When looking for a website designer, start by asking for recommendations from business associates and searching online reviews. Look for designers with relevant experience, examining their portfolios to evaluate their skills and style. Clearly communicate your goals, budget, timeline and preferences. Meet potential designers via video chat before hiring. Check references thoroughly. Prioritize designers who listen, communicate well and understand your business. Negotiate contracts carefully. Avoid designers who won’t provide detailed proposals, ask for full payment upfront, or rush you to sign.
Key Takeaways
Finding the right website designer sets your digital presence up for success. Keep these points in mind:
- Get recommendations from business associates and check online reviews to identify promising candidates.
- Vet portfolios carefully looking for relevant experience, design appeal, and evidence of technical skills.
- Ask qualifying questions to gauge abilities, experience and communication fit.
- Video chat before hiring to get a sense of working styles and build rapport.
- Define your goals clearly so the designer can tailor the website accordingly.
- Agree on a project roadmap covering all major milestones and owner responsibilities.
- Watch for red flags like lack of transparency, vague proposals or unrealistic timelines.
- Compare multiple options before deciding using detailed notes and reference checks.
- Negotiate contracts thoroughly to ensure terms match agreed upon expectations.
- Maintain excellent communication throughout the project to prevent surprises.
- Prepare for launch by allowing time for comprehensive testing and adjustments.
Pro Tip: Vet potential designers thoroughly and have realistic expectations about timelines and costs. Rushing the process often leads to disappointment. It’s better to take the time to find the right fit.
Your website is often the first touchpoint between your business and potential new customers. It needs to accurately reflect your brand, showcase your products and services, and provide an excellent user experience. Taking the time to find the right website designer sets your project up for success from the start.
But with so many options to choose from – freelancers, agencies, development firms and more – where do you begin? Which credentials matter most? And how can you spot red flags to avoid?
Don’t worry! In this guide, we’ll cover:
- Where to look when researching website designers
- Key skills and experience to look for
- Questions to ask potential candidates
- How to spot red flags to avoid
- Best practices for contracts and payment terms
- Tips for maintaining a strong partnership after hiring
Whether you’re launching a new website or completing a website redesign, following these 11 tips will help you find the perfect website design partner to create something you’re proud to share with the world.
Ask Business Associates for Recommendations
Speaking with business owners who have had positive website design experiences is one of the best ways to find designers who are reliable, skilled and a pleasure to work with.
Reach out to your network
Look to your own network first – you likely know other business owners who have had websites designed in the past couple years. Ask them:
- Were they happy with their designer? A positive recommendation is a great sign. Find out what specifically they were pleased with – communication, design aesthetic, timeliness etc.
- Would they use them again? If the answer is yes, that’s reassurance you’ll likely have a positive experience as well.
- How was the overall experience? Beyond the final product, you want a designer who is communicative, easy to work with, and makes you feel like a priority. Get a sense of what the full experience was like.
Check online reviews
Beyond your immediate network, look up reviews for designers you’re considering. Here are some review sites to check:
- Google – Search “[designer name] reviews” and look through the results – both positive and negative.
- Yelp – Yelp is hit or miss for service providers, but worth looking at reviews if available.
- Facebook – Look for reviews on the designer’s Facebook page or requests for recommendations within local Facebook groups.
- Industry forums – For web and graphic designers, there are often reviews on sites like Dribbble, Behance and Reddit.
Ask for references
Any reputable designer should be able to provide references upon request. Speaking directly to past clients gives invaluable insight. Ask for 2-3 references and come prepared with questions including:
- Were you happy with the final product?
- How well did the designer understand your business and goals?
- How was the communication throughout the process?
- Was the project completed on time and within budget?
- What did you like best about working with this designer?
- What could the designer have improved upon?
- Would you recommend this designer to others? Why or why not?
Speaking to references is one of the best ways to understand what the full experience of working with a designer will actually be like. If a designer refuses to provide any references, consider that a red flag.
Vet Online Portfolios Carefully
A designer’s online portfolio showcases their skills, style and experience. When reviewing portfolios, look for these key things:
Relevant industry experience
Look for examples of past websites the designer has created for your particular industry or niche. For example, if you run a restaurant, prior restaurant website design experience is ideal.
This ensures the designer already understands your target audience, competitive landscape and unique business goals. They can hit the ground running rather than needing extensive onboarding to understand your world.
