How to Choose a Website Design Company

Don’t Let Poor SEO Scores Undermine Your Investment

When selecting a website design partner for your organisation, you’re likely focused on creating a visually appealing, user-friendly site that drives business growth. However, one critical factor often overlooked is the search engine optimisation (SEO) performance of the website itself. A beautifully designed website is only half the battle—if it’s not optimised for search engines, your investment in SEO services may fall flat. As Eugenio from Blackdown IT, I’ve conducted research into the SEO performance of several Somerset based web design agencies and their clients’ sites. The findings? Many agencies’ own websites—and those of their clients—have lackluster SEO scores, which could spell trouble for unsuspecting organisations.

The Importance of a Strong SEO Foundation

A website’s SEO score, as measured by tools like Google’s PageSpeed Insights, reflects its performance in speed, accessibility, best practices, and search engine optimisation. These metrics directly impact your site’s visibility on search engines like Google, user experience, and ultimately, your bottom line. If your website design partner delivers a site with poor SEO scores, no amount of additional SEO services—keyword strategies, backlink campaigns, or content marketing—will fully compensate for a weak foundation.

My research into web design agencies revealed a surprising trend: many of their own websites score poorly on key SEO metrics. Worse yet, the websites they’ve built for their clients often perform even less impressively. Let’s dive into the data and explore why this matters for your organisation.

The SEO Reality of Website Design Companies

I analysed the PageSpeed Insights scores of several web design companies’ websites and their clients’ sites. The results showed a wide range of performance:

• Agency Websites: Scores ranged from as low as 17 to as high as 97, with many falling in the mid-range (50s to 80s). A score of 17, for example, indicates significant issues with performance or optimisation, while mid-range scores suggest room for improvement.

• Client Websites: Client sites often scored even lower, with some as low as 17, 27, or 37. These scores point to issues like slow load times, poor accessibility, or failure to follow SEO best practices, all of which hinder search engine rankings and user engagement.

Specific issues were also flagged, such as non-sequential heading structures, which can impair accessibility and SEO, and poor performance metrics identifiable through Chrome DevTools. These findings suggest that some agencies may not prioritise the technical SEO foundations critical for long-term success.

Why Low SEO Scores Are a Red Flag

A website with low SEO scores is like a house built on shaky ground. No matter how much you invest in marketing or SEO services, fundamental issues—such as slow page load times, poor mobile optimisation, or inaccessible design—will limit your results.

Here’s why this matters:

1. Search Engine Rankings: Google prioritises websites that load quickly, are mobile-friendly, and follow SEO best practices. Low scores in these areas can bury your site in search results, reducing visibility.

2. User Experience: Slow or inaccessible websites frustrate users, leading to higher bounce rates and lower engagement. A poor user experience can damage your brand’s reputation.

3. Wasted Investment: If your website’s foundation is weak, the money spent on SEO services—content creation, link building, or paid ads—won’t deliver optimal returns. You’re essentially pouring money into a leaky bucket.

How to Choose the Right Website Design Company

To ensure your website is a strong foundation for your SEO and marketing efforts, consider these tips when selecting a website design partner:

1. Check Their Own SEO Performance: An agency’s website is their calling card. If it scores poorly on tools like PageSpeed Insights (e.g., in the teens or 50s), it’s a warning sign they may not prioritise SEO best practices. Look for agencies with scores in the high 80s or 90s.

2. Review Their Clients’ Sites: Ask to see examples of client websites and run them through PageSpeed Insights. Low scores, such as those in the 20s or 30s, suggest the agency may not deliver optimised websites. A good partner will showcase client sites with strong performance metrics.

3. Prioritise Technical Expertise: Ensure the agency understands technical SEO, including site speed, mobile optimisation, and accessibility. Issues like non-sequential headings or poor performance metrics indicate a lack of attention to these details.

4. Demand Transparency: A reputable agency will provide clear insights into how they optimise websites for SEO and performance. They should be able to explain their approach to Core Web Vitals, accessibility, and best practices.

5. Look Beyond Aesthetics: A stunning design is worthless if it doesn’t perform. Ensure your partner balances aesthetics with technical excellence to deliver a site that looks good and ranks well.

Why Blackdown IT Stands Out

As the sole designer and developer at Blackdown IT, I, Eugenio, take pride in crafting websites from start to finish with a focus on both aesthetics and performance. Unlike some competitors, I prioritise technical SEO to ensure your website scores highly on performance, accessibility, and optimisation metrics. My research into web design landscape shows that not all agencies share this commitment—some deliver websites with scores as low as 17 or 27, undermining their clients’ potential. With Blackdown IT, you get a hands-on, detail-oriented approach that ensures your website is built to succeed.

Conclusion: Invest Wisely in Your Website

Choosing a website design company is a critical decision for any organisation. A poorly optimised website can sabotage your SEO efforts, no matter how much you spend on additional services. By partnering with Blackdown IT, you’re choosing a dedicated professional who ensures your website is built on a solid SEO foundation, maximising your visibility, user engagement, and return on investment.

When it comes to how to choose a website design company, before signing with a web design company, do your due diligence. Run their site and their clients’ sites through PageSpeed Insights, ask tough questions about their SEO practices, and choose a partner who delivers results, not just promises. Your organisation’s online success depends on it.

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