So, it’s time to find a website designer, but you might be wondering, where do I start? Maybe you are starting your own company and need a brand new one, or you just want to give your old and outdated site a makeover. Regardless, you are looking for a web designer and developer to bring to light your company’s message and corporate image. The site needs to have the look and functionality for your type of industry. It needs to speak to your audience and capture their attention. There are an overwhelming number of choices out there, firms, agencies, small design companies, individual web designers. To help make your search a little bit easier, here are a few attributes you should look for in a good web designer.
1. What’s their experience?
Ask about the projects the company has worked on and their client list. Companies that employ seasoned professionals have huge advantages over startups. They have already proven that they are good at changing and adapting to new website trends. Companies with longevity will be around when you need updates to your site or to work with you while your business grows. Younger companies, although they may have cheaper pricing models, are much riskier and their skillset can be limited. Don’t risk going with a company that may not be around in six months.
2. What’s in their portfolio?
Web designers should have their own well-designed website that showcases work that they have done. Do you like their work? Would your brand be well represented? Generally, you should know right away if that designer would be a good fit for you based on their portfolio and after meeting with them. Ask yourself, can I work with this person comfortably? . If you don’t that designer would be a good match, keep looking, this relationship needs to be one you are comfortable with.
3. Are they well-rounded?
Designers that have worked with a variety of industries have a good grasp on what makes different kinds of businesses tick. They are able to create unique websites based on the type of company and their audience. Designers with minimal experience are going to just give you a website based on a template, that has been used hundreds of other times. You need to stand out among your competitors, not be the same as them.
4. What are their prices?
“You get what you pay for,” is a cliche that is true for web designers, as with anything else. The too good to be true prices, are really too good to be true. A designer that cuts corners, or doesn’t completely understand what they are doing, will ultimately result in a bad website that will result in slow business growth. Designing and coding a website requires a sophisticated knowledge base. You need a web designer that will be worth the investment, and ultimately result in the growth of your company.
5. Do they have a marketing department?
A web company without marketing is like a sports car, with no motor. It may look nice, but it’s not going anywhere. Marketing can help direct web designers and developers in creating websites that are user friendly, functional, and websites that will drive the right traffic to the right places on the site.
6. Do they listen and make suggestions?
Have a meeting with your prospective website designer and see what they can bring to the table. Do they listen to what you have to say? Do they make recommendations? Or do they just nod and agree with everything you say? You don’t want a designer who will just go along with all of your ideas and bring nothing to the table. Designing a new website should be a collaborative experience for both the client and the web company’s team.
7. Do they make responsive sites?
Mobile now ranks number one for mobile searches. If your website designer doesn’t know how to design for both desktop, tablet and mobile, you will be missing out on more than half of all prospective clients. You want your new site to reach the broadest audience as possible, in order to grow your business.
8. Do they have the time and skills?
Are you currently using your friend, nephew, or cousin to build your website? Someone who said they could build it but don’t really have the time or true know-how? If it’s not working out, it’s time for you to move on. Nicely tell them you have a new direction for the development of your site and make the break.