4 Things to Consider When Looking for the Right Web Designer
Are you in the market for a web designer, but have no idea what to look for or questions to ask? I totally get it, I also want to know I'm making the right decision.
First, let’s start by looking at some statistics that show the importance of having a well-designed website in today’s digital age.
50% of website users say they determine a business's credibility based on their website
57% of users say they won’t recommend a business with bad website design
67% of users are more likely to purchase from a website that is mobile-friendly
47% of users won’t wait longer than two seconds for a website to load
Investing in a website is crucial for your business in 2023.
Does this sound like you?
You started your business and DIYed your website to save some money.
You've seen success in your business and you're looking to attract higher-paying clients.
You've outgrown your website.
Hiring a web designer gives you an expert on your team that will ensure you have an effective and engaging website to showcase your brand.
When it comes to outsourcing something in your business it is incredibly important to make informed decisions. Researching to find the right web designer will help you have a better understanding of the person's design style, process, communication style, and benefits and ultimately will provide you with realistic expectations for your website.
#1 Portfolio and Experience:
In my opinion, the top thing to look at when researching designers is their portfolio and experience.
Here are a few things to consider in your search:
Do they provide websites for specific niches?
Some designers niche down to specific industries like interior design, dental offices, mental health clinicians, wellness entrepreneurs, and so on.
There are other designers, like me, that don’t niche down that much, but do niche to provide services for a broader group of people like service-based business owners.
You want to be sure the designer you are contacting is the right fit for your industry.
Does their style jive with yours?
Every designer has a unique style which is why it’s important to check out their portfolio to see if they design sites similar to what you are looking for. If you are looking for a bold design, you don’t want a designer that specializes in clean, neutral designs. This will only lead to wasted time on a discovery call to find out it’s not a good fit, or worse, not being satisfied with the final product.
What are other people saying?
This one is straightforward, read every testimonial and review you can find! Know your values and what you want out of the project, then look for those same values within testimonials. For example, good communication, fast delivery, kind/friendly, excellent process, etc.
Social proof is one of the best ways to find out if you will have a connection with someone.
#2 Design Process and Approach:
There are a lot of puzzle pieces that go into designing a good website. Understanding a designer's process and approach will give you a clear understanding of what is required of you and the designer throughout your project.
If you cannot find their process laid-out on their website or Instagram, be sure to ask for that information in a discovery call. Knowing exactly what to expect leaves everyone with a better experience.
But be sure to look inward first. Get clear on your goals and vision for the project before you begin talking with a designer, which will ensure you align with their approach.
#3 Communication and Collaboration:
We all know the importance of communication, but having a similar communication style with your designer is imperative. Expecting one thing and getting another will lead to disappointment and confusion. Take note of how quickly they respond to your initial inquiry. Did they reply within a few hours or a few days?
During your initial discovery call make sure you ask questions about how you will communicate during the process, via email, client portal, or Slack.. How many meetings will you have? Do they have office hours? Etc.
Asking the right questions and fully understanding their process will go a long way in determining the success of the project.
#4 Timeline
This goes back to understanding the designer's process. Do not wait until you get the proposal to ask how long the project will take. Get clear on how quickly you want it completed and how long the designer takes will either qualify or disqualify them from your search.
It is also important to note in order to keep the timeline on track you must provide the designer with the necessary homework items on time. Staying on track with this will help you to know you’ve done everything in your control to keep the project moving.
If you’re anything like me, you head to a doctor's appointment with a ton of questions in your head but when the doctor walks in you can’t seem to remember any of them. Don’t let this happen to you on a discovery call. Go into it with a list of questions because it is essential to thoroughly vet your potential web designer.
Before your search begins take the time to write down questions that fall within these four key considerations when looking for a web designer: portfolio and experience, design process, communication, and timeline.
Following your discovery call, make sure you carefully evaluate potential web designers based on these factors before making your final choice.
If you found this helpful download my free guide to learn 8 things every service-based business should have on their website.