Visually appealing designs
Ultimately, design is a subjective skill. Still, a designer’s portfolio should contain sites you find visually appealing and appropriate for your brand. Look for clear layouts, easy navigation, engaging visuals and consistency.
Editor’s Note: Pay attention to how the portfolio itself is designed as well. A designer should use their own portfolio to put their skills on display.
Mobile responsiveness
With more web browsing happening on phones, a mobile-friendly responsive site is a must. Review portfolio sites on both desktop and mobile to see responsive design skills.
Variety and creativity
Look for a range of visual styles and site types rather than template-like designs. This shows creativity and ability to develop unique solutions based on different client needs.
Code quality
For more complex sites, ask to view a portfolio site’s source code. Well-formatted, valid code indicates stronger development skills. Let an experienced developer review code samples if you don’t have the technical expertise yourself.
The designer’s portfolio should get you excited about what they can create for you. If it’s underwhelming, keep looking! There are plenty of talented designers ready to jump on your project.
Pro Tip: Always evaluate the full portfolio first before reaching out to any designers. You’ll have a better sense of their skills, experience and style to know if pursuing discussions is worthwhile.
Ask Candidates Key Qualifying Questions
Once you’ve identified promising website designers through recommendations and online research, ask qualifying questions before moving forward. This gives you insight on their experience plus how they communicate early on.
Here are key questions to ask:
- How long have you been designing websites? Look for 5+ years of professional experience.
- What is your process like from initial concept to launching the site? A solid process is a good sign.
- What web design skills do you have? Look for HTML/CSS, JavaScript, hosting setup, SEO, security, integrations etc.
- What industries have you worked with? Relevant experience to your niche is great.
- How many design projects are you currently working on? Too many could mean delays or lack of focus.
- How long does a typical website project take from start to finish? Expect 1-3 months for a standard site at 5-15 pages.
- Can you provide 2-3 client references I can contact? Speaking to references is hugely insightful.
- What is your hourly rate, retainer structure or project fee? Get pricing expectations aligned early.
Pay attention not only to the answers given, but the designer’s overall communication style, professionalism and personality. Do they listen attentively? Respond promptly? Make you feel comfortable? These early interactions often set the tone for the full working relationship.
Editor’s Note: Take some pressure off video calls by letting the designer know you just have a few key questions to see if you may be a fit for each other. This takes the edge off and makes for a more natural discussion.
Have Video Chats Before Hiring
It’s always ideal to meet any service provider in person before hiring them. With website designers, that may not always be possible if they are out of state or abroad.
Video calls are the next best thing. Here are some benefits:
You can evaluate communication skills
On a call you’ll get a much better feel for the designer’s communication abilities which are crucial. Do they listen attentively? Demonstrate problem solving? Use clear language? You want someone who explains concepts and sets expectations well.
You can get a sense of working styles
Having an initial discussion creates insight on your working dynamic. Do your communication styles mesh well? Do they ask thoughtful questions? Do they maintain a friendly, professional tone? Ideally your call will leave you feeling excited to work together.
You can further establish project details
Once you have a designer you feel comfortable with, discuss additional project details during your call: timeline, milestones, content strategy, technical needs, launch plans etc. Getting aligned early prevents surprises down the road.
Don’t ignore red flags just because you “vibed” well with a designer either. Still carefully evaluate experience, portfolio and references too. Chemistry alone doesn’t guarantee a successful outcome.
Clearly Communicate Your Goals, Style Preferences and Constraints
Good designers don’t work in a vacuum. Successful website projects start withlots of upfront collaboration between client and designer.
Have detailed conversations about your:
Business goals
- What are your top priorities for the new website? Increased sales? Generating leads? Boosting brand awareness? Supporting a new product launch?
- How will you measure success once the site is live? Key performance indicators help track progress.
Audience
- Who are your primary and secondary target audiences? Demographic and psychographic details help inform design choices.
- What motivates these audiences? What keeps them up at night? Understanding emotions and pain points leads to better engagement.
Content
- What existing content do you have and what needs to be developed? An audit helps plan the content strategy.
- Who will be writing and approving new content? Content should be planned and created in parallel with design.
Style
- Share your brand style guide if you have one. This aligns visual design with brand standards.
- Browse competitor sites and other visual inspiration to identify likes and dislikes to inform aesthetic.
- Explain must-haves vs. nice-to-haves so priorities are clear.
Technical needs
- Will you need custom features or integrations? Complexity impacts timeline and cost.
