Choosing the Right Web Designer
1. Look at their work, their clients' websites. Do they look professional? Are they logical, easy to use, and provide what's needed to help customers achieve their goals? That means that business development has gone into them. Do they rank reasonably well in search engines?
Professional websites require an understanding of actual design -- and what presentations and approaches might be pertinent to your industry. Images must be pertinent and professional; ad copy should appeal to your customers. This is a matter of marketing know-how. Even if you write the text, it's best if your chosen web designer understands and is able to implement these functions. The pages also have to download fast, and work in a variety of browsers.
2. The search engine issue. The website should be built to place well in search engines - because it's no help to have a website that places 2,003 for your chosen search terms. Since search engines are a major source for website visitors, are the designer's websites built to gain good search engine rankings? Actually, this is difficult for most people to tell - but you can ask the web designer. He'll either know and be able to show you some examples, or he won't.
Shouldn't a web designer know all this? Not necessarily. This is an entire study in itself. Web designer is a catchall phrase in an industry that has grown very fast in a relatively short time. To be fair, "web designer" typically means someone who can design and build a website. If search engine rankings are important to you, ask.
Find out, too, if he's going to submit your website to the search engines. If he isn't, then it'll be up to you. Don't discover years later that nobody put your website in the search engines.
Can he work with you -- and vice versa? This is an important point. Designing a website is an intense endeavor, and the designer will need to work with you, to get a feel for your business and industry, and to ascertain your preferences and goals. At the same time, you'll have to feel comfortable with him, and to know that he'll give you the benefit of his knowledge of the Web and marketing. Does he get super-touchy when you ask for changes, or does he listen, learn and give the benefit of his expertise? All this you can only find out by talking to him. A phone call or meeting is a must.
Does he speak English -- or geekspeak? Can he explain Internet and computer terminology to you in plain English... or worse, does he not explain anything at all? The truth is that you may need to understand a little more of it than you do now. Does he take the time to explain it so that you can easily understand it?
Long-Term Relationship? Find out what his plans are after your website is completed. Many clients appreciate an ongoing relationship, the ability to follow up, get website maintenance, plan future expansion strategies, or just kick ideas around. Some design houses just design; others are available to help with marketing strategies. Will he be there when you need help setting up your email program to get your website's email?
Other Questions. Ask what they will do to optimize the site for search engines. If they don't know, or if they say that choosing good metatags is all you need to do, then they don't really know what they are doing.
Ask how they approach the construction of your site. How will they go about determining your needs? Will you be consulted during construction? How often? What happens if you don't like their design?
Be clear about who owns the site. Some designers like to retain copyright, but in our opinion the site should belong to you no with conditions at all.
Last but not least, ask about cost. Don't be sucked in by cheap quotes — they usually mean that something is missing. On the other hand, if you are quoted more than a few thousand dollars you should expect a stunning result — most websites can be made for less than this. Also ask about the cost of upgrades.