HOW TO CHOOSE WEBSITE DESIGNER

If you need to have your old site updated or a new Website designed, you may find it very useful as well...

Here is an overview of the steps involved:

Step 1: What information to give the Website designer before the interview

Step 2: Checking out the Website designer - what you need to look for, what questions to ask

Step 3: Checking out references and the Web designer's business practices

Step 4: Understanding the project scope

What Information to Give the Website Designer

Before setting up an interview, there is some information you'll want to give the Website designer to help them prepare for the interview. (This actually saves you time, and cuts through a lot of fluff, because the designer can prepare information for you based on your needs and expectations, and best of all, at the end of the interview, you'll know whether or not they're a good fit for you and your Website. Here's a list of things you can provide them (use what makes sense for your company): 

 

A bio and backgrounder of your company

Your current URL

The reason you want your Website updated or created, and a list of your goals, and what you want your Website to accomplish

A brief description of what you sell, and the steps a customer goes through to buy your products or services (or a list of the steps you want them to go through)

Obviously there is more the Website designer will need, but not until you've hired them and they've signed a confidentiality statement

Checking out the Website Designer

What you want to know about the Designer

If you're choosing a local Website designer, set up a meeting to go over their portfolio. If they come to you, you'll need a computer with internet access, because the best way to view the designer's previous Websites is to look at them online.

If the designer is sending you a CD of their portfolio, you'll want to go over it, and then set up a phone or chat interview to ask further questions.

If you're meeting with a designer over the phone, you'll still need the computer and internet access so they can direct you to the appropriate urls.

Look for specific features that catch your eye.

Then look at the different elements each sample showcases. These may include: shopping cart, blog, online catalog, CRM, list building element, etc.

Questions to ask the Website Designer: 

What do you think are the most important elements I need on my Website to achieve my goals? Why?

Give me an example of a challenge you faced in designing a site similar to one you would build for me, and tell me how you solved it?

What will you do to help me achieve my goals in created a branded company image through my Website?

What will do you to help me achieve results in my marketing strategy?

Give me a brief overview of SEO strategies you will add to my Website.

May I have a list of at least 3 references from past clients please?

Checking out references and the Web designer's business practices

This is a very important step and one that many entrepreneurs are uncomfortable with. But it's something that needs to be done. So just cowboy up, and do it. Ask the Website designer for a list of 3 past clients that you can check with.

Reference checking script:

Are you happy with the Website that (insert designer's name) built for you? (If they don't elaborate, it's okay to ask them, 'Why or why not')

Did (insert designer's name) meet their deadlines and communicate with you regularly throughout the process?

Has your Website helped you achieve your business and marketing goals?

Is there anything you'd do differently knowing what you know now?

Would you use (insert designer's name) again if you needed another site built?

Well, that's all the questions I have. Thank you very much for your time, you've been very helpful.

Understanding the Project Scope

Professional Website designers usually have a project scope that they'll send you when you're ready to get started. It will include a list of the information they need from you, such as:

·  Graphics

·  Background information

·  Content or content requirements

·  Color preferences

·  List of elements you want

·  Logo, tagline and other graphics specific to your brand

·  Shopping cart or payment information

·  Current company Website

·  Information relating to your hosting company, etc.

·  The Project Scope should also include information about:

·  How and when the project will start

·  Fees and payment schedule

·  Project milestones

·  Communication methods and schedule

·  Follow up meeting or interview schedule

·  Contact information

·  What to do in case of a problem or if you want changes made

·  Copyrights

·  Confidentiality and use of confidential or proprietary information

It's always a good idea to have your attorney or other business advisor look over any legal or binding document before you sign it. And of course, if you have an questions or concerns, now's the time to bring them up with the Website designer. 

Author Divya pandey is associated with many SEO, web design and logo design activities at AN Info Solutions. AN Info Solutions is a  SEO Firm from Delhi, which provide all type of search engine optimization work, along with Link Building, Graphic Design  Domain Registration.