"Ten Tips to Finding the Right Web Designer"

By Rebecca White

Website designers come in all shapes and forms.  Below are a few suggestions when you are searching for a company that will meet your needs.

1. A company that has an excellent customer rating.  

The best way to do this is to read their online testimonials and contact those    people who have written the testimonials for their honest opinion.   I hate to say this but I have had clients run across people who put false testimonies on their websites in order to gain more customer respect.

2. A company that works with you during the entire process, as well as communication after the project is completed. 

For instance:

Keeping you the client in mind with the design features

Offer any suggestions they may have that will help your website run more efficiently.

So many times I have seen where once a website is built the company has no time to answer past clients questions about their website.

3. A company that explains what comes with their website design package and if they will purchase a domain name and web hosting on your account and do all the hands on operations of your site from start to end. 

This is best if you are not comfortable with dealing with these items yourself and the thought of purchasing the right web hosting intimidates you.

4. A company that offers one on one phone consultations.

This is helpful so they can explain what they need from you in the beginning, and they hear your thoughts on how you want your website to look like and a company who is willing to share with you other options that they may know of to suit your current needs.

5. Screen shots of your website as its being built so you the client are still able to have a part in the design process. 

Remember this is your website; you have to be able to feel free to talk to the web designer about what you want.

6. A company that will contact you should a need arise that you need more pages added to your website for better organization BEFORE they create and bill you for that service.

7. A company that has their office hours and contact information on their website and what their response time is, this way should a problem occur with your website you know that it will be taken care of in a timely manner. 

8. A company that states on their site the policies of refunds and deposits they requite before you make a commitment to their services.

9. A company that shows its basic website fees up front so you know what you are getting for your money. 

Even if a company states what the basic fees are be sure to read all fine print for additional services and fees that may apply. 

For instance:

Are additional pages extra? 

Will they work with you in a timely manner after the project is completed should you run into a problem or need an update done right away? 

Is there a fee for updates done to your website and what do they perceive as an update? 

Is there a charge should you decide that you want to redo the entire site?  What is that charge per page or per hour?

Do they charge extra for a rush job?

10.  Have the ability to outsource a project should a need arise to another website designer they trust and respect and/or are partnered with. 

The above are just a few of the items to look for in a website designer. When you first start looking for a website designer ask people you know either online or offline who they used to create their website.  Ask them what they liked best about the service and what they liked least about the service?  Would they recommend you going to that company?  

Visit several websites and email them for a written proposal on their services.  Be sure to include everything you want on your website, what you sell, what time frame you are looking at having your website built, do you need a shopping cart, your budget, and if you need them to set up a domain and web hosting for them.  Be sure to include everything you need done so they are better able to give you a price quote.

Above all else talk to the website designer on the phone. 

Set up a time you can talk to the website designer.  The best way to know someone is by talking to them on the phone.  You can hear their enthusiasm for their work, hear what they have to say and give them a chance for you the “future” client to tell them your wants and needs.

Rebecca White is the CEO of Advantage Marketing 4 U.  Advantage Marketing 4 U offers website design, graphic work, and web site services: such as checking link exchanges to be sure your link is on the site that you traded with and writing ads for your company.  Advantage Marketing 4 U offers excellent customer service, constant communication before, during and after all services as well as is partnered with several other designers should the need arise for outsourcing.  To contact Rebecca for her services please visit her today at http://www.advantagemarketing4u.com