Hiring a web designer is important for any business looking to establish or improve their online presence. Your website is often the first impression potential customers will have of your company, so having an experienced web designer who can create an effective and visually appealing website is key. Here are some tips on how to find and hire the right web designer for your business needs.
Determine Your Goals
Before starting your search, think about what you want to accomplish with your new or redesigned website. Are you looking to launch an ecommerce site, improve brand awareness, generate more leads, or something else? Outlining your objectives will help communicate your needs to prospective web designers.
Consider your target audience and what kind of first impression you want to make. Browse competitor websites and note what you do and don’t like to get an idea of the look, features, and functionality you’re going for.
Having clear goals will allow web designers to better understand the scope of your project and if they have the skills to complete it successfully.
Research Web Design Skills and Specializations
The web design field encompasses a wide variety of skills. Some designers may specialize in areas like:
- UI/UX design: Creating intuitive site navigation and user flows
- Responsive design: Building sites optimized for mobile and desktop
- Ecommerce: Integrating shopping carts and payment systems
- Branding: Developing visual identities and assets
- Copywriting: Writing compelling text for websites
- Development: Coding sites from scratch
Think about the technical and creative expertise needed for your particular project. You may want to hire someone who excels specifically in the areas you need rather than a generalist.
Review Examples of Past Work
Any qualified web designer will have a portfolio that allows you to view examples of live websites or designs they’ve created. Checking out their past work will give you an idea of their visual style, technical capabilities, and whether they’ve worked on similar projects to yours.
Pay attention to aspects like layout, imagery, content, functionality, and how easy the sites are to navigate. A cohesive portfolio showcasing relevant examples indicates the designer has the experience you’re looking for.
Ask About Their Design Process
Understanding how a web designer approaches new projects in terms of communication, timeline, and milestones is helpful. Will they want to have frequent calls or prefer email? Do they work in sprints or follow a more fluid process?
Asking process-oriented questions also shows if the designer plans ahead when it comes to elements like scoping, testing, training on CMS usage, post-launch maintenance, and other key items. A clearly defined process can prevent missteps down the road.
Request Client References
References can provide valuable insight into what it’s like to work with a particular designer. Ask prospects if they can connect you with some of their past clients.
Speaking to references is a chance to ask questions like:
- How would you rate the designer’s communication and responsiveness?
- Was the final product in line with your site goals and expectations?
- Did the project stay within the planned budget and timeline?
- What challenges came up, and how did the designer handle them?
- Would you recommend the designer to others?
Positive feedback from references is a good sign you’ve found someone who can deliver results and provide a smooth client experience.
Compare Pricing Models
Web design services can range from a few hundred dollars to $100k+, depending on the scope and complexity involved. Most designers typically charge either hourly or fixed prices per project.
Hourly rates give you flexibility if needs change during the design process. Fixed prices allow for easy budgeting since you know the total cost upfront. Be sure to get quotes from multiple designers to compare rates and pricing models.
Remember that going with the cheapest option may result in lower-quality work, while the most expensive doesn’t necessarily mean the best. Find someone who offers fair pricing aligned with their experience level and portfolio.
Hire Someone Who Specializes in Your Platform
Whether you’re redesigning an existing website or building a site from scratch, the platform you use can affect the scope and cost. Some popular options include:
- WordPress: Open source CMS known for ease of use and customization.
- Shopify: For ecommerce sites selling products.
- Squarespace: Drag-and-drop website builder with templates.
- Custom development: Bespoke web design coded from the ground up.
Not all web designers will be fluent in every platform, so ask about their area of expertise. Ideally, work with someone familiar with your existing or desired platform to avoid a steeper learning curve.
Sign an Agreement Outlining Deliverables
Before official work begins, have a contract signed that clearly outlines the specifics of the web design project, including:
- Scope of work: The services, features, and pages to be included.
- Deliverables: Site mockups, final files, documentation, etc., the designer will provide.
- Timeline: Project milestones and estimated delivery date.
- Payment schedule: Payment amounts tied to completion of milestones.
- Revisions: How many rounds of edits are included?
- Ownership rights: Who owns the final graphics, code, etc.
A detailed agreement sets clear expectations so both parties are aligned on what the engagement entails and helps avoid disputes down the line. Consider having a lawyer review the contract as well.
Communicate and Give Feedback Throughout the Process
Communication is crucial throughout the web design process to ensure you’re on the same page. Provide clear feedback on mockups and design iterations based on your outlined goals.
Voice concerns promptly if certain aspects don’t meet expectations. It’s better to catch issues early on rather than be disappointed with the final result.
Similarly, the designer should keep you updated on the project status and ask questions if they need clarification. Maintaining regular contact will result in a website that brings your vision to life.
Test and Request Revisions Before Launching
Before officially launching the live site, thoroughly test it yourself and ask others to provide feedback. Check for broken links, formatting issues, or problems across browsers and devices. Request bug fixes or additional rounds of revisions if needed.
It’s much quicker to tweak things during development rather than redoing work after launch. Taking the time to test and optimize your new website will help delight visitors rather than frustrate them.
Ready to Hire Your Web Designer?
Hiring the right web designer takes research, but it pays off with a website that effectively meets your business goals while showcasing your brand. Clearly communicating needs, reviewing past work, and signing an agreement sets the project up for success. Test the site for bugs prior to launch so you can immediately start driving results.
Looking for an experienced web designer partner? Contact the team at Design Hero today to learn how their custom solutions can establish your brand’s digital presence. With an award-winning portfolio and glowing client reviews, their web designers deliver professional sites tailored to your objectives. Get in touch to get started on building your online home.