A website is a significant addition to any business, so partner with a Maine web design firm that can create a virtual department to match 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.

Maine web designers 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 picking from web design companies in Maine, make sure of the following.

1. Ask to see your Maine website 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 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 a Maine website design firm

Website designers differ not only in style, but in the services they offer. Some design companies limit their services 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: Firefly and Planet Maine can both handle your project, from web hosting to marketing. Their services also include web design, search engine marketing, web hosting, web maintenance, support and consulting.

Opt for a Maine professional web designer who 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: Maine Web FX integrates shopping carts into your site to give consumers full-service access when visiting your company's site. Artopa works with you to determine which e-commerce solution works the best for your web site.

Figure out who will maintain your Maine small business web 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 that 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: The Port Web Design offers a CMS that lets you make changes to your site. AfterFive by Design, Inc. also provides a CMS so you can easily manage every aspect of your website.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  As you plan your website design in Maine, minimize graphics, flash media and scripts. These hugely increase the size of your site and negatively impact loading time. Visitors usually don't have time to wait for a slow site to load up.