the project is delivering a comprehensive set of user instructions. 
• Language - yes, if you hire someone from outside Australia, it’s possible their native language is not English. This can present a challenge when you’re trying to communicate what you want (or, indeed anything) - be aware you’ll have to put in extra effort to be clear.
• Cost - it is often cheaper to hire a foreign web developer, because of different pay rates. Sometimes this translates to lower quality work - but not always. Have a clear checklist of things you want from your website, and the performance you expect, and ‘lower quality’ need not be an issue. 

These are just a few of the factors to consider when hiring a web developer. It’s an exciting time - and usually a pretty big project. Good luck! 
 

Would love to hear your thoughts on this @Meng Lin 

Hi Charlotte, can you give some details on what the website will do? e.g. mainly static pages? Will it have a content management system for blogging purposes? e-commerce? any other main features?

Not easy to answer in few sentence.

To make an accurate cost, you’d need to know:

• Did the site use a template or is it a custom design?
• What technology was used to build it?
• Was it made by the site owner or by someone else?
• Are the images stock or taken professionally?
• What backend functionality does the site offer?

Because of these variables (and many more), websites can cost anywhere between $100 for a personal website to $100,000+ for a custom enterprise site.

Clearly, I have a strong interest in this, which i must declare. But here goes:
 

1. Understanding Your Goals: What are your goals for the website? This could include:

   • Brand Awareness: Enhancing online presence and making your brand more visible.
   • E-commerce: Setting up an online store to sell products or services.
   • Lead Generation: Capturing leads through forms, sign-ups, or contact information.
   • Content Publishing: Regularly publishing blogs, news, or multimedia content.
   • Customer Support: Offering online support, FAQs, or resource centers.

2. Technical Competence and Experience:

   • Does the agency have experience in your specific industry?
   • Can the agency show examples of their previous projects similar to your requirements?
   • Is your agency technically competent when things go wrong or if your site is hacked?

3. Agency’s Reliability and Future Support:

   • Will your agency be there in a year?
   • What sort of hosting are you being provided with?
   • The web is changing hour by hour; will your software be updated and secure?
   • Does the agency offer ongoing maintenance and support post-launch?

4. Staffing and Support:

   • Do you have competent staff to support a website?
   • Do you require 'on-call' support?

5. Project Management and Communication:

   • How does the agency manage projects, and what is their communication process with clients?

6. SEO, Digital Marketing, and Additional Services:

   • Can the agency assist with SEO and other digital marketing efforts?
   • What kind of customization vs. template solutions do they offer?

7. Understanding and Specification of Requirements:

   • Do you know what to ask for? Much of what comprises a website is hidden - speed, security, metadata, ranking capability.
   • Are you considering DIY solutions like Wix and Shopify? Do you have the time and familiarity to effectively use these platforms?

8. Cost, Investment, and Value:

   • What is the agency's pricing model, and how are payments structured?
   • Can they provide testimonials or references from past clients?

9. Compliance and Accessibility:

   • Does the agency ensure that websites are accessible and compliant with relevant laws and guidelines?

10. Scalability:

    • Can the solutions provided by the agency grow with your business?

This comprehensive evaluation framework, starting with a detailed understanding of your goals, will ensure you choose a web agency that aligns with your needs and supports your business objectives effectively.

I wrote about speedup ecommece website in easy way here -

http://webdesignxperts.com.au/blog/speed-up-your-e-commerce-website/