A website is a significant addition to any business, so partner with an Alabama website designer who can create a virtual department that matches your company's style. There are many designers who develop websites. As you start your search, decide whether you need a basic site that functions as an informational resource, or an interactive site offering tools, products and membership.

Alabama website design firms can take a website from concept to completion, but building the website itself is only the first step. A fully functional website is only as good as the amount of traffic it attracts. Therefore, you need to ask yourself if you want your web designer to go further and market your site, a significant service that can make or break your online presence. When choosing from Alabama web designers, make sure of the following.

1. Ask to see your Alabama professional web designer's portfolio, request references and make sure the designer has enough experience to make the website you desire.

2. When checking the designer’s references, ask past clients about the designer’s professionalism, response time and organizational skills.

3. Certainly, budgets and time tables are subject to change; but sign a contract so you can stay in control of the design process.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Decide which services you need from Alabama website designers

Website designers differ not only in style, but in the services they offer. Some web design in Alabama is limited to simply designing a site and filling it with client-provided content. Other designers will go further and use your ideas to design, layout and write the copy for your site, and then carry out a search engine marketing strategy. If you can afford these services, and trust your web designer, this will save you significant time and hassle.

I recommend: Kinetic Communications and Dixie Studios for Web Design can both handle your project, from web hosting to marketing. Their services include search engine marketing, web hosting, web maintenance, support and consulting.

Opt for website design in Alabama that specializes in e-commerce

If you want to sell products online, then e-commerce is for you. Many web designers include e-commerce development in their services, but their prices are really dependent on the volume of products you wish to sell and the merchant services you plan to offer. Database driven e-commerce solutions require additional software and coding, so make sure you are clear about what you want so your designer is clear about the charge.

I recommend: Ntensemedia offers a working demo of their basic e-commerce package. Zeekee Interactive can help you set up an easy, effective and secure system to manage your online transactions and sales.

Figure out who will maintain your Alabama website design

If you are web savvy and have the time, or maybe you already employ a web savvy person, then you may consider self-maintenance. This will definitely save costs. Most design companies have a content management system (CMS) set up so you can to maintain your own website, should you desire to do so. This option usually requires no programming skills and ultimately saves you money.

I recommend: Virticle offers web design in Auburn, Alabama; they provide a CMS that motivates you to manage information flow to your Web site. Internet Business Solutions provides Total User Control, a dynamic web development service that lets you manage your web presence.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  The copy for your website design in Alabama should be informative, but not too extensive. More importantly, it should contain search engine optimized (SEO) content, so your site pops up when customers look for the product or service you company offers.