• Web Design
• Print Design
• Logo/Corporate Identity

• Online Store
• Website Features
• Business Development

• Blog/Personal
• eCommerce
• Custom Package

• Online Marketing
• Offline Marketing
• Custom Marketing Plan

Choosing a Website Designer

So, you are considering hiring a professional for your web design. The problem is that not all of them are professional. Some are working with knowledge that is out of date, and some of them are working out of the basement that belongs to their parents!

What you need to know:

Qualifications are Worthless

Unless the person has a proper graphical design background, almost all of the web design training is learned at a community college part time and not very credible. Unless the person you are qualifying can explain XHTML and CSS to you and why they are good for your website, stay clear.

Website Design vs. Print Design

While very similar, the two do have their differences. Many tradtionally-trained graphic designers have little or no knowledge of cross-browser compatibility, search engine marketability, or user-friendly interactive interfaces. These are key areas to address, and not addressing them from the design phase on could lead to the need for a complete redesign.

Diverse Portfolio

A good web designer will have a diverse portfolio and lots of attractive sites they have built for their customers. They will also be able to explain to you why they designed the site the way it looks. If a person does not have a substantial portfolio, get them to do a first draft design to display their skill to you.

User Focused

Your designer candidate needs to realize that they are building your website for users. This means all users regardless of technical ability and which web browser they are using. Amateur web designers tend to come up with what they think are impressive looking pages while ignoring the visitors who will come to your site. Ask the prospect which browsers they will test the web site on? (Answer: as many as possible) What is the purpose of the website? (Answer: explain the point of the site very simply).

Pricing

Many web designers have no idea what to charge for their services. When you ask, you will get bids form $50 to $5,000. Both of these are ridiculous as one of them may be from a non English-speaking foreigner and the other a committee that will accomplish little. Look for an independent individual as opposed to a corporate type person. Be willing to negotiate the price but never agree to a let them do whatever it takes to make a good site and pay by the hour! Keep in mind that it is industry standard to pay 50% up front and 50% on successful completion of the project.

Varied Skill Set

If your designer is focused solely on the aesthetic appeal of the website, it may cause headaches down the road. The ideal designer will have a thorough understanding of search engines and search engine placement, Internet technologies, and user-centric design.

Keep these points in mind when looking for that perfect web designer.

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