The number of companies offering professional web design services is astounding and can be quite overwhelming. Narrow it down by going straight to the heart of the matter – the portfolio. A gallery of sites created by the web design company should showcase its best work. Close scrutiny of the portfolio will give you an impression of the quality, style and content of sites created by the web designer as well as its market potential. Web sites should feature good design components, simple, user-friendly navigation and good search engine optimization. Your web design company should fulfill all these requirements.

It is strongly recommended that you test the sites in its portfolio to determine the suitability of the web designer and web design company to meet your business and marketing needs. You can use some of the below methods to "test" a web design company's portfolio.

Please note that these are basic rules and there are always reasons to break the rules at certain times. Certain websites have different goals than others. Not every website needs to be optimized for the search engines.

Basic Functionality

• Do you enjoy the ‘look’ of the site? Consider another portfolio if you find the layout abrasive or lackluster. The web designer isn’t going to satisfy your aesthetic needs.
• Does it load quickly? Impatience is legendary amongst web users. The first page needs to load quickly and a good web designer will ensure it does.
• Test the navigation. Browse the sites in the portfolio and search for information. Did you find it quickly and easily or were links obscure and unclear? If any sites lack clarity, think twice.
• How flexible is the site? Your prospective clients have a variety of monitor sizes and visual acuity. If you change window sizes is the design hampered? Can you alter the font size? If you can, does it disturb the page layout?
• Does the site work in both Internet Explorer and other browsers such as FireFox and Opera? If not, ask your web design company why.
• Are pop-up windows included on the sites in the portfolio? These are the bane of many web surfers and there are number of pop-up blockers on the market that will prevent any such window from opening. Pop-up windows may not be the best thing for your site. Ask your web designer why he has included these.

Searching the Sites in Your Web Designer’s Portfolio

• Search for the sites listed in the portfolio using the company name. If several other companies have the same name it may not be first on the list but it should be ahead of any with similar names. Search engines are vital tools that keep your company where the action is. If it’s a problem, talk to your web designer.
• Analyze keywords – get specific with this test on all sites in the portfolio. Good web designers know all the tricks.
• Determine how the listing appears in the engine. Avoid an initial impression that might deter them for example ‘you will need to download’ or ‘only viewable using’. How does the portfolio rate? A savvy web designer will avoid these.

Testing Standard Design Features

• A standard design is far more likely to work well using any web browser and is easier to update. The portfolio should show evidence of this and your web designer should be consistent throughout.
• Un-friendly home page messages create a negative impression of your site. Avoid sites that indicate ‘Flash required’, ‘best viewed using Netscape’ or ‘best viewed using Internet Explorer. Scan the portfolio, your web designer should not be using this type of feature.

Conclusion

A technically sound portfolio suggests a knowledgeable web designer and a web design company worth its salt. By performing these basic tests you can determine if the sites created by the company will actually work to optimal levels. Choose one that builds web sites that will work on all the levels listed above and don’t get left behind in the global market!

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