Website design is of great importance in the process of business promotion and getting wider brand recognition online. The visitor’s first contact with the website is based on the visual perception of the page. If the appearance of the site is pleasant and interesting, then the user will linger there and want to learn more about the contents of the web resource.
A quality design is an indicator of the company’s image, an expression of its attitude to potential customers. If the site looks beautiful and original, it means that it is important for its owner to make a good impression on visitors, and that they are interested in the customers’ attention and appreciation.
The website’s design should be carried out according to special rules. Using modern technology, one can create a high-quality website, neatly and beautifully designed that is pleasing to the eye. As for the basics, it is important to take into account the size of the graphic files, since large-sized graphics will make the web pages take a long time to load, thus negatively affecting the effectiveness of the site. Not every user will want to wait a few minutes until the page is fully loaded. It is very likely that they will leave the site before they have time to get acquainted with the contents.
In addition, when designing a web product, it is necessary to correctly combine colors, monitor the color balance, correctly select the proportions, lighting, and volume of graphic elements. Professional UX/UI design agencies should take into account the goals of a web resource. That is why trusting website development to the professionals is so important.
The Workflow of a Professional Web Design Agency
If you’re thinking of hiring a design agency to work on your website, you need to know how the workflow is organized, as this will aid you in choosing a company that works according to international standards as well as receive a product that will surpass your expectations.
#1. The first stage of every web design project is collecting the requirements.
The customer prepares a statement of work, which is a technical task indicating the wishes and all the technical aspects. For example, they may want a very reserved style, a minimum number of icons and other details, lots of air, and free space. It is advisable to provide examples of sites that serve as suitable examples for style and usability.
It is also very important to tell the contractor about the specifics of your activity; simply put, for what purposes the site is made. Who is your target audience and main competitors? How will marketing promotion be carried out? Who will write texts, and so on.
Generally speaking, a good specialist will ask about all this themselves. In large companies, you will probably be talking to a project manager or business analyst when collecting this requirement. However, in smaller businesses, communication with the designer will be more direct.
#2. The customer discusses the requirements with the web designer.
At this stage, the team or individual designer is open for amendments and suggestions until a consensus is reached. There are a lot of design options for websites and web applications. All of which need to be discussed in detail. Then you agree on a plan of actions, set deadlines and milestones, and start working on the project.
#3. Next, the design team prepares sketches and wireframes that demonstrate the visuals of the product.
The animations are not added yet, however; they are already discussed with the client. The designer brings or sends the first sketches and agrees on them with the customer. If necessary, changes are made, and the work goes on: individual elements are worked out, typography is selected, etc. The parties agree on how often the approval will take place in the future during the project. Usually, in Agile methodology, it is every two weeks or every month.
#4. At some point, everything is ready and the product is being tested.
It is possible to test the product after or before the launch and make the last polishing of all features. While it is, of course, better to test the quality of a product before the release, it is not always possible because of budget and time limitations. Try to at least do it afterward.
#5. If you liked the work of a web designer, you should incentivize them to continue working on your website.
For example, create an advertising banner for a new collection or with information about the sale, or develop a new icon, or change the design of the main page.
Conclusion
Organizing an efficient workflow when collaborating with a web designer is the key to success. Be sure to meet the representative of a couple of different companies in order to find the team that best suits your personal process understanding.