subject: Tips For Hiring Your Web Designer [print this page] Youve decided that you want to launch a new website, or maybe youre just revamping the one you h ave, but its not something you can or want to do on your own. Choosing the right web designer takes a bit of consideration on your part. How your site functions and how it looks are going to depend on the quality of the work put into it. Its just like choosing an interior designer; if you want a rustic style, dont pick the designer that decorates in pink.
What to look for
There are a few qualifications that should be on the top of your web designers resume. Although everyone starts somewhere, experience is important. Education and technical competence come with invested time. You dont want to invest in someone that just thinks they can do it. You want your site to flow well. Look for someone that can create clear and concise site navigation, integrate social media into your site (like, tweet, and share!), mix in audio and video into your site, and most of all, be familiar with a site platform you desire.
To do this, youll need to study their creative style. Look at other sites theyve designed. Navigate through them and see if everything works and flows well. Youll want them to be able to provide your unique brand with a site that is yours. Each business is different, with variable needs, so you want to make sure that their creative style will work for your business.
Something else you need to check on is their performance. Ask around for referrals. Are they easy to deal with? Do they deliver when and what they say they will? And are they someone that people want to do business with? Web designing is not just an art, it is a business, too. You want to make sure that the designer is someone who does good business.
Things you should consider
When it comes to the design, dont base your purchase on budget alone. Setting a value on your design can leave you with results that may displease you. Consider buying a car. You want to make sure you get a good deal, but at the same time, you dont want to buy a lemon. Budget shouldnt be the deciding factor in web design. Look for quality.
Dont choose a site platform or design based on the fact that it looks cool. Remember that your business needs marketing strategy. A car may look cool, be fast, but can it get the job done? You cant haul two kids and your spouse around in a corvette (Ive seen it attempted). Remember to be marketing friendly, and always plan for future trends.
The right designer for you
Although designing your site may seem like a simple task, remember that you are also running a business. Time is precious, and you dont want to find yourself stressed about trying to design your own site while trying to focus on your business effectively. You may find yourself sacrificing effort for one or the other, eventually making both suffer. It is not to say dont it if you really want to, but remember that your business is your top priority, so you may want to leave the designing to the right designer.
