Choosing a web development company can be a difficult process, especially if you don’t know what to look for or what questions to ask. It can be even more challenging when you’re considering hiring an offshore team, but there are plenty of benefits to doing so that may convince you it’s the right move to make. In order to help you make the best choice, we’ve created this guide on how to choose a web development company for your business.

Look at their past clients

Web development companies are only as good as their portfolio. See how they’ve helped other businesses and get in touch with them to find out what they can do for you. Have a look at past projects, read customer testimonials, and find out how much time it took them to develop each project so you know what kind of timeframe you can expect when hiring your own web developer. There are tons of web development companies out there—so do your research!

 Other than checking out their portfolio, you can also see how long they’ve been in business and if they are properly insured. The longer a company has been around, and providing high-quality services, the better. If you cannot find any information about an agency’s insurance coverage on their website, ask them directly. This is important because if your site gets hacked or there is a data breach it will not only be very costly but could lead to fines from regulators as well.

Check if they have worked on similar projects

It’s important that you work with an agency that has experience building out websites similar to what you want. Different types of businesses will have different needs when it comes to web development, so it’s important that your firm understands all of these differences. The better they understand your business, goals and audience, the more likely they are to be able to deliver something useful in a reasonable amount of time and within budget.

 When you’re considering different web development firms, look over their portfolio. Are they able to provide references? Do they have testimonials from customers on their website? What types of projects have they worked on in the past? Looking at previous projects can give you some insight into how well they understood and were able to meet with your needs as a client. It may also be helpful if you contact one of their current or past clients for a reference.

Get referrals from people you trust

If you know other business owners who have a web development company, ask them who they would recommend. If you don’t know anyone else with an online presence, check out reviews of web developers on various industry-specific sites like Clutch and Yelp. Look at their customer testimonials and find out more about what they do by reading their website.

 If you’re looking at hiring an online marketing company or other web development firm, ask them questions and find out if they have experience with companies similar to yours. Also, look at their past work and see how it can be useful for your business. If you’re hoping they will build you a website or help with SEO or PPC ads, check their portfolio of past clients and see if there are any examples that are similar.

Ask about implementation timeframes

Any good website development company will be able to tell you exactly how long it will take them to build your website and app. If they don’t seem able or willing to give you that information up front, walk away. A reputable company should know exactly how long each step of building your site will take and their timeline should be open-ended enough that they can adjust it based on your feedback as they implement each piece of the puzzle.

Avoid Scams with Due Diligence

Before hiring any web development company, check out their portfolio and ask for recommendations from others who have worked with them. Look through several different portfolios of reputable companies, not just one or two. You want to make sure you’re working with a company that has both experience and good design chops before you sign on with them—not only will it save you money in the long run, but it also helps ensure that your business is getting an accurate portrayal of what your site will look like when it’s finished.