I've put together a list of questions that are important to ask before hiring a web designer.
It is an exciting time for you and your business so to make the process enjoyable; you will need to pick a designer that understands your vision, is within your budget, has the experience and is reliable.
By asking the right questions, you will sound professional, prepared and have the website you envision.
1. What platform will you be building the website?
There are various platforms available to build a kick-ass website. Each site has its pros and cons, and the most popular sites are WordPress, Shopify, Wix and GoDaddy.
What you need to ask the web designer is which platforms they've built on and the reason behind it.
2. How many websites have you built?
Experience is vital. You wouldn't expect to get a job if you don't have the experience, so why would you hire a web designer with no experience?
After all, you are paying for the service, and you expect to have a masterpiece at the end, not a practice run.
It's helpful to see some example of the designer's previous work and if possible, talk to their past client and read their reviews.
3. What do you need from me?
An experienced designer should tell you what they need from you from the beginning. But if the designer does not ask, please be sure to ask what is required from you as it prevents delays later on. For example, the designer should ask you for content, log in details for the accounts, if you prefer to use your media then access to those media and so on.
4. What research do you complete before starting the website design?
This question is what separates amateurs from the pros.
An experienced designer will ensure they are building the right site for you by doing some research. The research should begin with understanding your brand, product or service. Establish your unique position in the market and target market and grow from there. They should ask what makes your brand different from what's already in the market, identify and leverage on it. Ask for your goals and help you get there. All of these are essential in building a successful website.
5. How much involvement will I have?
It is up to you how much involvement you wish to have in the process. A designer should be open to your choice. Many people like to be included in every step and want regular updates. If that is you, then decide to have a weekly catch up with your designer to go through the changes and make sure you are satisfied.
6. What's your area of speciality?
We all have our strength and weakness; no one is an expert in all things.
Have a conversation with your potential designer to determine their area of expertise and then determine how their expertise matches your business.
7. Can you work within my budget?
Always communicate your budget before you get too far into the planning stage, so you don't encounter any shock or disappointment. If it's not possible to build your website within your budget, you will want to know that before committing to a designer.
8. Will the site be SEO Friendly?
Any good site must be SEO (Search Engine Optimization) friendly.
SEO ensures your website is the first to appear on search engines such as Google, Bing and Yahoo.
9. How long will it take to complete the site?
It would be best if you established an excellent timeline to get your site live. If you are expecting a great site, then you should not expect it to be launch under two weeks. Be mindful that the more changes you make and requirements you have the longer it will take for the site to go live. Have a weekly catch up, so you and the designer are on the same page and in doing, so it will help you meet your target timeline.
10. Do you offer other services apart from web design?
It is good to look for a designer that does more than build a pretty page. It is profitable to have a designer that knows SEO, strategic marketing, create a logo, set up social media, business cards and so on.
Hopefully, these questions will help you make the right decision when choosing a website designer.
If you have further questions, please contact me. I am more than happy to help out where I can.
Good luck with your new venture.
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