Important Questions to Ask Your Web Designer Before You Hire Them

You’ve finally decided that your business needs a website. Congratulations! Having a website is a great way to reach new customers, connect with existing ones, and boost your bottom line. But before you can start reaping the benefits of your new site, you need to find a web designer to build it. Not all web designers are created equal. Some are great at design but don’t know much about coding. Others can code up a storm but their design skills leave something to be desired. And then there are those who are good at both – but they come with a hefty price tag. So how do you find the right web designer for your needs? And once you’ve found them, how do you make sure they deliver what you’re looking for? Here are some important questions to ask your web designer before you hire them.

1. “Do you have experience designing websites in my industry?”

Different industries have different website needs. If you’re in working in the healthcare industry or any other highly regulated field, for example, your website will need to meet certain compliance standards. Make sure your web designer has experience designing websites in your industry and is aware of any regulations you need to follow.

2. “Can you show me some examples of your work?”

A good web designer should be able to show you a portfolio of their previous work. This will give you an idea of their design style and skills. When you’re looking at their portfolio, pay attention to the website’s overall look, navigation, and usability. Do they use colours and fonts that are appropriate for the website’s audience and industry? Is the layout easy to follow? Do the websites they’ve designed load quickly and work well on all devices? Also, take a look at the types of websites they’ve designed. If you’re looking for a simple one-page website, but all their examples are of complex eCommerce sites, they may not be the right fit for your needs.

3. “Who will actually be working on my website?”

When you’re talking to a web design agency, it’s important to find out who will be working on your project. Will it be a team of designers or just one person? If it’s a team, will you have a dedicated project manager who will act as your main point of contact? You should also ask about the web designer’s availability. Do they have any other projects they’re working on right now? If so, how much time will they be able to dedicate to your project? It’s also worth asking if they outsource any of their work. Some web design agencies use overseas contractors to do some or all of their work. This can often lead to communication problems and a lower quality end product.

4. “What is your design process?”

A good web designer should have a well-defined design process that they follow for every project. Find out what steps they take from start to finish, and how much input they’ll need from you at each stage. A web designer who involves you in every step of the process is more likely to create a website that meets your needs and expectations.

5. “How do you handle revisions?”

No matter how clear you are about what you want, there’s always a chance that you’ll want to make changes after seeing the first draft of your website. Before you hire a web designer, find out how many revisions are included in their price. Some web designers charge extra for revisions, while others include a certain number of free revisions in their contracts. You should also ask about the process for requesting revisions. Will you need to provide detailed written instructions? Or can you simply point out what you don’t like and let the web designer take it from there? Finally, find out how long revisions will take. A good web designer should be able to make most revisions within a few days. But if your web designer is working on multiple projects at once, revision requests may take longer.

6. “What is your timeline for completing the project?”

A good web designer will be upfront about how long your project will take to complete. They should also be realistic about any deadlines you set. If your web designer is available to start work immediately, that’s a good sign. It means they’re not overbooked and will be able to focus on your project. You should also ask about the web designer’s availability during the project timeline. Will they be available for calls or meetings if you need to discuss changes?

7. “What happens when the project is complete?”

When your website is finished, you should have full ownership of the design and code. The web designer should also provide you with all the files and assets you need, including source code, images, fonts, and icons. Some web design contracts include ongoing maintenance and support after the project is complete. This can be helpful if you need help making changes to your website or troubleshooting problems. But it’s not essential, and you should be able to find someone to help you even if your web designer doesn’t offer this service. Hiring a web designer can be a daunting task. But if you ask the right questions, you’ll be able to find someone who is a good fit for your needs and budget. Make sure to ask about their design process, timeline, and revision policy. And don’t forget to find out who will actually be working on your project.