Hiring A Web Designer
In today’s business world, your website represents you and your business online. Choosing a web designer is hard, and many business owners make the following 21 mistakes when making their selection on hiring a web designer.
1. Assuming that all web designers are created equal
When business owners are looking for a web designer, they often don’t take the time to do their research and instead go with the first option they find. This can lead to them working with a designer who doesn’t have the necessary skills or experience to create a high-quality website. Make sure you take the time to read reviews and look at samples of a designer’s work before making your decision.
2. Not being clear about their goals
Before meeting with any potential web designers, it’s important that you have a clear idea of what you want your website to achieve. Do you want it to generate leads? Drive sales? Be a source of information for your customers? If you ‘re not clear about your goals, it will be hard for the designer to create a website that meets your needs.
3. Not having a budget in mind
Many business owners make the mistake of not knowing how much they’re willing to spend on a website. This can lead to them overspending or hiring a designer who doesn’t have the experience they need. It’s important to have a budget in mind before you start looking for a web designer so that you can find someone who fits within your price range.
4. Not being involved in the design process
Some business owners think that once they’ve hired a web designer, they can sit back and let them take care of everything. However, it’s important to be involved in the design process and provide feedback along the way. This will ensure that the final website is something that you’re happy with and that meets your needs.
5. Not considering their target audience
When designing a website, it’s important to keep your target audience in mind. After all, they’re the ones who will be visiting your site and you want to make sure they have a positive experience. Consider things like age, gender, interests, and where they’re located when planning your website’s design and content.
6. Being unrealistic about what a website can do
A common mistake business owners make is thinking that a website can do more than it’s actually capable of. For example, they might expect it to generate leads on its own or make sales without any help from them. Keep in mind that a website is only one part of your overall marketing strategy and it can’t do everything.
7. Not thinking about the future
When designing a website, it’s important to think about the future and how you might want to change or update it down the line. For example, you might want to add new products or services, or expand into new markets. If your website isn’t designed with these things in mind, it will be much harder (and more expensive) to make changes later on.
8. Not considering the cost of maintenance
Many business owners forget to factor in the cost of maintaining their website after it’s been designed. This can include things like updating content, adding new features, and ensuring that the site is secure. Make sure you budget for these things when planning your website so that you’re not caught off guard later on.
9. Thinking that “it’s a business expense, so I’ll just buy the cheapest option
When it comes to your website, you get what you pay for. If you choose the cheapest option, you’ll likely end up with a generic website that doesn’t represent your business well. It will also be difficult to make changes or edits to the site, and it may not be optimized for search engines. This can cost you dearly in terms of lost customers and revenue, in the long run.
10. Doing everything yourself just because it’s cheaper
Many business owners try to save money by designing their own website or doing it themselves. But unless you’re a professional web designer, this is a mistake. A poorly designed website will cost you more in terms of lost customers and revenue than if you had just hired a professional to do it right the first time.
11. Not doing their research
When business owners are looking for a web designer, they often don’t take the time to do their research and instead go with the first option they find. This can lead to them working with a designer who doesn’t have the necessary skills or experience to create a high-quality website. Make sure you take the time to read reviews and look at samples of a designer’s work before making your decision.
12. Only hiring for what your website needs "right now"
When you’re hiring a web designer, you need to think about the future of your website and your business. What might you need down the road? Will you need someone who can help with Search Engine Optimization (SEO)? What about social media integration or e-commerce functionality? Make sure you hire a web designer who can accommodate your future needs.
13. Thinking That Google Will Find Your Website
Just because you have a website, doesn’t mean that people will be able to find it. In order for your website to be found by potential customers, it needs to be properly designed and optimized for search engines. This is called Search Engine Optimization (SEO). Make sure your web designer has experience with SEO, or you may need to hire a separate specialist.
14. Not Having Realistic Expectations
When you’re hiring a web designer, it’s important to have realistic expectations. This means understanding that the process takes time, and that you need to be involved in providing feedback and direction. It also means understanding that your website will evolve over time, as your business grows and changes.
