If you spend a few minutes searching for web design solutions, you will find that the majority of web design companies do not actually design websites. The business model of these so-called ‘web designers’ is attractive – thus their proliferation. It goes like this: Agency purchases a website template on your behalf (average cost: $49). You buy a domain. Agency slaps on the template and instructs you to input content. The end. There is nothing wrong with this approach, but it can hardly be called design.

At Tanzilite, we build websites as unique as your business. So, yes, we do design websites! A website should highlight your business in the best possible way. Show off your greatest assets. Build trust and credibility. Present you as an authority in your field. The best websites elevate your business. It becomes the cornerstone of your organization.

A modern website is complex and multifaceted. It serves many purposes. There is a reason that most of our website projects turn into long-term client engagements – and no, it is not because of the contract term (website projects are generally fixed-price pay-and-own).

Start by asking yourself – What do I need on my website? What pages should my website have? What functionality can be useful to my customers? If you don’t know, then make sure your agency can help. We start off all website projects with a Website Plan & Strategy phase. This defines your site’s pages, their layouts, and functionality. You may not know what’s possible. We do.

A business’ needs varies, but here are some common ones and how we can help:

• Logo & Graphic Design: Logos, branding, graphics, print collateral – you name it, we can design it. We have an eye for design. Having your website company also be your graphic designer just makes sense.
• Custom Development: We have a team of senior developers to build any functionality that you may dream of. If your dreams do not match your budget, we’ll tell you.
• Integration & Automation: We are certified Zapier experts, the leader in workflow automation. Besides what we can do with Zapier, we have experience with all kinds of APIs and integrations.
• Content Writing: Not only do we help plan your content, we can also help write it. You’d be surprised how well our writers can write for your niche. We know how important content is to a website and how too often it’s overlooked. Providing your own content but need a proofreader? We can help as well.
• SEO Marketing: Looking to attract new customers from search engines? SEO must be planned and built into the website from the start. From content strategy to technical audits, our sites are ready to capitalize on organic SEO.

If you think you have just purchased a website for 12 low monthly payments of $99, then you are in for a big surprise. Be cautious of website design companies that rent you your own website. Read the terms and buy-out options very carefully. Make sure you own not just the “website,” but also the domain, phone number, email address, and site contents. We have been involved in too many website hostage situations. Spoiler alert – the hostage rarely makes it out unscathed.

It is important to know what will be required of your firm throughout the project. Collaboration is key to successful websites. The question of “who does what” is the pitfall of many website designers. We know this because we oftentimes inherit these started-but-never-finished projects. Clear and concise roles are critical for project success.

There are five distinct areas in which we will need your involvement:

1. Project Kickoff & Onboarding Questionnaire

   This is generally split into two separate meetings. In the first meeting immediately after signing, we introduce our processes and review what details we need to create the best website for your business. We send you a questionnaire which we review together in the second meeting.

2. Website Plan Approval

   Working off your goals and questionnaire, we create the blueprint of your new website. We’ll have a list of pages and their structure. We’ll have notes on functionality and other key elements. We need your feedback and approval to start off the next phase: design. Here, we will also define what content we need from you vs. what we’ll be writing on your behalf.

3. Webpage Design Approvals

   We design. You give feedback. We keep designing and iterating quickly until all pages are finalized & approved. You get unlimited design revisions — we make sure you love your new site before the next phase: development.

4. Final Walk-Through

   Once the designs have been coded and the website has been tested across different devices and situations, you’re ready for your walk-through. We’ll review all your beautiful new webpages and any functionality. We’ll make last-minute changes if we need to and then we’re ready to go live. We’ll confirm your web hosting and carefully migrate your new site. For site redesigns, we make sure all old pages lead to the new equivalent pages so no visitors get lost.

5. Celebrate Your New Site

   We party! But also – we have our Project Wrap-up presentation. Among other things, we make sure you’re comfortable with your new site. We show you how to edit and maintain things. We package up website backups for your safe-keeping. And we talk about next steps – how else can you benefit from our partnership?