- Do you have a technical stack or platform preferences? This informs technology choices.
- What is your hosting setup? Designer can ensure site will function properly.
Clearly communicating project parameters, preferences and constraints upfront sets you both up for success.
Agree on a Detailed Project Roadmap
Before design begins, its crucial to agree on a project roadmap covering all key milestones from start to finish. This gets you aligned on timeline, major deliverables, and who is responsible for what at each phase.
A roadmap should specify:
- Kickoff – Start with a kickoff call or meeting to discuss goals, target audiences, content strategy, technical needs and more.
- Concepts – The designer develops initial design concepts for review and feedback. Expect at least 2-3 rounds of revisions.
- Copywriting – Content creation and revisions happen in tandem with design.
- Approvals – The client has the chance to thoroughly review and approve all pages before development begins.
- Development – The designer builds the fully functioning site from approved designs.
- Testing – The client tests the live site for functionality, user experience, etc. Additional rounds of feedback may be needed.
- Launch – The site goes live, kicks off marketing launch plan, and designer provides post-launch support as needed.
Having agreed upon milestones makes progress clear every step of the way and gets everyone on the same page from day one. Adjust as needed but avoid major roadmap changes mid-project.
Watch for Red Flags When Evaluating Designers
While the vast majority of designers aim to do great work and build positive relationships, there are some concerning behaviors to watch out for:
They won’t provide referrals or samples
Top notch designers should be eager to share referrals and samples of past work. Lack of transparency could indicate something to hide.
They pressure you to commit quickly
Some use high pressure sales tactics get you to commit before fully evaluating options. Don’t rush into a decision – take time to thoroughly vet designers.
Vague proposals and agreements
Contracts should clearly outline project scope, specifics on what’s included, timeline, budget and terms. Lack of detail often leads to mismatched expectations.
Request for significant payment upfront
Reputable designers typically only require a smaller deposit or retainer upfront with remaining payments tied to mutually agreed upon milestones.
They lack questions about your business and goals
Good designers seek to deeply understand your business, audience and project goals early on. Lack of curiosity can result in a website missing the mark.
They make unrealistic timeline promises
While urgency is understandable, projects need proper time to do all steps well – especially if custom features are involved. Beware of guarantees that seem too good to be true.
They push you to use a specific platform
The platform should suit project goals rather than the designers predetermined preferences. There are pros and cons to different options.
While occasional hiccups with a designer relationship can be worked through, recurrent red flags are signs it may be best to part ways sooner than later.
Editor’s Note: Don’t feel pressured by a designer to commit more quickly than you are comfortable with. Trust your instincts if something feels off. There are plenty of talented designers who will respect your timeline.
Compare Options Before Making a Final Decision
Avoid going with the very first designer you speak with- even if they seem great. Take time to thoroughly research options and speak to 3-5 potential designers (or agencies/firms) before deciding.
Here’s how to compare choices:
- Keep Detailed Notes: Use a spreadsheet or tracker to log notes, pros/cons, pricing, and initial impressions for each designer you speak with. This keeps info organized as you evaluate options.
- Evaluate Fit: Which designers had relevant experience and portfolio samples? Did communication styles mesh well? Who seemed most interested in your project and goals?
- Assess Pricing: Compare each quote line by line. How did proposed rates and project pricing compare? Were there major discrepancies or align closely?
- Check References: Speaking to past clients gives great insight. How did reference calls go? Any recurring positives or red flags?
- Trust Your Gut: Beyond rational facts, which designer just feels like the right fit? Building rapport can help navigate bumps in a long project.
Give yourself time for this diligent process – never feel rushed into selecting. The right designer is worth it! Shortcutting research often leads to regret later on.
Negotiate Contracts Carefully
Before official hiring, carefully review contracts and negotiate any areas for improvement. Don’t gloss over the fine print! Be sure the agreement accurately reflects the full scope of work, payment terms, timeline, and other expectations.
Key elements the contract should include:
- Clearly defined scope of work detailing all deliverables.
- Payment amounts, invoice schedule, and refund policies for unfinished work.
- Detailed project timeline with major milestones and target completion date.
- Process for providing and responding to feedback/requested changes.
- Terms regarding ownership and use of final deliverables.
- Contingency plans for what occurs if either party terminates early.
- Any legal liability and confidentiality details.
Don’t feel shy about proposing additions or modifications to contracts as needed. Good designers expect a thorough review and open discussion. After signing, each party should retain copies of the final agreement.
