You want to create a membership site, but to do so, you need to hire the right development team.
You may already have the layout and content of your site finished (or under construction), but now is the time to turn your ideas into reality.
Fortunately, there are many different developers out there who can help you. But not all of them are created equal.
Because membership sites operate differently than other pages, and because you can’t skimp on quality (or your members will leave), you need to make sure that you’re hiring the right people for the job.
So, with that in mind, let’s look at the various considerations to make when picking out your development team.
Firm vs. Freelancers
At first glance, you may think that it’s better to hire a freelancer for your work.
While this may be true for something simple like a blog, it’s a mistake when talking about a membership site.
Because there are so many more elements that go into this type of project, most freelancers are ill-equipped to handle it.
Usually, people who hire freelancers do so for a couple of reasons: cost and attentiveness.
First, the idea is that a freelancer will charge less than a firm because there’s less overhead.
Second, you may think that a freelancer will be able to devote more time to your project, thus getting it done faster or better.
In reality though, these are fallacies.
A development firm will usually outperform a freelancer, and when it comes to price, you can probably get a better deal in the end.
Think about it like this, the freelancer may charge less per hour, but if it takes twice as long to get finished, then did you save any money in the long term?
Overall, you want to find a reputable development firm that knows about membership sites (more on that next).
This way, you can be guaranteed that your site will be up to your standards, and in many cases, you can get finished in less time.
Look for Membership Experience
Not all development firms are the same. Some of them specialize in specific programming languages, while others don’t do many membership sites.
Thus, when searching for the right team, you want to make sure that they can do what you want and include all of the functional elements necessary for your pages.
When looking for experienced developers, keep these things in mind.
What sites have they done in the past?
How many membership sites have they built? Is that the firm’s primary source of revenue?
What do previous clients say about the firm?
Do the sites that they’ve built have all of the features and functions you want in yours?
Which platform does the firm use to build your membership site? Is it something you know or can learn quickly?
Overall, you want to talk to each firm about what you want to achieve and what it will take to get it done.
If the firm has a lot of experience, you should be able to get solid answers to these questions, as well as additional information that will help you determine which firm is right for you.
Long-Term Website Support
One way to spot a bad development team is if you can’t make updates or changes to the site after it’s built.
The fact is that you should be able to do whatever you want after the fact, so if the developers tell you otherwise, it’s a sure sign that they aren’t up to the right standards.
That being said, you will inevitably need support from time to time. Will the firm offer such assistance when necessary?
Ideally, they will be able to hand over the reins once the site is finished, but if you need to make updates or changes to the site, how feasible is it for them to do that upon request?
Take a look at what support options the firm offers, as well as the costs associated with it. Ask questions like:
What if a particular function breaks?
How quickly can you make changes to the site?
Is there any warranty or guarantee of service?
What if I want to add functions later on?
High-quality development firms will be able to work with you to find a support plan that’s right for your needs.
Also, they should be able to guarantee their work to a certain degree, meaning that if something breaks or doesn’t work properly, you should be able to get it fixed quickly and without any hassle.
Excellent Communication
Finally, when choosing the right development firm for your project, you should look for companies that are upfront and honest about everything, including costs, delivery time, site capabilities, and anything else.
When you request information, quality firms will be able to provide details right away.
Also, they should be able to give you an accurate estimate of pricing, including any extra fees or add-ons that may be required.
Throughout the development process, the firm should also be in constant communication with you, asking questions about how you want something to look or work and get feedback along the way.
If not, then that’s a bad sign, since your input is not something the firm cares about or wants.
Bottom Line – Ask Questions, Do Research
Overall, you shouldn’t take this process lightly.
Since building a membership site takes a lot of work, and since you’re using the site to make money, you need to be sure that you’re getting the best value.
With due diligence and the right mindset, finding the best developers shouldn’t be a problem.
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