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Originally Posted On: https://bippermedia.com/how-to-choose-a-website-designer-the-complete-guide-for-businesses/

 

6 out of 10 people between the ages of 16 and 64 make purchases using online platforms every week. As more people connect to the internet, you can reach new demographics you may not have reached in the past.

A small business website helps build trust with customers and acts as an easy point of contact. It also creates a presence online and adds value to your brand. You can showcase your products and services with ease, and make it easy for people to buy from or hire you.

Whether you want to revamp an old website or want to create a new one, chances are you’ll need a website designer. But it can be difficult to know where to look and how to choose the right person. This article is here to give you a guide on how to choose a website designer.

We talk about researching options for website designers, so you can make the best choice. We cover project specifications, including your technology, content, and design needs. We also discuss planning your project timeframe and budget.

Do Your Research

Be thorough when researching potential website designers, by looking at many different options. You want them to have the right skills, but you also need someone you will have a good working relationship with.

Try reading online reviews and testimonials about your chosen company or freelancer. Look out for comments about their communication, reliability, price, and final results.

When researching, look at their previous portfolio of work. This way you can see the quality of what they produce and any areas of expertise. It may also give you ideas about what you’d like your website to look like.

Take a detailed look at how they have designed their own website. This is a good indicator of whether they are a good web designer. A polished, easy-to-use website highlights someone who understands how to entice new clients.

If possible, hold some interviews with prospective designers. Many website design and SEO companies hold trial calls where you can see if you make a good fit.

A cohesive communication style is important if you are going to work with a website designer. They should be clear from the outset how often they will be in contact and how they will meet your needs.

Look out for the form they usually communicate in, and how fast they respond to your initial inquiry. Schedule regular video or face-to-face meetings with them so you can discuss progress.

Keep a written record of the things discussed during these meetings. This way both parties have a clear idea about expectations about what will happen next.

Define Your Specifications

To get the most out of your website designer, it helps to have a clear idea about the specifications of the project. Let’s look at some of the key areas to focus on to help find the right website designer for you.

Technology and Content

When choosing a website designer, consider how you want the website to function. Look for someone who has expertise in making websites run in the quickest and most efficient way.

You want it to be accessible on different mobile devices as well as on computers. You also want to make sure that the pages load as fast as possible, as a slow-loading website can put clients off.

You should also think about the maintenance and hosting of your website. Ask the designer if they offer ongoing updates and management as your business grows.

You want a web design professional knowledgeable about optimized website content. SEO is especially important for your website to rank in Google searches and also in your local area.

Design

When looking at options for website designers, it is important to have an idea of how you want your website to look. You don’t need to have a complete version of your design, but try to collect some examples of websites that you like.

User experience (UX) is also a very important area to consider. This is how customers interact and navigate through your website. This will affect everything from which style of buttons you use to the color pallet.

Look for a designer that shows initiative and creativity with their website designs. Although you can bring them a skeleton idea of how you want your website to look and feel, it is up to them to bring it to life. Look for a collaborative work style in this respect throughout your hiring process.

Timeframe and Web Design Budget

When contacting designers, check their availability and ask for an estimated time frame. You want someone who will create your website quickly, without cutting corners.

One thing that you should be clear about when looking to hire a designer is a website design budget. The cost of a website can vary a lot, so having a clear idea of what you want will help narrow down how much it will cost.

Try and gather a few quotes for your project, so you can see which one offers the best value for money. Just because a designer offers services at a cheaper rate, doesn’t make them the right choice.

Discuss with designers whether they have flexible rates or charge a fixed fee. You don’t want any hidden costs racking up throughout the project. Don’t forget to include any ongoing hosting or maintenance fees in your budget.

Choose a Website Designer

When you are planning a website project, it is vital that you choose a website designer that is right for the task. You need to make sure that they have the right expertise, communication style, and price rates. By researching before you hire, you will have peace of mind knowing you’ve made the right choice.

Here at Bipper Media, we are experts in SEO optimization and business insights. We can help you to grow your business by making you more searchable in your local area. We pride ourselves on our customer service and cutting-edge knowledge of the industry.

Get in touch with us today to book your 30-minute strategy call! Also, don’t forget to sign up for our mailing list to grab your free e-book on boosting your local SEO.