subject: How To Find A Web Designer [print this page] How To Find A Web Designer How To Find A Web Designer
So, you've got the Big Idea. Your strategy is set out. On your checklist is getting a website done. Problem: you don't know how to do web design. And you won't trust the work to your colleague's goofy son. So what one you do to get a nice-looking website up and running quickly?
1. Hire A Professional.
Pro web designers are to amateurs what contractors are to DIY enthusiasts. You don't let DIYers loose on mission-critical parts of your enterprise. They might do the job badly, leading you to hire professionals to fix what the amateurs did wrong.
Hire a professional who can give you reasonable rates, a realistic timetable and most importantly, offer clever improvements you didn't think of.
2. How To Find One.
Pro web designers can be found via search engines, on forums and on freelance websites. The latter have rating systems. These give a good idea of quality. However, check just what the designer is being rated on. Some do 40 small jobs and garner good ratings. That doesn't mean they'll be good enough to code your ecommerce website with a shopping cart and forum. Find someone who's done the work before.
3. Clearly State What You Want Done.
Many designer-client problems stem from thin specifications and unstated assumptions. You'll save cash if you describe, in detail, what you want done and what you don't want done. It's a good move to point to examples of other sites and say: "I want that feature from that site and this feature from this other one".
What you need is a contract. A document that describes the obligations of both parties. This could save a lot of arguing later.
4. How Much Should It Cost?
Web designers charge by the hour or for price-work. By the latter I mean you fix in advance how much in total you'll pay for the total job. I think this is the best way. It avoids escalations in costs. However, the designer is within his rights to say "No more" if he did what you asked but not what you intended i.e. you thought you wanted X but what you realised you needed, halfway through the project, was Y. And then Y + 1.
In this case, your designer has the right to ask for more money or time. Or both. This returns to point 3, above. 'Be clear in advance about exactly what you want done'.
5. How Should I Pay?
Pay in stages. A deposit up front, then in three or four stages according to the amount owed and the amount of work done. This means you don't get ripped off for a large sum upfront and the designer is motivated to keep going with the job. Give him a bonus if he does good work. He'll be delighted and you may make a friend!
