The document provides guidance on how to find and appoint a website development agency. It recommends defining project requirements and creating a brief, then researching and contacting potential agencies. Top agencies should be invited to propose solutions. Proposals should be carefully reviewed by comparing deliverables, costs, professionalism and rapport. The best fit is selected based on an "educated decision" considering these factors and the people you will work with. The process aims to thoroughly plan the project and select the most suitable agency partner.

1. How to find and appoint a website development agency

2. Richard Johnson

3. Business Development Director

5. Worked in almost all roles within an agency...

6. ...including being the client!

7. Oxford University Victorianox US Airtours Action for Blind People Nicolas Wines Feng Sushi

8. How to find and appoint a website development agency

9. Ask questions throughout. Don't save them to the end.

10. Part One Defining your project & creating a brief Part Two Finding suitable web agencies Part Three Select and appoint the right agency

11. Part One Defining your project

12. 1. Planning and objectives 2. Events, dates & people 3. Who you are & your customers 4. USP's / Reasons to buy 5. Content & structure 6. Budget planning 7. Current website 8. Technology & devices 9. Design & Search Marketing

13. Get your business plan? What's in your marketing plan? What budget have you set?

14. Start your project brief.

15. What are the objectives of the website...

16. We want more customer enquiries from the website. We would like to cut down on the amount of internal paperwork. We would like to sell £1m worth of products online.

17. or... my boss told me we need a website!

18. Are there any events or important dates that might affect the project?

19. trade show board meeting company re-branding exercise product launch

20. List out who might be involved in the project

21. You? Copywriters / website editor? A designer? People from marketing? The Managing Director? If he/she wants to make decisions they need to be involved in this brief and the entire process of the project.

22. Explain who your company is and what you provide...

23. This is important for: A. You. To make sure you can briefly describe your business and... B. The website agency need to understand your business (and your customers)

24. Target audience / Your customers

25. Age ranges? Type of job they hold? Do they spend a lot of time online? Are they very technical?

26. If you are selling a product online (ecommerce) then list what the products are and...

27. Type of products Costs of products Average order value Where you ship to / sell to

28. What are your USP's? What makes your customers buy / use your services?

29. Cost? Quality? Speed of delivery? You are the only company that offers X?

30. Do you have existing content available? Are you planning to write / have written new content? Have you drafted a site map?

31. What is your budget range for the project?

32. Don't put "as little as possible" The good agency will tailor the solution to fit your budget.

33. A successful website needs attention and support from the agency. (unless you can provide a web team...)

34. Budget for: Hosting Technical support Online Marketing Training

35. Many of our clients spend between £600 - £2500 per month on ongoing Online Marketing.

36. Your current website...

37. What does it do well? What does it do badly? Visitor statistics? Can you provide access to your Analytics package?

38. Don't make technology decisions yourself Ask the agency for advice If you need integration with a CRM or stock management system list it.

39. You might already have a content management system... You might have a document management system or a feed from somewhere that needs to be integrated.

40. A website can be optimised for many different devices

41. PC Netbook iPhone iPad Blackberry and many other mobile devices...

42. and Printers If you have info that usually gets printed out, it would make sense to add this.

43. Start with the minimum requirements. You can always add support for more devices later.

44. Provide examples of website design that you LIKE and that you feel is APPROPRIATE for your business

45. Provide examples of website design that you DISLIKE and that you feel is INAPPROPRIATE for your business.

46. The agency will go through a design brief with you.

47. Provide top 5 keyword phrases that you would like to target on search engines.

48. Don't put 'Holidays' or "Printing" Generic and take too much time and investment.

49. "content management agency london" "website design and cms london" "open source website agency london"

50. add anything else that is important?

51. 1. Planning and objectives 2. Events, dates & people 3. Who you are & your customers 4. USP's / Reasons to buy 5. Content & structure 6. Budget planning 7. Current website 8. Technology & devices 9. Design & Search Marketing

52. Part Two Finding web agencies

53. 1. Find agencies 2. Create a list 3. Research the agencies 4. Narrow down selection 5. Talk to the remaining agencies 6. Visit the remaining agecnies 7. Get references

54. Make a list of websites that you like

55. See if you can find which agency built it.

56. Start a spread sheet...

57. ...list the agencies you find.

58. Check out: Econsultancy Supplier Directory for web agency lists.

59. Talk to peers and other directors

60. Ask questions on LinkedIn and other professional portals. Twitter (and other social networks) Every man and his...

62. Go through your list and read their websites...

63. Get the list down to 5 or 6

64. Now it's time for a conversation...

65. Give them a call See how you feel once you start talking with them.

66. You must feel comfortable. You could be working with them for...

67. 5 years

68. When down to 3 meet with them

69. Visit their office and discuss your brief

70. This is called a chemistry meeting

71. The first meeting...

72. Ask them to introduce their business

73. Ask about the team

74. Ask them to run you through their latest work in detail.

75. Ask for some references...

76. But ask if you can pick some at random?

77. Call these clients and ask them:

78. What they think of AgencyX? Did they deliver everything that they proposed in the project?

79. 1. Find agencies 2. Create a list 3. Research the agencies 4. Narrow down selection 5. Talk to the remaining agencies 6. Visit the remaining agecnies 7. Get references

80. Part Three Appointing web agencies

81. 1. Request proposal 2. Read & mark-up proposals 3. Update your agency list 4. Make a educated decision 5. Select your agency

82. If you're happy, ask for a proposal.

83. If they are happy, they will provide one.

84. Ideally the agency should talk you through it.

85. Once you have your copy follow these steps:

86. TIP: Use a highlighter.

87. Firstly, read the whole document from cover to cover. Then do something else to clear your mind. Read the second proposal from cover to cover. Have a break and clear your mind. Read the final proposal from cover to cover.

88. Now you have marked up each of the proposals and read them at least once.

89. Every good proposal should include all or at least most of these:

90. An executive summary

91. Introduction to the project (in plain English)

92. A proposed solution to your brief

93. Proposed timescales for the project

94. Phase one costs (there may be phase 2, 3 and so on...)

95. Any ongoing costs (hosting, support & training, online marketing?)

96. What are the next steps if you go forward?

97. Are there any contracts that you need to read?

98. Selecting the best proposal...

99. Add these columns to your spreadsheet: Friendliness Professionalism Do I like them Cost vs Deliverables.

100. Rate each field between 1 and 10. (10 being the best)

101. This gives you a solid base to make your decision.

102. 1. Request proposal 2. Read & mark-up proposals 3. Update your agency list 4. Make an educated decision 5. Select your agency

103. In my experience...

104. it's about The People you work with.

105. Thank You

106. Slides and documents available at gpmd.co.uk/talks Please give us your feedback