FAQs

How do I know when I've found the right design firm?

In the same way you'd know when you found a good pair of shoes, it'll just feel comfortable. In order to evaluate a potential firm, you should consider the following:

1. Portfolio, portfolio, portfolio. Do you like it? Does it speak to what you're trying to accomplish for your site? Are the sites user-friendly in addition to being attractive? Does the company seem to focus on one industry or vertical?
2. Quality of Proposal. A good proposal from a design firm should include details about every component of your project, how much they cost, and estimated timelines for delivery. The detail and care in the proposal is often a reflection of the detail and care you will get for your project.
3. Knowledge and Responsiveness. The sign of a truly worthwhile firm is one that takes the time to answer any questions you might about how the process works or gladly explains terms and topics you're unfamiliar with.

Why do some websites cost $40 and others cost $150K?

These days, anyone with the right software can call themselves a web designer, so it’s often challenging to separate one-man hobbyists from full-service agencies. Here are a few factors that tend to separate the cheap from the pricey:

1. The size of the team. Obviously, small outfits are cheaper, but really small operations are going to be plagued by people wearing too many hats, or staff that might be jacks of all trades and masters of none. Go with an organization that is too big, and you might be dealing with unnecessary overhead and less personal attention.
2. The amount of hours devoted to a project. Many firms will limit the number of concepts or revisions that you get. Make sure you know what that is up-front.
3. The quality of the design/designers. A really seasoned designer, one that has a solid portfolio, and a fine arts degree, is going to charge more for what they do. That said, having a degree does not mean you’re talented, so trust your gut when evaluating a firm’s portfolio. Design is incredibly subjective, so just like buying artwork for your home, pick what you like and what feels like the best reflection of your style.

How many offices do you have?

Gravitate has one office located in Vancouver, WA. It’s our home base and we like it because it has ample parking and a ping-pong table (and a small gym that no one uses – for shame!). Our website mentions other cities because we target 6 geographical areas for marketing purposes. We have extensive connections in these cities and have regional specialties associated with each, from government clients in DC to real estate in Florida. Our localization in these markets has enabled us to grow our business on a national level, while still retaining a very personal, local feeling.

Do I own my website or do you lease it to me?

We’ve heard of cases where some people pay for a website but then have to pay licensing fees to use it. Unless the site is built upon proprietary software or is powered by a data engine that you don’t own, you should absolutely have full ownership of your website. Like any work for hire, you should have the ability to move your website to a different hosting environment if necessary or use another vendor if your current designers go out of business or you end the relationship. Make sure your rights to the work are clearly outlined in your contract before you engage any design company and make a backup of your website on a regular basis in case of emergency.

How do I get a high ranking in the search engines for my website?

High ranking in the search engines is dependent on a host of different factors, including amount of keywords in your content and linkages. Never trust a web company that says they can guarantee first page placement on Google. For one, Google does not design their search engine to be easily manipulated. And even the world's top search engine experts would never claim to have a search engine "figured out".
The best way to be placed high in the search engines is to write a lot of good, relevant content for your website. This gives your site a lot of credibility and offers tremendous value to web users. Additionally, work with a reputable search engine marketing firm to pursue an aggressive placement campaign.

Cyndi, can I have your apple pie recipe?

No.