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Choosing the right website designer impacts your business positively.
You can find a web designer with the appropriate skills, traits,
and ideas by following the guidelines I describe below. Any website,
yours included, should provide visitors with an experience that
satisfies their needs and your goals.
Step 1 – Re-evaluate your website, if you have
one already
Almost as soon as they see the first page of your site, people
should know intuitively what the website is about and how to use
it. Check that the following statements are true of your site:
- There is a clear, visual hierarchy: important info > less
important info > not as important info
- Pages are divided into well defined areas: [graphics] [buttons]
[text]
- Web conventions are used: colour schemes, lists, headlines,
search boxes, taglines, etc.
- Buttons and links are obviously clickable: colour, size,
and positioning of links are well thought out
If your website violates statements one to four, you need to
move on to Step 2.
Step 2 - Choose a new web designer
So, you’ve decided that your current website needs some
work. Perhaps the design failed on various levels or maybe it
only needs to be tweaked. Either way, you need to find a talented
web designer. Follow these steps carefully and you’ll be
on your way to website bliss.
a) Investigate
Use the test outlined in Step 1 when you view a potential website
designer’s site. If their site doesn’t follow those
guidelines, or they don’t have a website at all, be very
wary of them. Make sure you visit the designer’s portfolio
and see websites he or she has completed. Ask these questions:
Are the websites in the designer’s portfolio:
- Well laid out?
- Designed with consistency?
- Designed with concern for aesthetics?
- Easy to navigate?
b) Interview
After you are satisfied that the designer has done quality work
in the past, you can begin to communicate with them. Here are
some important questions to ask:
- Can I have a list of references?
It’s always helpful to see what the clients have to say
about the designer’s service and skills.
- What qualifies you to be a website designer?
Experience should be the deciding factor. An experienced web
designer has dealt with many clients and knows how to listen
to their needs. The best web designers really care about their
projects and are somewhat creative. They are able to learn new
things, and can accept constructive criticism.
- Can you provide one sample page free of charge, drawing from
my current design?
- Can you estimate the cost of my website redesign?
This question gives the web designer a chance to thoroughly
investigate your current website situation and come up with
an educated estimate.
c) Negotiate an agreement
If you are impressed with the designer’s answers to your
questions, you will want to negotiate a contract. The web designer
and client should construct a contract during he consultation,
whether this takes place over the internet or in person. The agreement
should state that the payment will be made once both sides are
completely satisfied with the work. Be sure to get a hard copy
of the completed agreement. Also, be aware that many web designers
expect a down payment to protect themselves from clients with
unrealistic expectations and goals.
d) Begin the design process
You are now ready to let the designer start the project. If you
have carried out an investigation and interview and created an
agreement, the design process is already off to a good start as
a collaborative effort. Your future website is sure to satisfy
the expectations of your website visitors while fulfilling the
goals of your business.
Send your comments or questions by e-mail to mailto:fuller_ted@hotmail.com.
About the Author
Ted Fuller is a freelance website designer. Since he was thirteen
years old, he has been designing websites, graphics, and flash
animations. Today, he serves clients in the United States and
Canada. You can view his portfolio website at www.fullerworks.com.
Haystack In A Needle has had great success using Fullerworks for
design projects over the past year. If you're in need of some
web design work, send Ted a quote for your design needs and become
impressed with his work.
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