When you are investing in a new website for your business, it's crucial that you pick the right team. You need a team who will help you maximise the potential of your new site and achieve winning results.
So, how do you pick a team that will achieve the results you want?
You know you need a new website that will work harder for you, you have mapped what you need the website to do in order to drive your business goals and achieve return on your investment, and you either are the person who makes the budget decisions, or you have secured the necessary financial commitment to allow the project to proceed.
What next?
What you need is a C.H.A.M.P. team
It's likely that you are going to need help and support to get your new site up and 'out there'. After that, you will need ongoing enhancements and maintenance but from a time and money point of view, this will be a smaller commitment.
You need a flexible team who can deliver:
- A site that will fulfil all the user stories and business goals you already determined in your Website Strategy.
- A responsive website, ensuring top quality viewing is available on all devices whether mobile, desktop or anywhere in between.
- A great design that is visually appealing, by a developer with an in-depth understanding of how people behave online and how to structure the content to the best effect.
- Within a realistic budget as you need to achieve a return on your investment.
To achieve this, you need a C.H.A.M.P. in your corner. They may not be the cheapest, the flashiest, or the biggest company. A C.H.A.M.P. team will focus on delivering the things that matter most to you!
This will mean different things to different people, however, here are five top tips that will help you find the right team for you.
C is for Client Focused
This team are focused on you, the client, rather than their own egos and achievements. This is a team that will listen to you.
Ways to spot it: They take the time to find out lots about your business and your overarching goals. They demonstrate that they want to make sure your needs are properly met and understand that your site needs to make a return on the investment.
What it's not: An initial consultation all about their accolades, their latest 'cool' project or what they are doing for other clients. In fact, they are so busy talking about themselves, that you wonder if they actually grasped, or even care, what it is you need.
H is for Helpful
This team are people you can work with. They won't blind you with science or bamboozle you with jargon.
Ways to spot it: The technology they offer is clearly a tool to achieve your goals, not the epicentre of their universe. They are able to explain easily and simply, how they will use the right technology that best meets your needs.
What it's not: When talking about technology, they eulogise about their use of the latest technologies, using terms you don't understand and you end up totally baffled. You don't even understand how what they are talking about relates to the problems you need solving.
A is for Adaptable
This team is adaptable in their approach, able to deliver your work in phases or as a 'big bang' launch. They will partner with you to determine the right scope for your budget and deliver it in a way that works best for your business.
Ways to spot it: When explaining their process, they speak about different delivery methods, project management methodologies, and approaches. They find out how your business likes to receive information, who the key stakeholders are and what roles they will play in the project.
What it's not: There is no process! Don't mistake 'super-flexible' for 'totally disorganised'!
Conversely, if their process is so rigid, and their cost structure so complex, that you dread to think what will happen to your budget if you need any unforeseen changes during the project. Trust your instincts.
M is for Masters of their Craft
This team are masters in their field with the right mix of interpersonal and technical skills to meet your needs now and to grow with you in the future.
Ways to spot it: Their individual capabilities are interwoven and include services that you may not need right now but could be critical in the future. They have a significant amount of repeat business from loyal customers who they've been working with for a year or more.
What it's not: it's unclear who does what within their organisation, and they're evasive or non-specific about who delivered any of their past projects. Alternatively, they have a clear team with defined roles and skills but are 'hit and run' deliverers. They can't evidence the ability to grow with a client's requirements. They are masters of the 'one-off' project.
P is for Proven
It is easy to find evidence that they can do what they say they can!
Ways to spot it: They have a range of case studies and testimonials available to demonstrate their skill sets and how the ROI was achieved. They are perfectly happy for you to speak to existing clients.
What it's not: There's not much proof to back up their claims They become evasive when you ask to see testimonials or to speak to clients.
To set yourself up for success it's crucial to get a C.H.A.M.P. team on board. There are no hard and fast rules as to who that team will be as every project is unique.
However, by following our five top tips to pick a C.H.A.M.P. team, you can confidently make the right choice for your business.
