Business owners like to move quickly. Many times, urgency trumps planning. I have seen this often in my clients, especially when it’s time to build or rebrand a website. Web design services can be expensive, but rushing the process will only lead to higher costs in the long run. Here’s what you need to know before hiring a web designer.

Is It Worth Hiring a Web Designer?

The decision to hire a web designer depends on two factors: your knowledge of website setup and the size of your business. A larger company with a lot of web traffic should invest in a web designer to optimize the user interface.

However, if you have a smaller business and some basic knowledge of what it takes to make a good website, there are plenty of affordable ways to do it yourself. Websites like WordPress, Wix, or Squarespace allow you to build your website using drag-and-drop features and premade templates to create an appealing design. I highly recommend that you use WordPress and use a template.  You will thank me later when your business grows.

Your website is often the first impression a potential future customer will have of your business, and it’s essential to make it count. Unless you’re confident that you can provide a seamless experience, it’s best to trust a professional. Hiring a web designer is an investment in the future of your business.

What to Know When Hiring Someone to Build a Website

To get the most out of your new website, it’s essential to develop a game plan before hiring a web designer. Here are a few things to keep in mind.

1. Get clear on your vision. A good designer can help you bring your ideas to life, but you need to come to the table with a general concept of what you’re looking for. What are your brand colors and fonts? What pages would you like to see? Look at your competitors’ websites to get a feel for what you want and don’t.
2. Know the red flags. A good designer should do their research on your company and have experience in your industry. Make sure they plan to allow you access to the CMS so you aren’t reliant on them for future website maintenance and content posting, and never let the designer purchase your domain name for you.
3. Find someone you trust. When hiring a web designer, you get what you pay for. Hiring a freelancer from overseas might be cheaper, but you risk having a language barrier and little customer support. It’s worth paying more for a trustworthy designer with branding and SEO experience, great reviews, and a portfolio you love. Check with your business friends for advice and referrals.
4. Learn their process. Once you’ve decided on a web designer, ask them about their timeline and what they expect from you. Understand who will provide your site’s images, copy, and other information. The intake meeting should help the designer comprehend your business and give you insight into their workflow.  The number one disappointment from my clients is the time required to create the written content.  Outsiders/contractors rarely do this well without your creative input.  If you can’t find the time for the words, wait until you can.  This is always the biggest surprise for entrepreneurs. A solution for many is to hire a copywriter to bring your ideas to life.
5. Keep communication clear. If something about the process feels off, speak up. Making changes towards the beginning is almost always easier than the end. Please set up how frequently you can expect updates and check-ins ahead of time so you and the designer are on the same page.

Hiring a web designer is an important step, but building a great website is the tip of the iceberg for growing your business. If you want more tips from an experienced business coach, sign up for my free weekly business emails.

Coach Dave