Choosing a web designer is a big decision. Choosing a designer is like making a business partner so must choose him/her very carefully. Choosing a web designer can also be like choosing an interior decorator, every designer has a style or creative edge they excel on and prefer. Its not always easy, especially if you don’t have detailed knowledge of how the World Wide Web works when choosing a web design partner. Choosing a web designer is a personal choice. Choosing the right web designer is important in your business because you need someone who offers excellent customer service, is easy to talk to but who also has the necessary skills to complete your project at a reasonable rate.
Web Designers
Web Designers are often a team of workers that work in close cooperation in order to accomplish client demands or they can be an individual who works as a freelancer.
Either way, you will still need to evaluate before you choose. Sometimes it is better to go with a smaller company as you may get a better experience versus going with a big factor type company who has many different designers on staff. Of course, again, either way, you can choose the wrong company, big or small.What to look for
Price is not alway the thing to look for. Web designers usually include links to samples of their work on their web sites or they can include them with their proposals. This is one thing to look at. Does this design firm or individual build the types of sites that I am looking to portray with my company/personal web site? Price may be a decisive factor, but look at the quality of work and the options first before looking at price.
Price
No obviously you have a budget, or if you don’t, you should before going into a project.
Many Web Designers can tailor your needs based on your budget. Some Web Designers have set prices. This just depends on the designer and/or firm. Price shouldn’t make your choice, especially if the difference is only a few hundred dollars here or there, unless of course you can’t afford it, but you on the same hand shouldn’t expect your Web Designer to build a Fortune 500 company site for 0 either. Be reasonable as Web Designers are just like you and they need to make a living too.Support
Another thing to look for is support options. Does the company offer maintenance programs or do they offer you a way to edit your site on your own. With all the Content Management Systems out there, you shouldn’t have a problem getting a site built on one of the popular platforms. Support can also be looked at during the project. Does the company have a project manager that gives you access to voice your opinion or are you at the mercy of the designer returning your many calls and/or voicemails. Responsiveness should be on your list when choosing a Web Designer.
Trying to keep my ranting short here. Just use your common sense when choosing a Web Designer to take on your project. Building a relationship with your Designer first is not a bad idea. Test the waters with he/she/firm before you decide upon them as your go to team all the time. If you have a good relationship with your Web Designer, you can reap the rewards of many years of working together towards your common goal and that is to make your web site successful.
Shannon Cox is the owner of www.argonstudios.com. Argon Studios produces high quality Joomla! custom web design and development and has been in business for over 10 years providing work from Fortune 500 companies to small to mid-sized businesses.