How to choose the right Website Designer to hire
If you are like most business owners, you know that having a website is essential in today's digital age. Your website is your home online and the first impression most potential clients get of your business and brand.
But what you may not know is that hiring the right website designer is just as important as having a website at all. A professionally designed website can set your business apart from your competition and help you reach your target audience.
In this blog post, we will discuss what to look for in a website designer and how to make sure you choose the right person to partner with for your business. We'll also look at some of the benefits of having a professionally designed website.
What to Look for in a Website Designer
If you're considering hiring a website designer for a new website or to redesign your existing site, there are a few things I'm going to encourage you to consider first...
Now, let's put this into perspective, shall we? Your website is way more than just an online business card - it's one of the most common places where potential customers come to get to know you, build trust, and ultimately take the step to work with you...
So, if you want to make sure your website achieves these goals, you're going to need to partner with a website designer who can help you create an effective website based on solid strategy, not just pretty aesthetics!
One of the first steps is to ensure that the website designer you choose is experienced and has good references from previous clients.
You'll also want to make sure that their style and aesthetics fit with what you are looking for. It’s a good idea to take a look at their portfolio and consider their process to make sure it aligns with what you are looking for. If you’re looking for a fast turnaround and streamlined system, you’ll likely want to avoid a long, drawn-out custom project. And vice versa, if you’re looking for close collaboration and bespoke design, then a shorter more productized service wouldn’t be the right fit.
Finding a website designer with experience in your industry is also a plus, but not a hard requirement! It will give them an idea of what will work best for you and your website and can shortcut some of their research time if they’re already familiar with your industry.
How to Choose the Right Website Designer
Now, I know what you're thinking... deciding to hire a website designer is a big investment!!
And yes, I'm not going to shy away from the fact that you will need to invest in your website to see major results - either by investing a whole ton of your time to learn about design, systems, tech, SEO ect... or by hiring a professional to do that work for you.
But the return on that investment can also be huge - not only in terms of increased traffic, inquiries and booked clients but also in terms of your marketing efforts, sales processes and overall brand equity in your industry.
So, here are a few things to keep in mind when you're trying to decide on who will be designing and developing your website:
✅ Experience - Make sure the designer has experience with website design. You want someone who knows what they are doing, not just someone that thinks they can figure it out as they go along.
✅ Portfolio - Take a look at their portfolio and body of work to ensure their style aligns with what you envision for your website.
✅ Platform - If you already know which website platform you want your website to be built on, like Squarespace, definitely make sure your candidates have experience with that platform
✅ Process - Make sure their website development process aligns with what you are looking for. You want someone who can understand your needs and implement them into the website design.
✅ Personality - You’ll want to make sure you’re partnering with someone you can communicate easily with and who will “get” what you’re all about so they can communicate that properly through your website.
What are the Benefits of a Professionally Designed Website?
A business website is no longer just an online business card; it's a place where potential customers come to learn, build trust, and purchase. If you want to make sure your website achieves these goals, you’ll need a website designer who can help you create an effective, strategic website.
Some of the benefits of having a professionally designed website include:
Increased Traffic - A well-designed website will help you achieve higher search engine rankings and increased traffic.
Improved User Experience - Your website designer won't just make you a beautiful website but one that also functions properly. Providing your visitors with a great user experience isn't just about the colors and fonts used; there are also many strategies that go into it. Check out this blog post to learn more about how web design affects user experience.
Increased Conversion Rates - A website that is designed to convert will help you turn website visitors into clients, and into a better bottom line for your business.
Greater Brand Visibility - Having a website that accurately represents your brand and who you are as a business will give you greater brand visibility and attract your right-flit clients.
And finally, one of the biggest benefits of having a professionally-designed website is that you will finally feel confident sharing your website. Imagine how you’ll feel when marketing your services or directing people to your website content when you know they’ll be landing on your stunning AND strategically optimized website that’s designed to convert. No more website shame!
Final Thoughts
So, there you have it! Everything you need to know about hiring a website designer and what to look for. Keep these things in mind while you are searching, and you’ll be sure to find the perfect website designer for you and your business.
