Choosing an IT company in London can be tricky, especially if you’re not sure what to look out for when doing so. Luckily, there are several key points to consider before making your final decision – and with these tips, you’ll be able to choose the right IT company in no time!
Tip #1: Differentiate Your Brand
Branding is about telling your customers why you’re different from your competitors. No matter what you do, or what products or services you offer, a unique selling point (USP) is essential to a brand. Don’t just say that you’re good—trust us! Instead, demonstrate why you should be trusted. If it seems like every other company out there has had exactly the same idea as yours.
Have A Clear Vision: You don’t need to be an expert marketer or have a marketing degree to succeed with branding. However, you do need some clarity about what you want your business to be and how you want it to operate. It helps if you can also identify where your business is going and why people should care. Developing a clear vision can take time, but once it’s solid, stick to it and don’t let anyone distract you from that goal.
Tip #2: What You Need From An Agency
As you conduct your research, be sure to note what features are must-haves and which can be nice-to-haves. If you want your site to translate into multiple languages, that’s a high priority. If you don’t care how quickly your CMS is updated (for example, if you’re not tracking critical company data), it doesn’t matter much. You might have a super customized theme that needs custom CSS coding or some other bells and whistles; make sure an agency will be able to deliver what you need.
Since you’re working with a digital agency, it’s also a good idea to establish your goals and expectations. If you don’t understand what an agency can and can’t do, it can be easy to get frustrated with them if they run into roadblocks when trying to execute your vision. A good digital agency will work closely with you, outlining exactly what they’ll build, how long it might take and how much it will cost so there are no surprises at any stage of your relationship. Some agencies even give potential clients website audits that cover all elements of a web presence—from usability to appearance—so everyone is on board from day one.
Tip #3: How Do I Choose Between Agencies?
If you’re unsure which services a company provides, don’t be afraid to ask. They should have no problem telling you what they do and how they can help you reach your business goals. Once you’ve identified some companies that provide services you need, request quotes from each one and then compare them side-by-side. Look for flexibility with payment schedules—many companies offer discounts if you pay annually instead of monthly or quarterly—and special offers like free installation or trials on top of your quote. Make sure all quotes are itemized so there aren’t any hidden fees, and understand exactly what is included before making a commitment.
Consider Technology: Some companies provide excellent services but their equipment isn’t always up to date, which can lead to more headaches than you bargained for. Ask your potential vendors about their technologies and find out what they use as far as laptops, monitors, printers, mobile devices and so on. Some companies may even be able to offer new equipment with a payment plan or a low monthly price that fits within your budget. Always be sure to ask how long they keep hardware warranties and whether replacement is free of charge or comes at an extra cost.
Tip #4: Research The Market, But Choose With Your Gut
When looking at prospective tech companies, one of your main tasks is to research what they offer and how competitive they are. There’s a lot of information out there and you don’t want to end up working with an inferior product just because you didn’t do your homework. With that said, there’s also something to be said for picking something that feels right. When trying out prospective software solutions, get a demo from them and really explore their system. See if it resonates with you and works well; don’t worry about if it exactly matches other companies’ products or if it does things just like your old company did—your gut knows best!
Tip #5: Check Past Work
When interviewing a potential partner, ask to see examples of their past work. Since you’re both talking shop, you should be able to have a deep-dive discussion about your needs and how they can be met. If all goes well, it shouldn’t be long before you get what you need from an independent or in-house solution—something that works better and at a fraction of the price. Getting what you want from an IT company in London requires some legwork on your end; just like any other service provider, it’s important to understand their value proposition before moving forward.
This isn’t just about perusing their website; you want to see what they can actually do. Look at their portfolio and see if any of their previous work is similar to what you need to be done. Do they have experience with your industry or sector? Are they familiar with government regulations, accounting practices or other areas that are specific to your business? If it looks like a good fit, there’s no reason why you shouldn’t go ahead and ask if they can handle all of your business needs.
