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Now that you have decided that it is time to create a website for your business there are many questions you must answer. One of the most important questions is "Who should create my website?"
I like to use the analogy of playing music; in as little as a few hours, some people can strum a few chords on the guitar and play a song. But to really play the instrument and make your instrument sing requires experience and understanding.
Likewise, although there are tools which are readily available to assist in the process, effective website design requires experience and understanding of many diverse areas including: marketing, Internet graphics options and limitations, effectively creating a site from the perspective of search engines, the differences and limitations of different browsers and computer platforms as well as knowledge of the software and coding required to move beyond simple static html pages.
You definitely should go through the 'interviewing' process with any new prospective web designer. Below are some points that you should consider when talking with different prospects:
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Pay attention to how much they ask you about YOUR BUSINESS. They should want to get to know you and your business intimately. How else can they design a site that reflects you and your business, unless they spend time to get to know you? Avoid those designers that just want to showboat their past projects and not listen to YOUR needs.
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Talk to some of their current and recent clients, to see how smooth the process was.
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Look at sites they've designed to see if you like their style. Is there a certain feel to ALL their sites, or are they flexible in their designs?
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Ask them if they did the actual graphic and layout design of the site, or if they just did the programming.
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Ask them if they have a structured planning process that leads you through the design phase, and if they will document all the discussions that you’ll have together. If they have a Website Planning Guide that you’ll work through together, it’s helpful.
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Ask them what they know about internet marketing and search engine optimization. Be sure that they're creating a site for you that meets your larger marketing and business goals.
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Ask the designer for their fees and what is the estimate of cost for the site you want. They may not be able to give you a good estimate until you discuss content and features of the site.
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Ask them how they bill you. Will they invoice you monthly, or when certain milestones are reached? Do you have to make deposits?
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Pay attention to whether they'll try to stick within your budget, or whether they keep suggesting new add-ons that increase to the cost of your site. Remember, designers aren’t responsible for your budget, you are.
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Ask them whether they will maintain your site after the initial design, and how much they'll charge for that. Some designers want to create new sites but don't want to maintain them. Someone like a virtual assistant (VA) may be able to maintain your site for a lower hourly fee, as long as the VA is skilled in website programming. The more bells and whistles and complicated programming in your site, the less likely that an average VA will be able to maintain it for you.
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Ask your designer for editable files. You need to be assured that you will be able to edit your website (or have another designer edit your website) with ease.
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Do you LIKE the designer? Do you believe they'll act ethically? Do you enjoy speaking with them? Do they stay focused to the task at hand, or do they ramble and waste your time? Do you feel you "click" with their personality and values? Do they offer you invaluable insight and advice about your site design?
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Tell each prospective website designer what your deadline is and ask if they can meet it. If you don’t have a specific deadline, brainstorm with the designer to create a good working deadline that you can both meet.
By doing extensive interviewing of potential website designers, you’re more likely to pick one that can do the work you want, is willing to really listen to you, can create a site that reflects you and your business, and keeps within your budget. |
