Finding the right web designer for your biz doesn’t have to
be a headache. Follow these pointers, and you’ll be able ready to find the perfect
person for your project, and start seeing the benefits of improving your online
presence.
Before you get Started
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There are a few things to do before you even start looking
for your web designer, including:
1. Buy Your Own Domain Name
Owning your domain name (such as startupbusiness.com) is critical
because it helps your customers find your business online, via Google or other
search engines.
It’s easy to purchase a domain name on sites like WordPress,
so be sure to do it before you even start looking for a web designer. Your web
designer could do it for you, but you might end up having to buy it off them a
few years down the line, and nobody wants to have to do that.
2. Define Your Project
Be sure to have a clear idea of what it is you want from
your designer. Knowing this will help you when you’re looking. You’ll be able
to ask them the right questions, and it could potentially save you some money
once you’ve hired them, since you won’t have to waste billable hours explaining
the project from the start.
Ask yourself the following question: Why do you want a
website?
From acting as an online business card or brochure, to
obtaining information and selling products online, websites have many different
functions. Ask yourself how having a website can improve how you do business,
and keep it at the forefront of your mind.
Next, think about how your website’s features can help it
achieve its main function. For instance, your website may need:
- An image gallery
- To obtain information (you will need to decide how will this be managed)
- E-commerce facilities
- To manage reservations or bookings
- To provide quotations
- To display a diary of events
Now, think about what skills your future designer will need
to make this happen. Although this sounds rather technical, it needs to be
considered. Be sure, at this point, that it’s a designer you need, and not a
developer, as these are often two different people with two completely
different skill sets.
3. Think about Timing
Deadlines are not only about final drafts. Decide, and let
your designer know, when you want to see first drafts. Ask your designer how
long it will take to give them feedback, and tell them when you expect to see
the finished product. This will help your designer in terms of availability,
and it will set clear expectations from the outset.
4. Outline Your Budget (And Avoid Problems Down The Road)
Realistically assess what you have to spend, and be honest.
By now, you should already know what you want your website to do, so, as with most
things, the more complex your intentions, the more you can expect to pay for
it.
Pricing a website isn’t straightforward, as there are many
things to consider, but for a rough idea, try this project quote calculator.
Remember that there are some things you can do to cut down
on costs, like having a well-defined project, and collating your content (words
and images). Trying to find the cheapest designer, however, could leave you in
an expensive mess. Outsourcing the work overseas, for example, could present language
barriers and cultural challenges. And always, beware of any web-designin’ loners
with no references.
Next week, we’ll discuss the ‘how to’s’ of finding that perfect designer! Till then …
