Finding the web designer of your dreams

A good web designer and developer can be hard to find. Don’t get us wrong, designers and developers can be easy to find, but finding ones who will listen to your needs and actually implement your vision successfully can be a bit tricky. Because of this, choosing the right designer and developer can be a nerve wracking responsibility, but one that’s worth getting right the first time.

You want and need the right skill set and the best price point, but you may not even know the other things you’re looking for, not to mention all the right questions to ask.

So how do you choose? Here are a 10 tips to help you along the journey.

1. Beware of designers who only use industry buzzwords and fads, but that only focus on the feeling and vision of your brand without specific attention to measurable goals and specific calls to action.
2. Brand recognition is important, but for many small businesses it’s initially more about traffic, lead collection, and conversions.
3. Request a portfolio. Ask your designers for examples of work they’ve done for similar organizations or brands that may have the same objectives or goals. Don’t be afraid to ask for referrals.
4. Ask if their pricing is firm or an estimate. Be sure you know financially what you’re getting yourself into.
5. Request some information on their team. Are they outsourcing part of your project?
6. Discover how they anticipate measuring your results, and ask for this information in plain English. Be sure you understand their approach to the expected success of your site.
7. Understand the process post-design. Maybe down the road you want a tweak or two made. Be sure to get up-front information about how this process works.
8. Understand their approach to usability. Your site isn’t going to be successful if it’s not tailored to the user. Design is important, but great design is intuitive and impacts your organization exponentially.
9. Request a written contract. Be sure your agreements are clear on both ends. This is a benefit to both you and the designer.
10. Follow your gut. If something in your quote or initial consultation doesn’t sit right with you, don’t forget that there are many resources out there. Seek another one.