The Ocean Agency

Obviously, you probably know to look at a web design company’s previous performance when evaluating them for your website design or redesign project. Viewing a creative web design portfolio is probably one of the first things you do when checking out a potential partner. But what should you look for in their portfolio, other than well designed websites? It might help to find clients in a company’s portfolio that are similar to your company.

The first step is isolating the particular problems that your company or your industry has on the web. For instance, this article highlights the unique issues that restaurants have with their websites– the ones that immediately turn users away, like problems finding the hours, extensive flash intros or poor usability. Understand your own industry’s usability issues, and see if the portfolio you’re viewing has solutions to offer.

You may find that a potential web design company has served other companies in your industry. This experience could be very valuable, if they can confront your situation with accumulated knowledge and research. Sometimes, the only way to isolate and solve problems within your web design is through trial-and-error. By previously working in your industry, a web design company may have already been through the trials so that you can benefit from their experience.

Additionally, you may find the solutions to your problems, even if a certain web design company hasn’t served your industry. Check and see if they have had to confront the issues that plague your user experience. Have other designs failed to capture your company’s character because they were generic? Look for creative web design in a portfolio. Has organization or usability been a problem? Actually go to the company’s designs– don’t just look at screen shots. If you have a problem navigating their sites, your users may, too.

Finding the right web design company for your company and for you industry can be an extensive process, but knowing your own shortcomings before you start looking can aid and quicken your search.