subject: How To Choose A Web Designer [print this page] How To Choose A Web Designer How To Choose A Web Designer
Your small business is at a standstill. You have known for quite some time that in order to stay competitive, and to expand your business, you need a website.
Though you can create a website yourself, with either free services available on the Internet, or using a content management system, if you are already busy with your daily tasks as a business owner, this is not a practical decision. A website with stale content is just as bad, if not worse, than not having a website at all. Your time is better spent maintaining and building your business; therefore, use your time doing what you already do well, and leave the designing to a web designer that you trust.
Planning Your Website
Before you decide on a designer, you need to know exactly what you hope to accomplish with your website. You need to know your audience, decide on the content you would like to publish, colour scheme, and layout ideas. Having these details in order is very important, as it will help you to decide on if a website designer applying for the job is qualified to do what you are looking for. Many designers offer free consultations and price quotes, so use the consultation wisely. This will save your designer time, and yourself money, as your designer takes your vision from paper to screen.
Choosing A Website Designer
Choosing a website designer takes time and research. Start with word of mouth. Ask people you know how they found their website designer, and what their experience has been. What were the obstacles? What questions did they ask? How long did it take to get their site up and running? Was it costly?
Next, search for websites similar in size and scope to what you are looking to have created. Most designers place a link at the bottom of the websites they have created, linking to their own. View their portfolio. Read their client testimonials. Call and ask questions. Find out how accessible the website designer will be. Find out what their rates are and begin comparing prices, making note of what you receive for those prices.
Things To Be Aware Of
Beware of designers asking for up-front payments. Though most website designers require instalments, such as an initial deposit to begin the job, make sure that you receive something in writing before any money changes hands. Also see if you can receive a general schedule of what parts of the project are going to be completed when, to make sure your website stays on schedule.
Beware of terms you do not readily understand. Do your research to make sure you know what you are saying yes to, and that you are not being billed inaccurately, or for unnecessary items.
While most website designers now offer domain name registration, hosting, and design all in one neat package, make sure that when the domain name is registered, that it is in your name, and not in your designer's name. It would be a rude surprise if you were to decide to change designers, only to find out that you have to buy the rights to your domain name and template in order to move in a different direction.
Make sure you keep your website designer up-to-date with the future updates you will need completed on your website once it has launched. Perhaps send updates (especially if posting a sale or promotion) up to two weeks in advance. That way, if you are working with a website designer that has a hectic schedule, you can make sure that your updates are scheduled in quickly and efficiently.
Last But Not Least
Whether your designer works out of a home office, a small business office, or a corporate office, make sure your designer not only has the talent to get the job done, but a similar work ethic as you in terms of your future plans for your business. It is likely that they will be a big part of your business' online success, making it important that they treat your website as if it is their own.
