It’s no secret every business needs a website if it wants to succeed. However, too many business owners are going the DIY route when setting up their site. It’s not enough to buy a domain and input your business’s basic information – you have to hire a web designer to get the best results.
Web designers understand how the digital world works. They’re up to date with the latest design trends and know the timeless rules and practices of their field, too.
Such innovation and professionalism are sure to set you up for success. All you have to do is figure out how hiring a website designer goes.
Follow the seven simple steps below to choose the best person for the job.
1. Understand What You Need
Are you building a website from scratch or rebranding your current site? Do you need to clean up your online reputation or do you want to make a big statement to let your audience know you’re open for business?
These details play into how extensive the web designer’s work will be. Other things to think about include the hosting platform you’d like to have, any plugins you need, and even how many pages the website should be.
More so, consider the content on your site. Web design is a matter of UX as well as UI. The designer can take care of coding functions and navigation systems with a bit of guidance, but he/she needs more creative input when it comes to the copywriting and visuals a user sees.
This is your chance to collaborate on the project and make it as on-brand as possible. Or, you may choose to hire a website designer who can take care of the technical tasks and the written and visual content.
2. Set a Budget
Regardless of what you’re looking for, make sure you have the means to pay for it. You might have to focus on the most important aspects of web design first, then upgrade the site later.
However, there is a chance you find a web designer to do all the work at once for the price you need – you just have to know what that price is! Don’t go into the process of finding a website designer without a clear number in mind. The last thing you want is to be set on an offer only to realize it’s going to cost an arm and a leg.
3. Create a Timeline
Just as a budget keeps you on track to hit your yearly numbers, a timeline makes sure everything is ready when it needs to be. You can’t launch your new business if the new website isn’t ready. Similarly, if you’re rebranding or about to introduce a new product, it would be nice to have a website with which to show off such efforts.
You need a timeline to make sure all of your business initiatives align. Not to mention, websites aren’t built in a day. A detailed timeline helps you track the site’s progress from start to finish.
4. Think About Site Optimization
This is one of the most important details to consider if you want your site to be a valuable resource: how well does it perform on search? The more you focus on on-site optimization, the better.
If you’re not sure what that is, find a website designer who can implement the SEO basics you need. If you do have some understanding of SEO, implement all the knowledge you have and take this opportunity to learn a thing or two from a website designer.
Optimizing is a must. It does you no good to have a beautifully-designed, interesting site if it’s not reaching your audience. Search is what helps introduce you to all the users in your target market.
Thanks to tools like keywords, link building, opt-in forms, and header and image tags, a website is much easier to find. Don’t forget about indexing it on Google and registering a Google My Business page for your company. These things set the foundation for your search campaign, which you can further improve with blogging, email blasts, social media, and more.
5. Do Your Research
So far, all the tips mentioned are about what you need in a strong website and all the details to consider during the design process. It’s best to think about these things before looking for a web designer because you’ll then be able to find the perfect match for your needs.
When you’re ready to start looking for the right professional, though, you need to do your research. Take some time to see who the best web designers in your immediate area are. But, don’t rule out contacting a web designer who is further away.
Near or far, you want someone with a good amount of experience to take on your project. He or she should have a portfolio that speaks to you, something that displays a clear design taste you connect with.
6. Meet with Multiple Web Designers
The next part of your research is to read client reviews of the designers you’re most interested in. From there, you can narrow the list down to two or three people. At this point, it’s best to reach out to all of your top choices.
A simple half-hour conversation can tell you a lot about which designer to choose. This helps you get a feel for a designer’s work ethic, professional background, and the time they have to take on your project. Some designers may not have enough experience working with businesses in your industry, while others may have to put your project on hold for a week or two before getting started.
All of these details add up. You have to weigh the pros and cons until you find what best fits your timeline, budget, and web design interests.
7. Go Over the Basics
Just when you think you’ve found the perfect designer, go over the basics one more time. Get clarification on the following:
- who owns the site once it’s done?
- will the web designer offer any site maintenance services?
- are updates included in the design package you’ve discussed?
Don’t assume your site is automatically yours, or that once you’ve hired a web designer they will be willing to make all the updates you need. It’s better to clear these matters up ahead of time than to cause conflict down the line.
Hiring a Website Designer Made Simple
If you’re interested in hiring a website designer, look no further. Our team of professionals is here to help you with everything from website design and programming to site hosting and SEO.
Whatever your digital needs are, we can fulfill them.
Click here to learn more about our services from the happy customers who’ve worked with us in the past!
