EdmontonWebDesigner.com | Wednesday, February 22, 2012

Web Design Tips

Important things to know about hiring a web designer.

You Get What You Pay For

Your website is an integral (if not the MOST important) part of your overall marketing and advertising strategies. It may be one of the most important investments you make for your company so do not try too hard to save costs or cut corners. You'll get exactly what you pay for, and your customers will notice!

Help the Web Designer Help You

Web design, like any project, can risk failure or stall for an extended period of time. Keep in mind that YOU play an important role in developing your own website. Even though you're not a "web desginer", you are still responsible for providing direction, input and feedback. You may have to send your web designer a proper copy of your logo, pictures or text. Don't leave your web designer hanging - help them help you complete your project on time and on budget.

Think About Now, and Think About 10 Years From Now

Your website will have a very long shelf-life, potentially greater than 10-years. When planning your website, consider what you are building and how difficult it's going to be to update and maintain in the future. Are you using a design technique that will go stale in a year and need to be redone? Are you using technology that will be obselete in 2 years? Also consider whether or not your designer will be around to support you for the long-haul. Are you using a web designer who could be out of business in 3 years? Are you using a freelance designer who could change professions and leave you stranded any day now? If you find a web design company who's been around for 10 years or longer, they've already outlived most of their competition and will likely be around for the next 10 years or longer.

Look For a Full, In-house Solution

Designing a website can be quite a time consuming process, and often requires several skill sets such as graphic design, web design, web & email hosting, database programming, video production, copy writing and photography. Do not multiply your project and vendor management workload by chosing a different company for each service. Take time to find web desginers that can provide most, if not all, of what you need in-house. You'll be greatful for the time you save yourself in the future!

What You See is What You Get

If you like what you see in the prospective web designers portfolio, you'll probably be happy with what they design for you. If your gut tells you otherwise, do not chose that designer, no matter what they promise.

Make Sure Your Domain Name is Registered to YOU

Don't risk having your domain name hijacked if the relationship with your web designer goes sour. When registering your domain name, ensure you are listed as the domain name OWNER and your personal email address is listed as the ADMINISTRATOR CONTACT EMAIL. Also be sure to register your domain via a reputable domain name registrar.

Hidden and Unforseen Costs

Don't be fooled, your "website design" may only refer to one of many costs in the grand scheme of things. For example, a designer may quote you $1000 for a website (based on 20 hours of work billed at $50 per hour). What you may not know, is that this fee does NOT include your website hosting, photography of the products/services you're selling, or the design of your logo that needs to be on the website.

When requesting a quote from a web designer, make sure you ask for a specific breakdown of what is and is not included in the fees. Most professional web design companies will provide you with a thorough website proposal ensuring there are no surprises come time to invoice for the project.


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