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10 TIPS FOR CHOOSING A WEB DESIGNER

Ten Tips For Choosing A Web Designer

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Design trends, technical wizardry, and coding standards continue to change.  Suffice it to say, a designer needs to keep up with industry standards in these areas.  The focus of this article, however, has to do with the professional practices of any Web Designer or Web Design company you are considering for your project.

A part time hobbyist,  techno junky, or graphic artist does not a web designer make. Business savvy and marketing know-how are vital to the professional Web Designer's make-up before you, the paying customer, can benefit fully from this powerful marketing tool.

When interviewing a prospective Web designer, keep an eye out for the following marks of a true professional.
 

1.

Returns calls, answers emails, and keeps appointments.  It sounds simple, but more Web designers fail at this basic level than you can imagine.
 

2.

Business and marketing minded.  Technical know-how and graphic artistry are just part of what a Web designer needs to possess to do the best job possible for you. To produce an effective Website, a Web Designer needs a full complement of business and marketing savvy.
 

3.

Takes the time to understand your business goals in relation to your Website.  If they come in pushing their ideas before taking the time to understand you goals, beware!
 

4.

Gives detailed quote with solid price estimate.  Beware of the word "about" as in "It will cost about this much."  A specific quote with a detailed list of what is and is not included is a must have before you sign a contract or a check.
 

5.

Gives clear time line for site completion once text and graphics are received.
 

6.

All accounts related to the set up and maintenance of website are set up or registered in your name with your contact information, not the Web designers. It can be necessary for a web designer to temporarily use their email address so they can be notified when accounts are active and they can proceed. But beyond that, all things should be in your name with your contact information.
 

7.

You own the site. You can change Web designers and servers without loosing your website, domain name, or URL. It's not impolite to ask up front what happens to the site if, for any reason, you discontinue your working relationship. The only right answer is the one above. You own the site. Nothing changes. Another Web designer can pick up where they left off and continue to work on your site.

If, on the other hand, if they tell you that you will lose the site and/or the domain if you change web designers, this can be a substantial set back.  Consider what that means.  You also lose time and money invested in your current site and any ranking you've built up with the search engines.  

Which leads us to number 8...
 

8.

Agrees to provide all user names and passwords as they are established for all accounts related to the set up and maintenance of your Website such as the server, domain name, site tracking software, shopping cart software, payment gateways, etc. Without these, a new Web designer cannot continue work on your site if, for any reason, you decide to discontinue your business relationship with your current Web designer.
 

9.

Stays current on trends and issues related to Website ownership such as usage stats and impact reports, Website marketing trends, and search engine developments.
 

10.

Stays current on effective Web design elements.  Ineffective web design robs your site of visitors. The elements that make up good web design change as users change the way they use the internet. Don't be afraid to ask a prospective web designer how they stay current on issues affecting website design. If you get the "monkey with a math problem" look, beware!