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copyright © 2005, by Karyn Greenstreet. All
rights reserved.
When you’re self-employed, choosing a website designer is a crucial
decision, as a good website can bring you more business and a bad
one can drive away prospective customers. Below are some important
things to consider when selecting a website designer for your new
site or site redesign.
What Types Of Websites Designers Are Out There?
I don't think there is an "official" definition, so I'll give you MY
definition:
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A Website Designer
helps you to determine the page layout, graphics, text location
and colors of your site, as well as the navigation and how pages
will cross-link to one another. He may also do the actual
computer programming and graphic art work for the site, or may
hire out that work to a programming specialist. A Website
Designer is the project manager for your site design or
redesign.
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A Website
Programmer takes the design from the Designer and creates
the code to make the site run. She is also responsible for all
the technical stuff that happens behind-the-scenes to make sure
the site works properly for your visitors.
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A Graphic Designer
creates the graphics for the site, including your logo and
buttons. A Graphic Designer may also create the overall look and
feel of the site.
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An Internet
Marketing Specialist helps you to determine how your website
fits into your overall marketing strategy, and how to get more
traffic and sales from your website.
Sometimes, if you’re
lucky, you can get all four of these skills from the same person.
You may find a designer who can also help you with the text for your
website but don’t count on it. Be prepared to write the text
yourself, or hire a professional copywriter.
Who Is A Good Designer And How Much Do They Charge?
I don't recommend specific designers, as much of it depends on
whether you want to work locally with someone, or whether you are
willing to work remotely with them over the phone. Here are some
things to think and ask about when hiring a website designer:
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Pay attention to how
much they ask you about YOUR BUSINESS. They should want to get
to know you and your business intimately. How else can they
design a site that reflects you and your business, unless they
spend time to get to know you?
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Talk to some of their
current and recent clients, to see how smooth the process was.
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Look at sites they've
designed to see if you like their style. Is there a certain feel
to ALL their sites, or are they flexible in their designs?
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Ask them if they did
the actual graphic and layout design of the site, or if they
just did the programming.
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If they don't do the graphic work themselves, do they have
access to a graphic artist who can design logos and graphic
elements for your website?
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Ask them if they have
a structured planning process that leads you through the design
phase, and if they will document all the discussions that you’ll
have together. If they have a Website Planning Guide that you’ll
work through together, it’s helpful.
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Ask them what they
know about internet marketing and search engine optimization. Be
sure that they're creating a site for you that meets your larger
marketing and business goals.
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Ask the designer for
their fees (expect to pay between $60 - $200 an hour, depending
on their skill and their location), and what is the estimate of
cost for the site you want. They may not be able to give you a
good estimate until you discuss content and features of the
site.
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Ask them how they
bill you. Will they invoice you monthly, or when certain
milestones are reached? Do you have to make deposits?
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Pay attention to
whether they'll try to stick within your budget, or whether they
keep suggesting new add-ons that increase to the cost of your
site. Remember, designers aren’t responsible for your budget --
you are.
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Ask them whether they
will maintain your site after the initial design, and how much
they'll charge for that. Some designers want to create new sites
but don't want to maintain them. Someone like a virtual
assistant (VA) may be able to maintain your site for a lower
hourly fee, as long as the VA is skilled in website programming.
The more bells and whistles and complicated programming in your
site, the less likely that an average VA will be able to
maintain it for you.
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If you're going to
maintain the site yourself, ask them if they'll design your site
in a software package that's easy for YOU to use, like
FrontPage. Many professional website designers look down their
noses at FrontPage or Adobe Contribute, but guess what? If you
want to maintain your site yourself, then you have to use a
software package that's easy for YOU to use, regardless of the
website programmer's preferences.
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Ask your designer for editable files. You need to be assured
that you will be able to edit your website (or have another
designer edit your website) with ease.
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You have got to enjoy talking and working with them.
Do you LIKE the
designer? Do you believe they'll act ethically? Do you enjoy
speaking with them? Do they stay focused to the task at hand, or
do they ramble and waste your time? Do you feel you "click" with
their personality and values? Do they offer you invaluable
insight and advice about your site design?
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Tell each prospective
website designer what your deadline is and ask if they can meet
it. Many good website designers are already booked for the next
4-6 weeks, so you may have to wait for the designer of your
choice. If you don’t have a specific deadline, brainstorm with the
designer to create a good working deadline that you can both
meet, especially if you will be doing the job of writing the
website text.
By doing extensive
interviewing of potential website designers, you’re more likely to
pick one that can do the work you want, is willing to really listen
to you, can create a site that reflects you and your business, and
keeps within your budget.
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Karyn Greenstreet is a Self Employment expert and small business coach. She
shares tips, techniques and strategies with self-employed people to boost
clarity and focus, create sustainable motivation, and increase sales and
profits.
Visit her website at
www.PassionForBusiness.com
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