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Ten
Tips on How to Find The Right Web Designer for Your Business
A
talented individual or company can give your website a professional
touch and make it stand out from your competitors. However, you should
spend some time to find the right web designer to meet your needs. Here
are some tips to keep in mind before you make your final decision.
1. Identify the
Primary Goal of Your Web site or Blog
Before you request
the help of a web designer, you need to determine
the primary goal of your site. Is the purpose of your blog or website
to sell products, provide information, collect contacts or provide
services? Do you want to include audio, video or animation and do you
require search engine optimization? Is web marketing a part of your
plan? If you are unsure about any of these elements, discuss them with
your designer before beginning the design process.
2. Investigate the
Designer's Skill Set
You should find out
the particular skill sets and strengths of a
prospective web designer or team. Some designers specialize in helping
small business owners and focus in one or two main areas. They may rely
on partners or other individuals to assist with other aspects of the
design process. Remember that programming and designing are two
completely different skill sets. Just because someone is a talented
designer, does not mean that this individual can program efficiently or
vice-versa. Design agencies can often provide experienced individuals
who can assist you in both areas.
3. Review A
Designer's Portfolio Carefully
If you are
considering hiring a web designer, make sure to review
their entire portfolio. Visit other websites the person has designed,
and look for at least one site that catches your attention. You need to
find someone whose work you admire. You should also remember that most
designers solicit additional resources for design support resources and
page coding any sites they create.
4. Check Multiple
References
Often the best way to
find a talented web designer is by
word-of-mouth referrals. However, it may still be suitable to consult
multiple references. Talk to more than one site owner who have hired
the individual or team you are considering to find out their
experience. Every website contains multiple components that are often
frequently updated so be sure to inquire the date when a particular
site was created. If you encounter a negative reference for a designer
with an impressive portfolio, find out how long ago the work was
completed. It may be possible that the designer had issues with the
client or that their skills set or policies have changed with time and
experience.
5. Verify Feedback
& Communication On Freelance Sites
If you are seeking a
web designer on any of the freelance job sites
or forums, make sure to verify the individual's feedback and look for
trends. You should also initiate a dialogue to determine the response
rate and level of communication. Remember, that you will require more
time and patience if you decide to hire a talented web designer who
does not speak your language fluently. Be prepared to repeat questions
and guidelines to ensure you both know exactly what is expected. If you
are a small business owner, you can also look for web designers at
local printing companies, design schools, institutions and local
colleges.
6. Spend 30 Minutes
Finding Suitable Online Examples
You should spend half
an hour searching online for websites that
appeal to you. This small investment can save you literally days or
week going back and forth with your chosen designer. You will be able
to provide concrete examples of your desired design concepts which will
minimize the amount of revisions required.
7. Prepare As Much
Web Site Content Beforehand As Possible
Don't wait until your
designer begins creating your site to start
creating content. This can often destroy a project during the web
design process. Prepare as much of the content for your site beforehand
as possible.
8. Inquire About SEO
Optimization
You should consider
SEO optimization for your web site. This is
becoming increasingly important thanks to the ever-changing search
engine algorithms. Don't assume that your web designer will
automatically perform this service for you. Inquire if this is part of
the design package and what level of SEO optimization will be included.
9. Find Out How Many
Versions or Changes Are Included
Before hiring a web
designer, make sure to inquire exactly how many
versions or changes will be included for the agreed price. You don't
want any unpleasant surprises during the process.
10. Verify If You
Will Receive the Artwork Upon Project Completion
Ask if you will
receive any artwork used on your website after the
project is complete. Some designers will charge an additional fee to
prepare artwork finalization, whereas others will send you the artwork
upon receiving final payment. You should obtain all the original
artwork in case you need to hire another individual in the future
update or revise your site.
If you follow the
above guidelines when choosing a web designer, you
can save yourself a lot of unnecessary time, expense and frustration.
If you choose the right designer, you'll end up with a professional
site that can help you gain a competitive edge!
Michael Ehlert,
Creator of the Rev Up Your Web Business system, is
an industry leader in showing you how to generate more profits from
your website. Get 50+ Ways to Promote Your Business and Generate
Quality Traffic here: http://www.RevUpYourWebBusiness.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Michael_Ehlert
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