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Choosing A Web Designer : A Plan to Guide You Through The Minefield
Choosing a web designer can seem like a daunting task. They come in all shapes and sizes - from freelancers working at home to glossy new media agencies, and there is as much variation in prices and service as there is in size. So how do you choose the right one for your business? Select Your Marketplace Firstly, decide what market your would like to select from: local , national or overseas. If you would feel more comfortable meeting your designer, and running through your project face to face (maybe it's the kind of project that needs to "evolve") ,and your ethos is "quality of service" rather than "Pile 'em high, sell 'em cheap" then a local web designer is for you. They can usually provide better back up, and be able to meet face to face to discuss your project and iron out any problems should they occur. If you are a bit more budget conscious, then it makes sense to select from a "wider pool". Getting quotes from designers across your country will usually obtain a more competitive quote. What you lose in face-to-face service is made up for in cost savings, and all but the largest web projects can usually be sorted out via telephone and email these days. For the extremely cost conscious and value for money orientated (some would even say "brave"!) there is the overseas market. If you know exactly what you are looking for and can explain your project thoroughly and clearly in writing, then there are huge savings to be made. But what you save in price is invariably countered by having to do a little more work on your side - particularly when it comes to communication! Finding Web Designers To find a list of local web designers consult your Yellow Pages (or equivalent) or do a web search for "web designer " + "your area". Looking further a field, you can do a web search or check out directories such as www.recommended-web-designers.co.uk . For overseas designers, go to web sites such as www.elance.com or www.rentacoder.com, the latter offering the benefit of escrow and arbitration services. Draw up a shortlist Draw up a shortlist of 3 or 4 designers to speak to. You can do this by visiting their websites, getting a feel for the type and size of business they are and looking at their online portfolio. Then call them - ask them questions about the type of clients they work for, timeframes and any other technical questions you have. Get a feel for how they communicate - whether they are on the same wavelength as you. If you opted to go overseas, the websites already mentioned have ratings systems which can help you decide, and you can also send and receive private messages to ask questions. Get Quotes Once you have your shortlist, you can get quotes. For a straightforward website this can be a simple fixed price - for a more complicated project that is likely to evolve, you may just want to get a budget price at this stage, and then pin down details and a fixed price with your preferred bidder later. Always specify your expected timeframe for completion when obtaining quotes as this can affect prices. Get References Once you have your preferred bidder, get references. Any established web designer will be able to provide details of satisfied clients. Email them and ask if they were happy with the service received, if the job was completed on time, how unforeseen problems were dealt with etc. Remember to trust your instincts: If you are not entirely happy with the references you obtain, walk away and select another designer. Appoint your web designer You now have a fixed price, references, and confirmed timescale for your project. Now appoint your designer! Most have standard agreements -read them carefully, and if in doubt get your legal adviser to look them over. Make sure timescales and project milestones are specified, as well as payment terms. Find out how alterations to your project are dealt with - in terms of cost and delays - and how disputes if they arise would be settled. Finally, when you are completely happy, sign on the dotted line and look forward to a productive working relationship with your web designer! © 2005 Robin Porter. Robin Porter has been CEO of of London based web designer Arpey Internet for over six years.
MORE RESOURCES: Best web design software of 2024 TechRadar Top Web Design Firms Announced by SEMFirms for May 2024 24-7 Press Release Python for Web Development vs. Data Science: Which One to Choose TechiExpert.com Website Design Competition - MCWT Michigan Council of Women in Technology Graphic design trends | Web Design and Content Marketing Crescent Vale Renowned Designer and Entrepreneur Thom Fajemisin, the Creative Force Behind the Redesign of the Ducati Logo ... News Channel Nebraska Why (and How) I Learned Web Development as a Data Scientist Towards Data Science MDS launches new web design services Boating Industry Moving Your Website into the Web Design System (WDS) Washington State University 33 Best Web Design Companies 2024 Built In 18 beautiful parallax scrolling websites Creative Bloq 9 Chicago Web Design and Development Agencies To Know Built In Chicago 30 Best Web Design Agencies To Partner With in 2024 Influencer Marketing Hub BFA in Art - Graphic Design | Undergraduate Programs | Visual TWU Texas Woman's University Top Web Design Trends 2024 Designmodo Why isn't Adobe doing web design better? Creative Bloq Napa's Internet Marketer: Interactive websites: How you can raise the bar on design Napa Valley Register How to design a website: A beginner's guide CNN Underscored 6 ways AI is changing web design Creative Bloq Are you up to build the next best website? Get started with one of these 5 web design courses Fortune Website Design | Alton | Edwardsville | St Louis RiverBender.com 8 Things I know about ... Web design trends for 2024 Worcester Business Journal Jeremy McGilvrey, A Houston Web Design Agency, Inks Long-Term Lease In Prestigious Williams Tower Office Space Yahoo Finance Sweb CEO puts AI to work for small business web design San Antonio Report 5 seriously useful AI web design tools Creative Bloq Valve and Picnik vets Hatch new idea β a no-code web design platform for 'tech curious creators' GeekWire Design Studies (Minor) | College of Liberal Arts UNH's College of Liberal Arts 25 Awesome About Us Page Examples For Web Design Inspiration Search Engine Journal How Google perfected the web The Verge Valpo Web Design & Marketing | Partners Valpo.Life The best free blog websites Creative Bloq Information technology students delve into web design with capstone project University of Missouri College of Engineering Web Design Statistics 2024 and Facts Enterprise Apps Today Valpo Web Design supports NWI No Child Hungry in fight against food insecurity with new website Valpo.Life How to Design an ADA-Compliant Website | CO- by US Chamber of Commerce COβ by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Michelle Belleville Science@NASA The 39 best free web fonts Creative Bloq 18 Free Web Design Tools, Winter 2024 Practical Ecommerce Locofy.ai's accelerates web design-to-code with AI as it pioneers Large Design Models Markets Insider 25 Best eCommerce Website Design Examples for 2024 Influencer Marketing Hub How web design trends have evolved Creative Bloq Best web development tool of 2024 TechRadar 6 great tools for testing responsive design for websites Creative Bloq 17 Free Web Design Tools, Fall 2023 Practical Ecommerce Mizzou alumna uses web design expertise to give back to engineering, community University of Missouri College of Engineering 38 Web Development Stats You Should Know in 2024 Influencer Marketing Hub |
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