Ask Your Website Developer Five Important Questions

1. WILL MY WEBSITE BE RESPONSIVE?
This is huge! Make sure your website is accessible via mobile devices and tablets. Mobile devices have exceeded desktop searches. Your website needs to be mobile-friendly. Don't let anyone convince you otherwise.

2. WILL MY WEBSITE BE SECURE?
The answer is unequivocally "Yes". Starting in October 2017, the Google Chrome web browser started showing a "not secure" warning when users started filling out a simple contact form or search field on a non-HTTPS website. Users may abandon your site if this warning appears. A secure website helps you maintain lead generation from forms on your site, improve your search engine rankings and provides your customers with encrypted security while interacting with your website.

3. WILL YOU INCLUDE ON-PAGE SEO ON MY WEBSITE
Search Engine Optimization refers to steps that are taken to ensure that your website appears on Google (and other search engines) when key terms related to your industry/business are searched. The best and most efficient SEO is planned into the foundation of your website from the very beginning, not AFTER your website is designed.

4. WHO WILL OWN MY SITE/DOMAIN/HOSTING?
This one is a little tricky! Unless your contract specifically states the you "own your website", you don't. You can't "own" a website the same way you own a car. Your website is dependent on it's hosting provider. If your hosting provider goes down, your website goes with it. Be sure to get the specifics. You can own the components that make your website, such as, the design and the content. Make sure that it's written in your web design contract. Copyright law states that the creator of the website's design and content automatically becomes the legal owner of said assets. What you own outright is the text you give them (if any) and photos you took. After your website is created, you are given a license to use it, unless your website developer states otherwise in your contract.

5. WILL BUSINESS OR INDUSTRY RESEARCH BE DONE BEFORE DESIGNING?
This question separates amateurs from pros. You want the right site, not any site. Your website is the window to your brand. Proper research is extremely important for defining your target market and growing from there. Good research provides an understanding of your goals and what is most appealing to your clients and potential customers. A successful website speaks to your unique brand identity positioning you in front of your target market. Your website developer should include this research in your contract.

https://www.forbes.com/sites/theyec/2014/04/25/nine-questions-you-should-absolutely-ask-your-future-...