Deciding on a designer and manager for your website can determine if you are happy with the result and your web experience or if it seems like a never-ending disaster. Here are a few things you can consider:
- How experienced is the designer? Ask to see some of their work.
- What is their reputation? Ask to talk to some current clients.
- Does the designer agree with your needs for the site?
- Has the designer created designs for a business like your before?
- Discuss a time frame for the construction. What are your expectations?
- Discuss pricing. For large projects, set milestones and arrange for payment as each section is completed. For a simple website, there may just be a deposit needed.
- Remember that just as in building a house, changes can cost you money and time. Some changes can be made quite easily, while others are time consuming and expensive. Try to make any changes in the plan early, hopefully before work has begun.
- Ask if your designer includes the copy (text) for the site or if that will be up to you. Your site will be finished faster and more accurately with you providing your own information.
I suggest you interview the designer as you would an employee. After all, you will have to be able to communicate with this person and to describe what your needs are. If you get a feeling that you are not getting your point across, discuss your concerns with the designer and come to an agreement on the points you are uneasy about before construction begins.
One last thought: your website is only as good as the information YOU can provide to the designer. The best content often comes from the business it’s self. The better you understand your business, the better you can direct your designer to represent you. Be ready with text (preferably already typed out), high quality pictures and a business biography for your site.
