5 Things You Need to Know Before Hiring a Web Designer
New year, new goals!
It is time to get those great ideas out of your head and into the world. If one of your goals is to share an idea, product, or service online you’re likely daydreaming about your website.
Before you consult with a designer, consider these five things:
Your “why.” Why do you want to have a website? Does it support your business? Is your goal to develop your personal brand or blog? Think about what you want to share with the world, how you want to do it and why. Remember: Your website is a marketing tool, a sales platform, and your home online. But, a website alone is no substitute for a business and marketing plan.
If you aren’t sure if you need a website, just ask! I’d be happy to offer some advice.
Your budget. How much are you prepared to spend on your website? As you visit the sites of designers, take a look at their rates and packages. If the price is beyond your range but you’d really like to work with the person, plan ahead! Going with the least expensive designer doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll save money. There could be services that they don’t provide to keep their rates low or the quality of their work might be inferior.
Your timeframe for completion. Are you ready to start or are you exploring possibilities? As a freelance designer, I focus on one or two clients at a time, depending on the size of the project. We work intensively over a short period of time to get the job done. A 5 Page Emerging Site or a 10 Page Professional Site can be completed in 2-3 weeks.
A general idea about the functions you’d like your website to have.
Do you want to write, vlog, or host a podcast?
Will you need galleries or portfolios to display your work?
Are you selling products?Write down a few thoughts about the features you’ll need. This helps you to “get your head in the game.” You’re prepared to clearly express your needs and wants which will keep your project on time and on budget.
Do you have content? As soon as you start thinking about a website, start gathering content— images, text, video, etc. I have a great system that you can use called Web Plan in a Weekend. It will help you develop, collect, and organize your content in 3 days or less!
Once you know these five answers, contact me! We’ll set up a consultation and soon after, get started on your website!
Until then, take a look at these designs.
-Danielle