I’m sure you know these days that to compete in the marketplace, you need a Web site. And not just any Web site, but one that is simple to navigate and visually appealing. Although there are some DIY Web sites that let you build your own, those are made of templates that about a thousand other businesses probably use too. Plus, they can be hard to customize.
If you don’t want to learn Web design, then you’ll need to hire a Web designer. Here are some hints and tips to help in your search.
What Do You Need?
This is the first question to ask. You need to know what you need or want out of your Web site so that you know how much help you’ll need. This will affect your budget because you might be able to hire just one person to do it all, or you might need to hire a team. To figure this out, ask yourself what kind of info you need on your site and how big you need your site to be. Also consider the size of your budget – that will be a big determining factor in who you choose.
Now It’s Time to Search
Referrals are a great way to get a good Web designer. If you don’t know of anyone who can give you a referral, be sure to do a thorough Web search. Obviously, if a Web designer doesn’t have a Web site, you don’t want that designer! So I wouldn’t go with anyone I couldn’t find on the ’Net! Be sure to check out forums and blogs for any bad reviews of a designer you are considering.
Don’t limit yourself to only local designers – they can work virtually and communicate to you through email and phone, if you don’t mind doing it that way.
Ask to see samples of Web sites or evaluate the design of the designer’s Web site, asking these questions:
1. Is info easy to find and do you know how to get back to the homepage?
2. Do you like the navigation system?
3. Are there any broken links?
4. Is the design consistent from page to page?
5. Is the text easy to read?
6. How fast do the pages load? (Slow loads will drive away potential customers at your Web site.)
7. Do the colors work well together? Are you generally pleased with the whole design scheme?
If you don’t like the designer’s Web site, you probably won’t like anything she creates for you. Check out the designer’s portfolio as well, to see his different styles. Pay attention to what kind of client the designer has in her portfolio – are any in your industry? If so, how well does the Web design reflect the industry and the company?
Ask for references and check out how the designer works – is she on time? Does she communicate well? Did she stay within budget?
Ask the designer what services are included in his Web design packaging. You want someone who will help you with Web design and development, graphics creation, Web hosting, database creation, content and maintenance at the very least. Many are also knowledgeable about online marketing and will help you get started with that.
Individual or Design Firm?
After you’ve narrowed down your choices of Web sites you like, you’ll probably need to choose between a freelance individual and a big design firm. Generally, an individual won’t charge as much as a design firm to create a Web site. Freelancers will probably be more flexible and it will be easier to achieve consistency with just one person designing the site. But working with a firm will give you more ideas because more people will be working on your project. Also, big firms probably have people that specialized in different technologies that an individual freelancer doesn’t specialize in. If you need fancy graphics or a shopping cart, a firm might be the way to go if your freelance candidate doesn’t know how to create these.
As long as you check references and feel comfortable with your designer, it doesn’t matter if you hire an individual or a design firm. Pick whoever can give you what you want at the price you want.
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