Starting a new web design project can be both exciting and daunting. It’s important to be prepared and have an idea of what you’re looking for before you begin. Here are some things to tell your web designer before starting a project:
Know Your Goals
Before you begin, it’s important to know the goal of your website. Are you looking for it to be informative? Or do you want it to mainly focus on e-commerce? Knowing this information will help your web designer determine the best approach and give them an idea of what features they should include.
Have an Ideal Budget
If possible, come up with a budget beforehand so that all potential problems can be avoided down the line. Most designers, including myself, have design rates that we tend to charge. These rates may not fit inside your ideal budget, but having a budget and being straight-forward allows designers to instantly know if you are able to work together on your web project.
Provide Examples of Websites You Like
It helps if you provide examples of websites that appeal to you and give your web designer an idea of what kind of look and feel you’re aiming for. This can save time when developing the website as they will already have a good starting point for inspiration.
Provide Examples of Websites You Do NOT Like
Knowing what website designs you do not like are almost more helpful to a designer than knowing what types of websites you do like. When you are doing your research, take notes of the websites that you don’t like and write down why you do not like them. This ensures that your web designer stays away from designs and structure that will not work for you and your business.
Understand Your Timeline
Letting your web designer know when you need the project by gives them an idea of what type of timeline they should expect and allows them to plan appropriately. This can also help in avoiding any unnecessary delays or rush fees due to unforeseen circumstances.
Be Specific With Your Needs
You’ll want to make sure that all your needs are known upfront so there are no surprises later on down the line. Being explicit about which features are necessary and outlining any additional requests can save time during development as well as avoid any miscommunications. All parties involved should come away from this process happy with the results, so make sure everyone is on the same page!
Ask For Advice
Your web designer is likely very knowledgeable in their field, so don’t be afraid to ask them any questions you may have or get advice on features that could help improve your website experience for users. Getting input from knowledgeable people can oftentimes lead to better results than going into something blindly!
Questions to Ask a Web Designer Before You Hire Them
Deciding who to hire for your web design project can be tricky. Having the ability to ask specific questions beforehand can help ensure that you’re choosing the right person for the job. While you have some things to tell your web designer before starting a project, you may also have questions. Here are some essential questions to ask a web designer before you hire them:
What Is Your Design Style?
Knowing which style of design your potential web designer works in is important. Do they prefer minimalistic designs? Or do they tend towards more intricate designs? Understanding their design style will give you an idea of how your website may look in the end.
How Many Years Of Experience Do You Have?
It’s important to make sure that your potential web designer has enough experience to get the job done right. Finding someone with years of experience will also mean that they have a greater understanding of coding languages and techniques, which can be useful in creating something great.
Have You Worked On Projects Similar To Mine Before?
This question will help determine if they have any sort of knowledge or experience in dealing with similar projects. Knowing this beforehand can save time during development as well as money since there won’t be much guesswork involved.
Are There Any Special Features That Are Important For My Project?
Some projects may require certain features that can only be met by specific programming languages or technologies. It helps to know this upfront so as not to waste time developing things that aren’t necessary for the project itself. Asking this question beforehand could prevent costly mistakes from happening later on down the line!
What Is The Process Like From Start To Finish?
It helps to understand what kind of timeline you should expect when working with a particular designer and how long each stage of development may take. Being able to plan accordingly makes it easier for everyone involved, including yourself!
Do You Offer Maintenance and Support After the Website is Built?
All websites, no matter how they are designed and developed, require software updates, secured backups, content updates, and uptime monitoring (making sure the website doesn’t go down).
What To Think About To Grow Your Website
I love the quote, “If you build it, they will come,” but sadly, this isn’t the case with your website! Once your website is launched, you now need to create a marketing plan to get visitors to your website. Here are a few things that you want to think through to grow your business while having your website be the catalyst in growing your business:
How will I collect and display my reviews to grow my authority online?
How will I get people information to contact them later if they aren’t ready to purchase from me yet?
What type of content should I create on my website so that I show up in people’s search result pages?
What will I do in order to nurture cold leads and turn them into customers or clients?
Have a website is great, but a brand new website may not solve your digital marketing problems.
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