Archive for December, 2008

With so many web designers to choose from, how will you ever find the one that is right for you? Here are some guidelines to help you narrow down your choices, and choose the best web designer for your needs.

1. How Much Do You Like Their Work?

The most important thing to consider, bar none, is how well you like the web designer’s work. Take a look at web sites that the web designer has built for other clients. Visit the actual web site, and go beyond just the home page. Does the web site look professional? Is the navigation intuitive and logical? Are the features useful?

Visit numerous sites the web designer has built to come up with your overall impression. If there are several web sites that you like, or the designs really make a good impression, then this web designer is a good match. However, if you do not see very many sites that you like, then most likely this web designer will not create a web design that you will like either.

2. What Is Their Price Range And Schedule?

You need to determine which price range you are comfortable with, and find a web designer that works in that price range. If you have a budget of $5,000 for your web site, then it makes no sense to evaluate web design companies or agencies that charge $20,000 or more. Simply ask the candidates which price range they typically work in to find the web designers that are appropriate for your budget.

You’ll also want to consider the schedule of the web designer. Many designers are extremely busy and cannot get to your project for weeks or months. Others may have a better schedule and can start work right away. You just want to make sure that your designer gives you a realistic timeline that meets with your schedule.

3. Do They Have The Expertise You Need?

The expertise of web designers varies greatly, so you’ll want to make sure that your web designer can handle all your requirements. Some web designers are experts at graphical design, but are weak with some of the more technical aspects of web design. Others have great technical expertise, yet they are not so good with the graphical design end of things. Try to find someone that is well balanced, and that offers a comprehensive set of services.

Here are some common things that you may need for your web site: Content Management System (CMS), search engine optimization (SEO), CSS design, Flash web design, online forms, search capabilities, e-commerce, etc. Think about all the technical things that you need, and make sure your web designer has the expertise to handle them.

4. What Are They Like To Work With?

What is it like to work with a given web designer? Are they professional, friendly, and polite? Do they give good advice and guidance, or are you on your own? How responsive are they to your inquiries?

A good way to find out such things is to ask for references, and to call and talk to the references. Usually you will get an unbiased opinion that will help give you insights that are valuable to your decision process.

5. How Dependable Are They?

Another really important thing to consider is how dependable your web designer is. This field is infamous for designers that are unreliable, or really hard to get a hold of. Make sure your web designer has been in business for a while, and choose a firm that is established and reliable.

You want a web designer that is going to do the work on time and on budget. You want to count on your web designer, so that you know without a doubt that you can trust they will be there when you really need them.

Again, contact references and ask specifically about how dependable the web designer was. The answer will usually be really clear cut – either the designer was quite dependable, or there were some issues.

Conclusion

Choosing a web designer can seem daunting, but by following some basic guidelines you can quickly narrow down your choices to the most qualified candidates.