Also in the news...
Prove your English language abilities with a secure English language test (SELT)
For visa or citizenship applications, you may need to prove your knowledge of English by passing a secure English language test (SELT).
UK and Nigeria Enhanced Trade and Investment Partnership arrangement
The Enhanced Trade and Investment Partnership (ETIP) sets out the UK and Nigeria’s priorities for future discussion and cooperation.
Export to the UK: guidance for African businesses
Find out about UK markets and sectors, trade agreements, UK import regulations and taxes, and support for African businesses from the UK government.
Guidance Start exporting to Africa
Find out about market opportunities, trade partnership agreements, support from the UK government, and export regulations and taxes in African countries.
Guidance Start investing in African businesses
Find out about investment opportunities and support from the UK government. Learn how to manage risk, invest ethically, and access guidance on African countries.
4 Red Flags You Should Watch Out for When Hiring a Web Design Team
If you want to build traction for your startup, you need to invest in a high-quality website. You also can't afford to make too many mistakes, because a good website costs money.
What many people don't know about web design agencies, however, is that virtually anyone can start one. You have people who talk a good game and have a nice-looking portfolio who are actually complete frauds and will have no issues running with your money. This is why you need to take your time to do your research and understand how to spot the signs of a fraudulent or incompetent web designer. Here are some of the red flags to watch out for when hiring a web design team.
They’re Charging too Little
If someone is charging you under £1000 for your site, then you’re dealing with either an inexperienced designer eager to get clients, a bad designer, or someone who’s out for your money. It’s not unusual for websites to cost £4000 or more to design, and when it's done properly, they are worth every penny. This is not the time to skimp here. You need to invest in the future of your brand and get a site that will convert and gain traction on search engines. Don’t fall for the discount and look for a team that will deliver quality first and foremost.
You Can’t See Live Examples of their Work
Some designers will have mock websites in their portfolios, and these might look good. But, in reality, they could only be templates that they lifted from somewhere else. Someone savvy will be able to spot this right away, but this could fool someone who's shopping for a designer for the first time. You should also check whether all the sites look the same. This might be a sign of a company that only makes minor modifications to a few templates and acts as if they're doing original work.
If you want to get the best work possible and have a website that stands out, you need to go with a web design agency that has a large variety of projects to show. Webheads are a perfect example. They have worked with brands such as Budweiser, the BBC, and WeWork, just to name a few. They have a large portfolio of projects to show and all of them have their own personality. This is the type of company you should go for if you want to rival the giants in your field.
They Ask for Too Much Money Upfront
You should expect any website agency you work with to ask for a deposit upfront. If it is for a small project, about 40% to 50% is reasonable, but it should be lower than that on bigger projects. Anyone who asks for more than that has a high chance of being a fraud, so beware.
They Can’t Give You Concrete Information about their Designers
A design team should be able to tell you about the background of their designers and what they're in charge of. If they talk about their teams in vague terms, this could be a sign that they either don't have real expertise, are fraudulent, or are acting as a middle person.
These are only some of the red flags you should be on the lookout for when working with a web design agency. So, take your time to thoroughly vet any team you’re thinking of hiring and see what people have to say about their work.