5 Key Factors to Consider When Hiring a Website Designer
Have you been thinking about hiring a website designer? Here are the top 5 things you should consider when looking for help with your website:
#1 COST
Simple website designs can range anywhere from $500 to $10,000. It’s really important for you to first understand where your budget is so that you can find a designer that fits within that budget. Be wary of designers who offer very low rates, as this may indicate a lack of experience or expertise.
#2 design system
There are so many DIY website builders out there these days (i.e. Squarespace, WIX, Shopify, etc.), along with other common platforms such as WordPress and Adobe Dreamweaver. There are pros and cons to each platform, but it’s important for you to understand which CMS system your designer uses, because there are different ongoing costs, maintenance plans, and functionalities of each one. And if you’d like to be able to “own” your site maintenance after the design is complete, I would recommend going with a designer that uses one of the DIY systems. This will save you time and money in the long run, which is ALWAYS a goal in small business.
Read why I choose Squarespace in this blog post.
#3 EXPERIENCE AND EXPERTISE
Designers typically have their own style so prior to working with one, ask for their portfolio to make sure their style vibes with yours. You’ll also want to see that they’ve created sites that have different pieces of functionality that are important to you (i.e. blogs, reservation systems, etc.).
#4 REVIEWS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
Check the designer's online reviews and ask for recommendations from other businesses or colleagues who have worked with them. This can give you valuable insights into their work ethic, professionalism, and quality of work.
#5 CONTRACT
Sign a contract that clearly lays out the process, including timelines and deliverables. This is so very important! A handful of my clients have come to me with half finished sites because their previous designer ghosted them in the middle of the project! There are designers out there that take a down payment, start the project and then peace out! NOBODY HAS TIME FOR THAT! I can't believe this is such a common practice in the website design industry; I truly believe my success is going to be largely based on my conscience customer service. Find someone that will be upfront, in writing, on what you can expect from their service.
Please reach out if you need any more guidance on this process! As a small business owner, you need to make sure you’re not getting taken advantage of and are making SMART decisions from the start to reach success.
