Posts Tagged ‘good web designer’

If you have never had a website before, the whole concept can seem overwhelming at times. It’s not as overwhelming as one might think, as long as you have a designer who is willing to keep you informed.

There are some designers who will only do what they want and not ask for input from their client. They may also seem too busy to answer your questions or their talk is so much techno-babble that you are totally lost on what you are getting. These are the designers to beware of. However, getting a good designer doesn’t have to be difficult.

Research, Research, Research-Check with colleagues and get their advice. They may have somebody who they have used and were extremely pleased with. Research on the internet different types of web design companies. Call them or email them and see what kind of a vibe you get from them. Don’t be alarmed if they don’t have much of a portfolio because that could just mean that they just started their business. However, they should have some type of portfolio even if it’s their own site for a reference.

Ask Questions-A good web designer should be willing to answer any and all questions that you have. This can be questions about the process, the design, timeframe, etc. If they talk to you using words or phrases that you don’t understand, tell them. If they continue to use techno-babble and don’t answer your question to your satisfaction, walk away.

Stay informed-Once you have decided on a web designer, make sure you are getting periodic updates from them. Make sure you are being asked to have some input about your design. The designer should send you a rough draft of the header of your site. If there is something that you don’t like, tell them. A good designer will work with you on getting a design that is both acceptable to you and them. Once you get one step done, don’t be afraid to ask what the next step is. They should be willing to tell you where you go from there.

Upon Completion-A good web designer is there for you to answer any questions that you may have once the design is complete and the structure is installed in your hosting account. They should be willing to answer any questions you may have about updating the site, adding additional content, etc. They should also be willing to give you advice on how to make the site a success.

Ownership Protection – Choose a designer who protects your ownership of the site. That means they make sure you register your own domain name IN your name, that you can move your site if you need to, that you have access to information to all of the hosting, and support sites needed, as well as all software license in YOUR name, not theirs. Make sure you have top level access to all site areas. A good designer will always be willing to give you the ability to easily fire them and hire someone else with the least possible hassle.

When you find a good designer, getting a website won’t seem so overwhelming. As long as you get a designer who cares about their clients and making their site a success, getting a website can be one of the greatest assets to any small business. However, if you get a designer who doesn’t care, getting a website can be one of the most stressful and disastrous parts of owning a business.

Just go with your gut. If the gut says something isn’t right, walk away and find another designer. The extra time you spend now getting a good designer can save you a lot of headaches and problems down the road.

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