15. Not understanding how web design impacts SEO and conversions
Many business owners don’t understand how important web design is to Search Engine Optimization (SEO) and conversions. A well-designed website will be easy to navigate and use, and will be optimized for search engines. This means that your website will rank higher in search results, and that more people will visit your site. A well-designed website will also be more likely to convert visitors into customers.
Make sure you hire a web designer who understands the importance of SEO and conversion optimization. Otherwise, you could end up with a beautiful website that no one can find or that doesn’t generate any sales.
16. Not Checking Their Portfolio
When you’re looking to hire a web designer, the first place you should look is their portfolio. This will give you a good idea of their style and the types of websites they are able to create. If they don’t have a portfolio, or if their portfolio is poor, then it’s probably best to move on to someone else.
17. Not Asking for Referrals
If you know someone who has used a web designer in the past, ask them for a referral. They’ll be able to tell you about their experience and whether or not they were happy with the final product.
18. Not Getting a Written Quote
Be sure to get a written quote from the web designer before you hire them. This will help to ensure that there are no surprises down the road and that you’re both on the same page as far as cost is concerned.
19. Not Checking Their References
Just like with any other service provider, you should always check the references of your potential web designer. This will give you peace of mind knowing that others have used their services and been happy with the results.
20. Not Having a Specific Goal in Mind
Before you start working with a web designer, it’s important that you have a specific goal in mind for your website. This could be anything from increasing sales to generating leads. Without a specific goal, it will be very difficult to measure the success of your website.
21. Not Providing adequate content
One of the biggest mistakes business owners make when working with a web designer is not providing adequate content. This includes things like text, images, videos, etc. Without this content, your website will be nothing more than an empty shell.
Website Designer Near Me
A lot of people think they should work with a large agency for their website because they’re going to do a better job. So you’ll go to their office and it’s a beautiful office that looks to be quite expensive in a nice part of town and they have ping pong tables and people are playing and having fun.
And you think, “Well of course they can do a great job. They’re spending all this money on their office and they have all these fun perks.” But that doesn’t necessarily mean they know how to design or market your website any better than a freelance web designer who is working from home. It just means they have more overhead costs.
What you should really be looking for when hiring a web designer is someone who is:
- Is creative
- Has a strong understanding of design
- Has experience with coding and development
- Has experience with SEO and conversion optimization
- Is easy to work with and communicate with
- Has a strong portfolio of previous work
- Works within your budget
If you can find a web designer who meets all of these criteria, you’ll be on your way to having a successful website that represents your business well and generates leads and sales.
Takeaway: Going with the cheapest web designer is not always the best solution for your business!
Be sure to do your research, set a budget, and understand what you need before hiring someone to design your website. Otherwise, you could end up with a website that doesn’t generate any sales or traffic.
If you’re looking for a web designer, we can help! Get in touch with us today for a free quote.
frequently asked questions
How many hours does it take to make a website?
A simple website might only take a few hours to create, while a more complex website could take days or even weeks. Ultimately, it all comes down to the individual project. Some web designers may be able to create a website in just a few hours, while others might take much longer. There is no definitive answer to this question. It all depends on the particular project.
How much should I charge to build a WordPress website?
It depends on a number of factors, such as the size and complexity of the website, the designer's experience, and the location. In general, you can expect to pay anywhere from $500 to $5,000 for a WordPress website. Again, it all comes down to the individual project.
How much does it cost to maintain a website monthly?
This depends on a number of factors, such as the size of the website, the amount of content that needs to be updated, and the frequency of updates. Generally speaking, you can expect to pay anywhere from $50 to $500 per month for website maintenance. Again, it all comes down to the individual project.
Is Wix better than WordPress?
It depends on your specific needs. Both Wix and WordPress are popular website builders that can create beautiful websites. However, they each have their own pros and cons. Ultimately, the best platform for you will depend on your individual needs. Some people may find that Wix is easier to use than WordPress, while others may prefer the latter for its greater flexibility. There is no right or wrong answer here; it all comes down to personal preference.
