As the Marketing Manager at Dentons, with a career that spans nearly 30 years, I am used to working with agencies to develop and launch websites for an interesting range of businesses, but finding a dependable agency is not necessarily as easy as you might think!

There are numerous things to consider, besides the budget you have available. If you are not used to the world of marketing and websites, it might seem a daunting task.

Here’s some criteria to be aware of when choosing a web design agency:

·        Firstly, do they really understand what you want?

There are lots of agencies out there who create websites that they think tick all the boxes without really listening to their client.  The only way a website project will really work as it should is if both the agency and you work together, developing a mutual understanding. There should be full communication about who is doing what, what is achievable, how long it will take and what the end result is likely to mean for you and your business.

·        Just as with any relationship there needs to be mutual respect – it’s important to find an agency that feels like “the right fit”. A professional digital agency like Dentons doesn’t just create a new website and then say “cheerio”.  It’s all about long-lasting relationships where the team can help customers well into the future, offering advice, support and the best digital services.

·        Any agency you consult with should be able to show you examples of websites they’ve created that are relevant and appropriate to your needs. You need a website that speaks to your customers, promotes your product or service in the best way possible, and generates sales. Your website should stand out from the competition, make the best use of your brand (logo) and entice as many people as possible to click on the “contact” button.

·        A website agency should have the right team in place to deliver the best website for you, delivering value for money inclusive of value-added features and services that can make an enormous difference to the success of your website.

We might be a small agency, but we have big ideas, offering free services that only larger agencies usually offer. These include a clever heatmapping tool which helps us to evaluate an existing site to identify the most popular pages, so that when we come to design and create the new website, we make the most of that information to increase enquiries.

We also offer a market-leading inbuilt Search Engine Optimisation features and analysis which helps to drive as much organic traffic to your website as possible. You get Google Ad Words support at launch and beyond, project management and Account Management which doesn’t just stop once your website is live, but continues for three months so that the team can make sure everything is working as it should.

·        It’s also worth considering that many agencies use freelancers and non-staff workers both in the UK and abroad to build all or part of  your website. Some manage this well, and some don’t. We at Dentons have a 100% UK-based in-house team at our office in Westbury, Wiltshire, with local knowledge.

·        Last but by no means least, do you want to be tied up in a long-term contract before you can take ownership of your website? No doubt you’d prefer not to, although many agencies give you no option. At Dentons your domain is your own from the start – you own your website, not the agency. So, when you put all that together what are you left with?

If you’re planning on investing in a new website you should be looking for an agency that you can trust, with a good track record of delivering websites that are similar to what you need.  Local knowledge and cost-effective, within budget solutions are essential. You need a digital agency that is passionate about forging and maintaining good relationships, with creative expert design and development staff.

I’m biased of course, but Dentons Digital ticks all those boxes for me!