In a world where just about everyone knows someone who claims to be able to build a website, hiring the right web designer to meet your needs can be really difficult.
A great web designer and developer has experience and creative diversity, and listens to you and is professional.
Look Ma, No Hands
When trying to build a web presence, hiring a designer with experience is important. You want someone who has been doing design work for more than a couple of years and who can provide you with a portfolio of work and testimonials or references. Learning the intricacies of writing clean web code and designing a site that is search-engine friendly is a skill that takes experience. But, keep in mind that the way web development works changes rapidly and the candidate that has been doing the job the longest isn’t necessarily the most competent. It is essential that designers stay up to date on the latest trends in coding and search engine optimization.
Ooh, That’s Pretty
When you’re looking to hire a professional designer, make sure you hire someone who can produce the aesthetic you are looking for. If after checking out a designer’s portfolio, you don’t see anything that looks like what you are looking for, ask them to give you a mock-up (they may charge for this). Tell them exactly what you think you want. Show them sites you like and functionality that you need. Then, let them take those ideas and make them even better. If you need a dynamic site with a ton of interaction and they try to pitch you a simple, flat design, move on. If you are looking for a basic brochure site with a blog and they want to build you Amazon.com, adios. You’ll just be wasting your money and won’t get what you’re looking for.
Can You Hear Me Now?
Great web designers listen to their clients’ needs and wants and then build a site that gives them what they want, but better. The designer should ask you questions about the aesthetics of the design, the functionality, and the budget that you’re working with. A good designer will be able to merge all three to get your what you want within a specified budget.
Remember, you are hiring an expert, so your designer should also be able to provide you feedback about how what you’re asking for will really meet the goal you have in mind. Good designers know when to tell their clients if what they’re asking for is not the right choice for them.
Dude, Where’s My Car?
Web designers get the reputation of being young. While this may often be true, it says nothing of the level of professionalism that you should expect. Look for someone with the same level of formality as you would approach your customers. You probably wouldn’t be comfortable hiring someone who showed up at your consultation wearing ripped jeans and a stained t-shirt. At the same time, if you would call your clients “dude,” you probably aren’t looking for a designer in a designer suit. There is a happy medium.
Also, professional designers will have a contract and stick to it. Fees and deadlines should be spelled out in writing (unless you’re flexible) and both the design firm and the client should sign the contract. It is normal for a design firm to require a deposit, but be leery of anyone who demands the full cost up front. We’ve heard a lot of stories about a “designer” who takes a client’s money and runs. Professionals will have a fee schedule that involves paying the balance upon completion of the project.
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Tags: design, hiring a professional, small business, web development
