Choosing the right web designer is like choosing the right business partner. Their designs set the tone for your online presence, branding, and marketing strategy. Whether you’re redesigning your current website or looking for a brand new, custom look, hiring the right web designer for the job can ultimately determine your website’s success, as well as your ability to achieve your overall goals.
There are a lot of web designers and developers out there to choose from, all claiming to be the best. That’s why it’s important that you do your due diligence in finding the right one for your needs. Here are a few key questions that you should ask when searching for the right web designer:
What services do you offer?
Most web design companies offer a wide range of services in addition to the actual website design. These days, web design services may include everything from web development, to hosting, copywriting, digital marketing services, e-commerce, SEO and more. While it would be wonderful to have all of this done under one roof, it is important to understand that all of these services require different approaches and expertise, so take the time to find out exactly what services your web design team can offer you.
Can you provide samples of your work?
Examples of a designer’s previous work is key in determining whether or not you want to work with them. From their work, you will learn whether or not you like their style, see what diverse talents and capabilities they have to offer, gain an understanding of how their sites perform, and determine their work’s overall functionality. As you go through their portfolio, be sure to ask questions about their design decisions to see if their process of thinking is in-line with yours and your needs.
Do you custom design your sites or use pre-made templates?
More often than not, web designers offer both custom designs as well as those that are pre-made. If, for example, you’re looking for something unique to drive your brand, you’ll probably want a design made from scratch. Discuss your specific needs with the designer to determine the best option and price-point for your business or brand.
How will my project be managed?
It’s important to know how your project will be managed and by whom, from start to finish. Find out if your project will be assigned to a specific manager, who your point contact will be, what sort of timeline you can expect as your website progresses through the different stages of development (e.g. strategy, design, development, launch, etc.), and how you will be receiving progress reports. Communication is key in the development of any project, so make sure that you know exactly how things will be handled once you give the green light.
What is the collaboration process like?
This is your website, so you should be included in its design with your input valued. From your point of first contact, you want a web designer who is going to ask you questions and engage in developmental conversations so that they can get a feel on what your goals are for the end result. This exchange is key in understanding your future site’s feel, tone, style, target audience and content goals.
Will I be able to see the website as it’s being built?
A good and trustworthy web designer or firm will make sure that you are able to access and view your website as it goes through each phase of development. Again, this is all part of the collaborative process. You will need to be able to see your site so that you can propose any needed changes or edits.
Will my current site experience any downtime?
If your new design is being built to replace your current website, then you must be made aware of any downtime that your site could experience during the transition process of the new one going live. Ask how this transition will be handled to minimize any potential loss.
Will I own the website once completed?
This is a question often overlooked, as some tend to just assume that all rights and ownership will be left in their hands, but this is not necessarily always the case. You must find out if you will own the domain name (and its registration), the website design and the hosting account once your website is complete, or if the web designer or web design firm requires that your site be hosted on their server. Moreover, you’ll also need to ask whether they require an on-going contract in order to keep your website live and working or if everything will be handed over to you upon completion.
Do you offer maintenance services once a site goes live?
Once your website goes live, and all access has been handed over, it’s a good idea to find out if your web designer or firm will be available for any upkeep or future upgrades that your site may need. As technologies and trends continue to change, you may find that you want to do a little updating to your website.
Your website should be a direct reflection of your business’ or personal goals. Take the necessary time to ask these essential questions before you hire your new web designer. Make sure that you choose someone who is results-oriented, collaborative, who will share in your vision, and develop a website to meet (and hopefully exceed) your goals, expectations and needs for the ultimate return on investment.
Are you planning a new or redesigned website project in the near future? Contact us at 773.631.6851 to learn how we can make your business stand out.
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