Your Website Designer Is an Investment - Choose Wisely

It can be challenging and can be an overwhelming process. Let's face it, there are a ton of options to pick from and making the wrong choice could lead to disastrous consequences, so how do you know which designer you should select, and once you have selected one is it safe to be able to trust them with your artistic visions?

Designing websites is all the rage: directories, yellow pages and freelance websites, just for starters. However, any website designer who is worthy of consideration will have a dedicated website with an extensive portfolio to look through. So the first indicator of how skilled your potential designer could be the design and quality of their website. It's as important as their portfolio which displays their capabilities and strengths. The website should be extremely well-designed. If it's not, go on.

A Portfolio Speaks a Thousand Words

In looking through the portfolio, take a look at the quality and style. A skilled designer can be flexible as a result, so the portfolio of theirs will showcase various styles. It's not essential that they've been involved in the market prior to. "I only want a designer that has designed websites for companies who make jewel encrusted cat collars" That's not sensible or appropriate. What you should be asking is "has this designer designed websites that are of the type I'm looking for... ie. E-Commerce Store, WordPress Blog etc. and if so, do I like the designs of the sites in question." This means that they have the technical expertise to see your project through to completion. It may seem like an obvious thing to do, but web design is a broad field that includes a myriad of kinds of websites and development platforms. If they've never made a WordPress site before, they may not have the right skill set. In addition, their portfolio is likely to impress you, and you should see plenty of examples in it that are impressive.

What Do Other People Say

Website designers understand that they are an essential investment for your business and will often include testimonials from previous and current customers on their websites. It is a great way to check your designer's credibility, and should you need additional assurance you can count on the majority of designers to be happy to supply you with references.

Talk it Out and Trust Your Instincts

Since you have taken all the steps above, you have decided to contact your potential new designer with the request for a price. Their reply will give you more information that you need from what they tell the designer and through looking at the text. Assuming you're happy with the quote, are you satisfied with the timeline? Do they seem to be someone who's approachable and willing to accommodate your needs? Are they frosty and someone you might find difficult to share your thoughts with? Do they sound professional? Did they respond to emails promptly? It's not possible to start preparing the quote or design plan without having a good understanding of the needs of your client. Therefore, your designer will undoubtedly ask you lots of questions. It's important to be able to answer them; it indicates that they take you seriously and want to provide you with the most relevant information. If you do not answer the questions, or provide vague answers in the first place, you're only harming yourself and your chances of obtaining the results you desire. With your answers, an expert designer will provide the client with a proposal providing a breakdown of the process, the benefits you can expect from their service, the features their services include, the number of changes you're entitled to, and the other important details.

Trust Implicitly?

Designers have a tough job as the majority of users do not know what they're up to! They don't know the way a set of codes makes a website run and what the code could be, they don't know the processes involved in creating a website layout and navigation, and they don't know the limitations of technology, and that is why hiring a web designer distinct from hiring an artist to paint your home. In contrast, hand your designer has a perfect sense of the person you are and what you want. You've shown them the examples of other websites that you like, what it is that you enjoy about them, and you've told them what the most vital elements of your site will be and the areas in which you want attention drawn the most. They have been told who your competitors are and what you enjoy or dislike about their work. You've discussed branding, colour schemes, and design styles ....(oh surely you've not? Return to the previous paragraph, and read the line about answering your designer's questions). If you've completed the steps above, you've given yourself no reason to doubt them implicitly.

Now what?

Now take a step back and allow your designer to perform their best work. Most designers will perform their best and create their best work when they are given the space to do so and they will allow you plenty of time to give feedback and comment so the design can be refined and improved as you progress, but if are in charge and directing too much, the designer won't make the decisions that are creative for you, which is undoubtedly a major blunder given that that's what they hired them for. (Would you explain to your accountant how to file an income tax form?) Don't look at your webmaster as a person you employ to build your website. consider them an expert when it comes to creating an online presence to better communicate with your audience, and take their advice and recommendations seriously.

If you followed the above steps before hiring your designer, you've ensured you have covered all the bases and safeguarded your investment. Now, all you have to do is relax and relax and revel in the amazing process of watching your site come to life!