How to Find & Hire a Web Designer

Anna Peck
4/11/2022

Looking to hire a web designer, but not sure where to start? Here’s a simple guide of how to hire a skilled web designer that can meet your business needs and requirements. 
 

Starting an online business? A well-designed website is key. 

With nearly 5 billion internet users around the world, having an online presence is imperative. To attract visitors to your site and convert them, your company website needs to stand out from the rest. 

A website design impacts your audience by setting a first impression, benefiting overall brand marketing, aiding SEO strategy, and more. 

The best website design comes from hiring the right web designer. 

But if this is your first website design or your company is looking to go in a new direction, finding and hiring a web designer might be easier said than done. 

This article will walk through factors to consider when hiring a web designer for your business. 

Design inspiration is right around the corner with our list of top web designers.

Do I Need to Hire a Web Designer?

Using the right tools, a web design can be updated internally with a website builder, but it is important to remember that your website is the face of your business. 

If done wrong, a website design can distract – not attract. You want to set your website apart from the competition in a good way, and not drive them to your competitors’ sites.

  • Your business should hire a web designer if:
  • Your business doesn’t want to deal with the design and technical aspects of a website.
  • Your business has a nice budget for a website.
  • Your business is willing to wait – web designs aren’t done overnight. 

Web designers, whether agencies or freelancers, have more resources under their belt, allowing them more flexibility to deliver your website’s perfect look. 

What Should I Look for When Hiring a Web Designer?

When selecting a web designer for your business, it is important to find the right one that fits your business’ goals and vision. 

A skilled web designer should:

  • Be experienced in various skills
  • Offer reasonably priced services
  • Provide an expansive portfolio of work
  • Remain open for ongoing support and future opportunities
  • Feel trustworthy 

A team of web designers should fit all of the above qualities. A successful engagement isn’t always guaranteed, but working with a web designer with those requirements in mind is a good way to start. 

Explore additional web design services by region:

Questions to Ask a Web Designer:

When it comes to hiring a web designer, you have to ask the right questions to yourself and a web designer: 

What Does a Web Designer Do?

A web designer’s job is to create the content and structure of a website – ensuring that all pages, text, graphics, videos, and more connect seamlessly to create an impactful user experience. 

Unlike web developers, a web design team focuses on the frontend or visual parts of a website. 

Along with ensuring the website is easy to use and visually appealing, a web designer must think about how the site translates across devices.

A well-designed website is a key part of brand marketing, so hiring a web designer will only strengthen your brand. 

What Type of Website Should I Make?

Start your internal brainstorming phase by looking at websites you like. Feel free to jot down design ideas or anything that sticks out, even if the website isn’t in your industry.

With those ideas, you can then connect them to your business goals. With your goals, you can then determine which type of website you should make. 

Some types of business website include:

E-commerce websites A website that allows users to purchase products or services from your business
Informative websites A website that gives users information on all aspects of your company to provide them the full picture
Portfolio websites A website that helps creatives showcase their best work for future partnerships
Landing pages A specific type of website that is used for marketing campaigns that drive visitors to perform an action

On your end, you should be prepared to tell a web designer everything you want to include in your website in detail.

How Much Does a Website Cost?

The cost to build a website varies on a number of factors including resources, timeline, functionalities, and more. The more unique features you include, the more likely you are to spend more. The cost can range from the low hundreds to the high thousands. 

Read more on the cost to build a website. 

Budgeting is imperative for any web design project. Get all of your key stakeholders in a room with your web design team to discuss their fees and other factors. 

How Long Does a Website Design Project Take?

Similar to website cost, the timeline of a website design project varies depending on the amount of work required. But, a lot of web design projects have the same key phases:

Kickoff The phase where you meet with the web design team and go over your goals and branded materials. The key planning phase. 
Wireframe & Mockup Creation The web design team creates wireframes (think - blueprints) and mockups (the full image of what your website will look like). 
Feedback & Review The phase where your team reviews all elements provided and gives feedback. Don't rush this stage. 
Design Begins The web designer begins the hard work while providing regular updates. 
Approval & Launch Once the final build has been approved by all parties, the website can officially launch.

It is important to remember that after launch, the web design project isn’t over. All businesses need to factor in maintenance (and their fees) and the opportunities for a refresh. 

Additional reading: ‘Factors that Influence a Web Design Timeline.

How Often Should I Update My Website Design?

Having a well-designed website isn’t one job – it is an ongoing effort. 

Your team should refresh or redesign your website, according to Business2Community, every 1.5-2.5 years

This, like other aspects of website design, is dependent on factors such as budget and time. It is important to keep in mind that updates to your website can be small, which means it is quicker than a full website design project. 

When it comes time for a website refresh, take a look at customer feedback as a starting point. Their thoughts can provide fruitful ideas for site improvements. 

Additional Reading: ‘Website Redesign Checklist: 5 Trends to Consider’

Partner with a Web Designer to Grow Your Business 

A website is key for any business online. However, the success of your website depends on the quality of the website design. 

A well-designed website attracts customers, benefits overall user experience, and builds brand loyalty. 

Start by listing out your requirements, business goals, and budget. From there, create a shortlist of companies by browsing through our directory of web design companies

With the right web design company, you can have an organized and visually appealing website that grows your business. 

Additional Reading:

author

Anna Peck

Senior SEO Specialist at Clutch.co
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