What are the top web design agencies?

[DanDeceuster]

I have a big client who is looking to have some design work done on their websites. Really just redoing them essentially. They were asking me who the top web design companies in the country are. Anyone have any suggestions? Who are the most renown agencies?

[RyanKent]

That is sort of like asking who makes the best shoe. We need more information. Men's shoe? Women's shoe? Running shoe? Dress shoe? etc etc

For your client's website, is it an e-commerce site? a directory? a blog? etc.

What technology is currently in use? PHP? .NET? etc. Is the client looking to keep the same technology? Or are they open to a change?

What are the high level requirements?

If your client wanted to know who they top cell phone providers are, the answer is easy. For the US it's AT&T and Verizon Wireless, with Sprint and T-Mobile as a distant # 3 & 4. For website design the field is wide open. You are likely to receive a long and varied list of responses.

[DanDeceuster]

The website will not be changing technology on the backend, just the design aspect. It is ecommerce and sells fitness equipment. Strictly from a design standpoint, and keeping in mind it is an ecommerce site selling fitness equipment, who might be the top web design companies in this area?

[RyanKent]

To clarify, you are looking for a cosmetic redesign? A new PSD to be created for the site?

What are the goals of the redesign? Improve conversion rate and other metrics?

[DanDeceuster]

Number one goal is to improve aesthetics so that the site is easier to understand and navigate.

Second goal would be to improve conversions.

Third goal would be to clean up the old code currently being used, some of which is hampering their SEO efforts (hidden text, multiple h1 tags, etc.)

Fourth goal would be to make sure the site is mobile friendly as well.

So no change to the shopping cart or anything like that, just a cosmetic redesign to improve user experience overall.

[RyanKent]

Any list of the top CRO firms will likely include SiteTuners.

If I was asked to perform this work, I would involve multiple people in the process:

First, SiteTuners to gather all the CRO details.

Second, a graphic designer to provide the PSD for the site based on SiteTurners recommendations and the client's wishes.

Third, a developer experienced in the particular platform your client uses. The developer would perform the code cleanup, the PSD to HTML coding, and make the site mobile friendly.

The skillsets involved for each type of work is very different. The best results will likely be achieved by different companies. You may be able to find a single company which is "pretty good" at all three, but these would not likely by "the top" at any of them, or certainly not all of them.

[EGOL]

Second goal would be to improve conversions.

I would begin here as this is the bottom line.  You want the best you can afford on this job.

Ryan recommends SiteTuners.  I have used them and they are very good.  They will take one of your pages and give you back a proposed new design (for that page)  that you can test.... and tweak as they provide guidance.  Then when you have a kickass conversion rate then build the rest of your site design around it.

Their work will probably include input on aesthetics... so I would not have someone expensive design a new site and then hear SiteTuners tell you it sucks.