Are web designers still needed?
Yes, web designers are still in high demand. Although some businesses may choose to create their own websites using website builder platforms such as Wix or Squarespace, many others will still need the help of professional web designers to create complex, custom websites. Therefore, if you have the skills and experience, you should be able to find plenty of work as a web designer.
Do web developers build websites from scratch?
Yes and No. Web developers do not always build websites from scratch. In many cases, they will use pre-made website templates and modify them to meet the specific needs of their clients. However, some web developers do build websites from scratch, particularly if the client requires a very custom design.
What is the difference between a web designer and a web developer?
A web designer is responsible for the visual design of a website, while a web developer is responsible for the coding and functionality of a website. In some cases, one person may be responsible for both the design and development of a website. However, in most cases, these are two separate roles.
How much does a website cost per year?
This depends on a number of factors, such as the size of the website, the amount of content that needs to be updated, the frequency of updates, and the hosting plan. In general, you can expect to pay anywhere from $50 to $500 per year for website maintenance. Again, it all comes down to the individual project.
What does a Website Developer do?
A website developer is responsible for the coding and functionality of a website. This includes the development of custom features and applications, as well as ensuring that the site is easy to use and navigate. A website developer typically uses programming languages such as HTML, CSS, and JavaScript to create the underlying code for a website.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does SEO cost in Canada?
The cost of SEO in Canada can vary greatly depending on the size and scope of your project. Generally speaking, small businesses can expect to spend around \$500-\$2,000 per month on SEO services, while larger businesses may need to budget for \$5,000-\$10,000 or more per month. Of course, these are just rough estimates; your actual costs will depend on many factors, including your website’s current level of optimization, the competitiveness of your industry, and the number of keywords you’re targeting.
Can you pay Google for SEO?
No, you cannot pay Google for SEO. While there are some companies that claim to be able to do this, it is not possible to directly pay Google (or any other search engine) for better SEO results. Any company that tells you otherwise is likely trying to scam you.
Why does SEO take so long?
SEO can take some time to achieve results because it involves making a lot of changes to your website, and then waiting for the search engines to notice and index those changes. Depending on the size and complexity of your website, this process can take anywhere from a few weeks to several months.
How long does SEO last?
The effects of SEO are not permanent, but they can last for a long time if you keep up with it. Once you achieve good rankings in the search engines, you will need to keep working at it to maintain those rankings. If you stop doing SEO, your rankings will eventually start to slip.
Which is better SEO or PPC?
Both SEO and PPC can be effective ways to drive traffic to your website, but they have different strengths and weaknesses. SEO is a long-term strategy that can take months or even years to produce results, while PPC is a short-term strategy that can bring quick results but requires ongoing investment. Ultimately, the best approach is to use both SEO and PPC to get the most traffic possible to your website.
How do I bump my website on Google?
There is no surefire way to “bump” your website on Google, but there are a number of things you can do to improve your chances of ranking higher in the search results. These include optimizing your website for the relevant keywords, building links to your site, and creating quality content that will help attract visitors.
What does SEO stand for?
SEO stands for “search engine optimization.” It is the process of improving the visibility and ranking of a website in the search engine results pages (SERPs).
How do I rank higher on Google keywords?
Ranking higher on Google keywords requires optimizing your website for those keywords. This involves adding the relevant keyword to your website’s title, metatags, and content, as well as building links to your site from other websites.
What is a good SEO score?
There is no single “good” SEO score, as this can vary depending on the criteria used to measure it. However, a general rule of thumb is that a higher SEO score indicates a better chance of ranking high in the search results.
What is an SEO audit?
An SEO audit is an analysis of a website’s Search Engine Optimization (SEO) health. It assesses everything from the website’s structure and code to its content and off-site factors , and provides recommendations for improving the site’s SEO.