Maintain Strong Communication Throughout the Project
After officially hiring your designer, project success depends heavily on maintaining excellent communication throughout the full website development process.
Here are some communication best practices:
- Agree on cadence of meetings/calls based on project length and depth. Set recurring times to touch base.
- Respond promptly to any questions or requests for feedback. Lags create delays.
- Provide thoughtful feedback explaining what you like about designs, areas for improvement, and why.
- Share new information ASAP if anything changes with business goals, content, technical needs etc.
- Bring up concerns quickly so they can be addressed early vs. letting issues escalate.
- Show appreciation for hard work and creative ideas that hit the mark. Positive reinforcement goes a long way!
- Stay solution oriented if any disagreements come up. Focus on finding a path forward.
- Be understanding of reasonable delays or setbacks. Website projects are complex.
- Have fun! Personality and humor can help build camaraderie with your designer.
Fostering trust, transparency and teamwork makes the full website design process smoother and more enjoyable for everyone involved.
Editor’s Note: Having an agreed upon system for version control can streamline feedback. Platforms like Basecamp let you organize project files, leave comments on specific designs, and track progress.
Prepare for Launch and Post-Launch Support
The finish line is almost here – your new site is ready to go live! First, finalize these launch preparations:
- Perform thorough testing on the live site before public reveal.
- Create 301 redirects from old site pages to relevant new pages.
- Update site with latest content, images, pricing etc.
- Turn on Google Analytics and integrate other marketing tags.
- Point your domain to the new site’s server when ready.
- Add a simple “Coming Soon” page while making final tweaks behind the scenes.
When officially launching, communicate it internally, send announcement emails, push social media posts, and execute any PR plans.
Post-launch, your designer should provide a short window of additional support for items like:
- Fixing launch bugs.
- Making small content/design tweaks.
- Assisting with search engine indexing.
- Helping implement site search or integrations.
- Answering quick questions as you get accustomed to the new site.
Finding the right partner takes diligence – but the payoff of an expertly crafted website visitors love is worth it. Now you’re ready to kickstart your search! Wishing you much success ahead.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much should a website design cost?
Costs vary greatly based on project size, custom features and geographic location of the designer. Smaller simple sites may run $2,000 – $4,000. E-commerce sites often range from $6,000 – $15,000+. Custom enterprise sites get even more complex and expensive. Definitely get multiple quotes.
What is the typical website design timeline?
Most standard 5-15 page sites take 1-3 months from start to finish. Very complex sites with custom builds can take 4-8 months. Avoid anyone promising unrealistically fast timelines for quality work. Building in buffer time is wise.
Should I work with a freelancer, agency or development firm?
All have pros and cons. Freelancers offer direct relationships and are often more affordable. Agencies provide larger teams and expertise. Dev firms are great for complex builds. There are standouts in every category – evaluate specific designers rather than only type.
What technical must-haves should I request?
Mobile responsiveness, ADA compliance, fast load speeds, easy CMS for updates, contact forms, SEO best practices, analytics integration, and SSL security certificates are just a few key items that all sites need nowadays.
What red flags should I watch out for?
Designer seems inattentive to your goals, pushes you to use a specific platform, asks for full payment upfront, proposes very vague contracts, resists providing references, makes unrealistic timeline promises or pressures you to commit quickly before fully evaluating them.
How can I prepare content ahead of time?
Start brainstorming topics, outline pages, create content calendars, draft initial pieces for key pages, consolidate existing content from old site, identify gaps that need freelance writers, and organize everything in a shared content drive to provide the designer access.
The more content prepared in advance, the smoother the build process will go!
Conclusion
Selecting the perfect website designer is a big decision – your digital presence impacts how potential customers perceive your brand. Through careful research, comparison and vetting, you can find an ideal partner to bring your vision to life.
Define your goals clearly, evaluate portfolios rigorously, and don’t rush the selection process. Pay close attention during initial communications to identify designers who listen attentively, communicate professionally, and want to deeply understand your business and audience.
Building rapport and trust from day one helps navigate the inevitable creative debates and project challenges in a solutions-oriented manner. Invest the time upfront to set your project up for success. And don’t be shy about asking designers lots of questions to determine fit!
The right designer-client relationship can evolve into a trusted partnership over many years and projects. Here’s to finding the perfect match to create a website that expertly achieves your online goals! Wishing you great success connecting with your ideal audience.
