When you want to know how to choose a web developer, the first step you is understanding what your website is. More than a digital brochure or a summary of your services, it’s often the first interaction a potential customer has with your brand—and you know what they say about first impressions.

If you decide to work with a website development agency, you choose them by identifying a partner that can align with your strategy (or help you strategize), visually express your brand with creative choices that are true to your company’s spirit, and makes every choice with your audience’s experience in mind.

User Experience and Strategy Go Hand in Hand

Before you reach out to developers, try defining your strategy. Is it brand awareness? Immediate sales?

Whether it’s these or something else, your priority will dictate the strategy you develop for your website. In addition to goals, that strategy could also include visual/design direction, preferences for written or video content, and more. When it’s on point, it will be the roadmap your developer uses to design and deliver an effective user experience.

With that in mind, here’s how to choose a web developer that can act on your strategy:

• They pay attention to user experience while still delivering an appealing visual design
• They have case studies in their portfolio that match your industry, and the sites on display are easily understood and used while quickly moving you to perform a clear action (e.g. add an item to your cart)

And just in case, here’s what to look for in a web developer if the strategy for your site could use some extra expertise:

• A developer who asks questions about your goals, audience, and competitive landscape
• A portfolio of strategic website design projects that meet or exceed client goals
• Case study sites that show a developer can translate their clients’ unique value propositions into visuals that captivate and convert visitors

These are not exhaustive lists, so make sure you consider your unique priorities before seeking a developer. They also don’t mention the basic technical skills that every developer you look into should possess, such as knowledge of HTML, CSS, or other popular frameworks. They should also have a solid knowledge of user experience principals

Creative-Backed Developers Enhance Your Strategy with Excellent Visual Expression

When you want to know how to choose a web developer, another great piece of advice is to consider a website development agency instead of a solo freelancer. While a solopreneur developer can get the job done, agencies offer expertise that spans multiple industries, making it hard to match. A website development agency typically brings together a team of designers, developers, UX specialists, content strategists, and SEO experts. This multidisciplinary approach ensures every aspect of your site—from visual design to backend functionality—is crafted with strategic intent. In other words, there truly is power in numbers.

That said, power in numbers is only true if the creatives supporting your developer have the skill to bring your brand to life with compelling design and copywriting. If you’re reading this and making a list of what to look for in a web developer, put this one near the top. The team around your developer should demonstrate an ability to consistently portray your brand voice in written content, while designers should show a thorough mastery of color psychology, typography hierarchy, and layout structures that can guide users’ attention to the actions you want them to take.

Pick a Dev Who’s There for the Long Haul

Don’t overlook the importance of ongoing support when choosing a website development agency. In our fast-evolving digital landscape, your website needs to adapt continuously. With that in mind, here’s what to look for in a web developer with good support:

• Performance monitoring
• A/B testing
• Incremental improvements.
• Ongoing optimization for SEO and design as needed

This type of ongoing commitment ensures your strategic website design stays effective as user behaviors and market trends change.

Choose a Developer Who Does Marketing with Integrity

A strategic website design is a critical business asset that’s only possible when you have an agency partner that treats your business with honesty, accountability, transparency, and respect. These qualities ensure that your design is sound, technically and aesthetically, while always putting your goals and your audience first.

If that’s the kind of website development agency you’re looking for, contact Mascola Group. As a full-service marketing agency helping luxury, lifestyle, travel, and B2B clients exceed their goals for more than 30 years, we have the web and creative expertise to bring your site to life online.

To begin your successful website design, contact us today.