How to Choose a Web Designer

Are you thinking about starting a new website, or re-designing an existing website? This can be a daunting task at first, so we are going to go over some tips to help you make this easier.

One of the first things you should consider is which web designer or web design company to choose, and which skills that web designer should possess.

Browsing through online portfolios of custom web design companies is a great place to start, but first think about what you want your website to look like and what features you want it to include, as well as how it should function.

Some points to consider:

• Will you be using a content management system (CMS) such as WordPress, Joomla or Drupal?
• What style of design do you want for your website?
• When do you need the project to be completed?
• What is your budget?

The next thing you should think about is how complex your website will be, and how qualified the designer or web design company you choose needs to be.

The world of web designers grows every day, and with that growth, so grows your options as a customer. Check into the latest web design trends and technologies to see if there are some new options that your project can benefit from. Browse some other CSS Galleries to get ideas and inspiration.

Although the vast majority of web designers are honest and hard working people, there are some things to watch out for to make sure your experience is a good one. There are some phony designers who might make bold claims but who are simply amateurs that will over promise and over charge but inevitably they will under deliver or drag your project out for a very long time. Another concern is that there are many designers who claim to be qualified in areas that they only have minimal knowledge on. Choose your web designer carefully and voice these problems by checking their portfolio thoroughly.

Make sure you can verify that the work presented in their portfolio was actually done by them. Get some referrals or simply contact some of the site owners from their portfolio, ask how their experience was working with the designer.

Make sure that the communication lines will be open at all times. Communication with your designer is critical when you are starting a new website. This can be through phone calls, instant messaging or email – just make sure you get acceptable response times.

Choosing a web designer is something that will always be a bit risky, but there are ways to minimize the risk. Confusion and frustration will be avoided if you spend some time planning first so that you can describe clearly what you desire out of your website and show appreciation for the hard work of your designer. Website design is a special skill and it should be appreciated.

Just keep these simple ideas in your mind when choosing a web designer, and you should be on your way to starting a successful website.