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Web Design; Professional Or Bust

by Stephen Grisham, Sr.

You’re sitting across the table from some “kid” who can’t be older than maybe 22. This kid’s wearing jeans, and feeling like a major effort was made because the shirt is both ironed and tucked in. Is this what you imagined from your web designer?

Honestly, no. There are lots of “kids” out there who need to build a portfolio, and if you are willing to help in exchange for a free site that is fantastic, but sometimes nothing less than a seasoned pro will do.

The world of web design is a time killer. Everyone would like there stint with a web designer to be as short as possible – so when you prepare to meet up with your first candidate, make sure you have other options. Look for all the designers who have a solid education and reputable experience. Whatever you do, do not think there is only one and you have to sign his contract.

Schedule meetings with three or four different designers. When you meet them, do not judge them based on whether you would wear that outfit on this occasion, but instead make sure that you are talking to a reasonable person who looks ready to take on your task, regardless of whether there is a necktie involved or not.

Before you go into hiring any designer, get to know what they will be working with. On the internet you can quickly learn most of the different languages that relate to web designing. While not necessary, this will ultimately save you time and money as you can pinpoint what you want done to the site.

Pretend like you are in the interview and make your own portfolio. Show the designers exactly what you want on your website’s pages. If you are going to have a site that people buy products off of, make sure it is selling compatible and is capable of keeping orders from credit cards secure. If you have a wide list of products or pages, a searching tool is often a great time saver for visitors.

When you sit down to interview your designers, hand them a copy of your portfolio. See if you can have them design a simple homepage that can incorporate most if not all of the things you want to see on the site. Not only are most designers willing to do this, but it will ultimately save you time and money as you know your designers style and capability.

Lastly, you need to make sure your designer offers maintenance care. It may not sound important at first, but keeping your site up to date is just as important as creating it. No matter if it is the same designer or by the company they work for, it is an essential piece to a successful site. Normally it is not free but it will benefit you greatly. If you spend the time to prepare for a web designer and creating your own website, you will not only save your time but also your money.

About the Author:

Stephen Grisham, Sr. is a Staff Writer for InfoServe Media, a Houston, TX web site hosting company that provides custom web design. Visit today, or call 1 (800) 838-2203 for a free quote.