Choosing a supplier for your online requirements can be a challenge. Web design suppliers are ten a penny and the difficulty is understanding what to look for, and the things to avoid when choosing a supplier.

It’s very easy to set-up and run a small web design operation with little or no track record – and indeed in many cases with little in the way of real training or a solid skill-set.

Identifying and avoiding such companies should be high on your list of priorities.

Many of our clients come to us for help when they discover that their existing supplier cannot meet their growing requirements, or even worse discover that they’re no longer trading when further enhancements or advice is sought. A website is an ongoing investment, and it can prove a costly exercise to make that investment only to find your supplier cannot deliver in the longer term.

Do they have a proven track record?

It’s vital to look for a supplier with a proven track record. Don’t be fooled by an impressive website. Speak to the supplier and ask about specific examples of successful websites that they have produced and that are relevant to your industry. Ask for testimonials and case studies from satisfied customers – even better, ask to speak to those customers directly to find out first hand about their experiences. Be wary of those suppliers who refuse you on this; a quality supplier should always be able to help you here.

Will the website hosting be reliable?

There’s no point in having a quality website if it’s frequently unavailable because the Web space where it is hosted is unreliable. Ask about the company’s technical infrastructure:
• Will they provide hosting for your website?
• Is the hosting provided in-house or by a third party supplier?
• How reliable is the hosting? Don’t be afraid to ask for reliability statistics here.

Search Engine Optimisation is essential…

A good web design supplier will place emphasis on building sites to maximise the chances of being highly visible in search engine results. Look for a supplier who can provide additional search engine promotion services along with creating your website. A great website is useless if your target audience are unaware that it exists. Ask for examples of successful promotion undertaken for other customers:
• Where do those customers now appear in the search engine results?
• Have those customers seen increased business as a result?

Remember - a good supplier should be able to answer all of these questions convincingly and back them up with examples and testimonials - avoiding those suppliers who do not will make your path to online success much smoother.

Whether you need a polished corporate design, a strong brand image, or an up-to-the-minute new look, Zen Web Solutions can create exactly the Internet presence you are looking for - with all the built-in functionality you need. Our experienced consultancy team takes pride in maintaining the skills to provide any form of online business development, and we can back this up with proven experience in delivering visitors - and with that potential new business - to your website.

ZenPartner Commission is awarded upon a successful web solutions referral through the ZenPartner Programme. Commission rate a 5% base model with a cap of £500 per website across all levels.

To check out the types of products that you could be offering your customers, check out the Web Solutions Web site www.zenwebsolutions.com. Alternatively, for more information or to make a referral, please contact your Account Manager or the ZenPartner Team on 0845 058 9080 or info@zenpartner.com.