So it’s time to start design your new website and you need to select the best person for your new web design.
Finding a new web designer is always hassle… why?
Let me fill you in if you are new to choosing a new web designer for your project.
It usually goes like this…
1) You know what your business/project needs, you create a plan for the website that includes all the desired website functionality, website systems, website integrations and a few ideas about the web design. Sometimes you may need some website inspiration.
2) You then reach out to a ton of web designers locally and nationally, each of them ask you the same questions, some may not even ask many questions, they may just ask about your website budget, say they can do it (and because they haven’t asked about your website and design, they probably can’t!).
3) You make a website short-list based on the people who asked the best website design questions, or understood your web concept best and simply decide on who ticked the most boxes.
Simple, right?
Wrong.
You see, there is a lot to consider when it comes to web design, marketing and other facets of business, especially ecommerce websites.
Things that people who are web designers may not consider. Then because the web designers are so confident in their ability they may not even ask you the right website questions…
It happens all the time, because web designers don’t build businesses, they build and design websites…
So, how do you know you have the right person?
Although, it is partially something you want need to make an individual judgement, it is important to choose a web designer who has already achieved your goals.
One reason why Volt Agency has been featured in many publications (i.e. Yahoo Finance, Best Design etc) is because our project managers and founders have built successful eCommerce businesses from the ground up.
When you have a web designer with years of practical operational experience and web design experience on your team, they factor all the details your self and your standard web designer would have overlooked.
The secret here: Get a web designer with practical experience!
So here are some important areas to consider when choosing the right web designer for your project!
7 Things to consider before hiring a web designer
Practical Industry Knowledge:
So right off the back of my last point, it is extremely important you find a web designer who understands the constraints of the industry, has navigated it countless times and can therefore show you how to navigate it.
If they cannot prove a strong background in what you aim to do, it is likely they are not the web designer for you!
Cost
When it comes to web design projects, whether you are in the start-up phase or have had an existing business for many years, cost is very important to consider.
And when I say cost, I don’t mean to say go for the cheapest web designer money can buy. In the website design industry, you 100% get what you pay for. When we consider web design cost we balance not only what is going to get you the cheapest result, but also look at what you get for the cost, and if there is something that may be 10-15% more than your original web design budget but would offer substantial benefit we would always be sure to mention it in your best interest.
Who would want to design a website to find out if they had spent an extra couple hundred dollars to get a way better website…
Portfolio
This ties in hand in hand with finding a web designer with industry experience, not only in what you are trying to achieve, but also in the area of their expertise, being web design…
These days there are more web designers than ever, meaning that a lot of people are flooding into the web design industry claiming to be experts, but when you ask for a website portfolio they seem to go quiet.
Why?
Because they either have not designed what you are trying to achieve…
Or
They do not have a website portfolio up to your standard of work…
Both of which scenarios are not going to play well for your web design project. So find someone who can provide a suitable web design portfolio.
Scope of Work
When getting started with any web designer it is crucial to get an outlined Scope of Work. A scope of work is a document that defines what is included and what is not included within your project. If you do not see this and agree to something you are likely to get short changed!
Alternatively, they could be an amateur and not yet developed the website building systems to support your project. PS, this is also a red flag when choosing a web designer. They may be a cheaper web design option, but do you want a quality website?
Website Development Timeline
The #1 question I get from clients is “how long should it take for my website to be completed?”. And unfortunately the answer is “it depends on your web design project”. Typically web design and development takes 3-6 weeks, but this can alter for a multitude of reasons.
Some reasons why your web design project may take longer include:
- The complexity of your web design project is.
- How quickly we can organise a web design planning session.
- Time to source required documents for your web design project.
- What the web design process is (this may vary between different web designers)
There are a lot of factors that come into play when designing your new website!
Personality
With any project (not just web design), you want to make sure you get along with the person you are working with. If you’re a go-getter, you want a go-getter web designer, if you’re a perfectionist, you want a perfectionist web designer, if you’re a technical nerd, you want a nerdy web designer, and so on!
Make sure you get along with your web designer / digital marketing agency.
Testimonials
This is pretty standard, I know… But seriously, go check if they have verified reviews, don’t take what is on their website at face value, so see their Google reviews or something… Web designers are the best at hiding things like this, it’s a web designers job to make people look good online.
Go verify your web designers reviews!
And that’s it…
If you can find all of those things in your new web designer, you’re going to be one step closer towards having a real good website coming your way!
So what now?
Well you better get looking, speaking to web designers and seeing who you like!
All the best,
Michael Dale
A dedicated web design nerd.
