Digital marketing agencies offering web development services alongside things like SEO and content marketing may or may not have actual web development specialists on staff. And if web development is just one of many services, it is highly unlikely that it is an agency specialty. Does that mean you should go elsewhere? Not necessarily.
You could contract with separate agencies to manage SEO, digital marketing, and web development. But you could also sign with a full-service provider like Webtek Digital Marketing. Based in Salt Lake City, UT with a secondary office in Austin, TX, Webtek offers a full menu of digital marketing services – including web development.
They encourage clients to go with a full-service provider, but with certain expectations in mind:
1. A CMS Might Be in Play
Thanks to highly sophisticated content management systems (CMSs), it is no longer necessary to manually code a website from the ground up. Platforms like WordPress and Joomla offer what amounts to a containerized system for streamlining website development via pre-built elements.
I mention this because a CMS might be in play if you’re looking for your digital marketing firm to also supply web development services. There is nothing wrong with CMS-based web development. As long as your agency knows what it’s doing, a CMS can actually be a very helpful tool.
2. Website Security Is Non-Negotiable
Any digital marketing agency worth the money it is being paid understands that website security is nonnegotiable. Expect your agency to insist on certain security protocols and strategies – some of which might add to the total bill. Such is the nature of the beast. Websites need to be secure. And sometimes, maintaining security costs a little bit extra.
3. Responsive Design Is Also a Must
Responsive website design should be part of your agency’s web development services. If it is not, think about looking elsewhere. Google expects websites to be responsive enough to work equally well whether viewed on desktop computers, laptops, tablets, or smartphones. They give preference to responsive sites in organic search results.
Like website security, responsive design can cost a little bit more. You may have a design concept in mind, a concept that works extremely well on the desktop but not so well on mobile phones. Getting it to work in a mobile environment could require some extra effort along with a higher budget.
4. Ecommerce Development Is Unique
Finally, ecommerce operators need to understand that ecommerce web development is unique. For starters, ecommerce websites require shopping carts and payment systems. Both tend to add to the bill.
Next, ecommerce websites are dynamic by nature. This is to say that they are constantly changing based on product availability, new and discontinued products, inventory levels, sales, and other special promotions, etc. It all translates into the need for regular maintenance – on top of initial web development.
Ecommerce operators should expect their digital marketing agencies to charge a bit more for their sites. Again, such is the nature of the beast. It is unrealistic to expect a top-of-the-line ecommerce site at a price that barely covers developing a blog.
A Good Agency Can Do It
Let me wrap this up by saying it is not always necessary to hire separate companies for digital marketing, SEO, and web development services. A good digital marketing agency with the right people can do it all.
As the customer, it’s up to you to do your research. Learn what your digital marketing agency can and cannot do. If their web development services are up to par, you are golden. Otherwise, you have some decisions to make.
