Getting outside help with your website is one of the smartest decisions you can make. But, outside of technical and design expertise, how do you decide who to hire? Here are three principles to help you make a great choice.
Principle One
Choose a partner who will get to know your business
It’s true that not all technical people are great “people” people. It may be a rare breed, but choose someone who’s not only competent, but will also take the time to listen (and keep listening) to your strategy, goals, and processes.
Principle Two
Choose a partner who will stick around
There is so much to be gained from a relationship with longevity. But, it can be hard to determine who will be “in it for the long haul” with you. While there’s no guarantee, you can ask questions that will clue you in: How many clients do they work with? How long have they worked with those clients? Do they offer long-term support agreements?
Principle Three
Choose a partner who will produce value, not just expense.
When making design and technical decisions, you want your partner to be considering not just how it accomplishes requirements, but also how it benefits your organization. In fact, this is one of the great benefits to bringing in outside help: they’re uniquely positioned to help you keep a user-focused, big-picture perspective.
And We’ve Only Just Begun
A solid relationship is built on countless tangible and intangible factors. Take your time in the beginning to make sure a partner ticks the right boxes for your company. Start with a small project, and consider the three principles above. In the end, the right partner will be a huge asset to your team.