How To Choose The Right Web Designer
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Wondering how to get your projects started without paying too much and having the right quality you need?You are the one who decides to get your own website and hire a professional web designer. The question is, do you really need to hire or not? A simple Google search result for California Web Designer for example returns around 58 million search results, ranging from small individual freelancers to big time web design companies in and outside of California or maybe international. So how do you find the right web designer for your particular website needs?
Where to look for a good website designer?
Does the person or company creating your website have to be in your area? Not necessarily as almost everything these days can be done online. However, if you don't live in the middle of nowhere you will certainly have more than enough web professionals in your neighborhood, so why not use somebody locally?
By searching Google online can certainly be a good place to start. The first obvious thing to do would be to search for California Web Design Freelancer or make it more broad like San Diego Web Designer or Orange County Web Designer for instance. Of course you want to replace the 'keyword' with your own city, but unless you want to end up with hundreds of huge nationwide companies beyond your budget, you really want to narrow down your search to a local area.
Don't limit your search to the 'paid advertising' results on top and on the right side of Google's search result page! These companies are showing up there because they spend lots of money for advertising, not necessarily because they are so good that Google would put them on the front page. However, the first 'organic' search results in the middle of Google's front page do appear in the first positions because Google deems them to be valuable or popular websites. So look through the first or second or third page and click on a couple of web designers you find interesting.
So while you are browsing different web design websites, try to collect as much information you will need that would suit your requirements.
Here's some check list on how to select a web designer:
- Do you see the designer's own professional background?
- Do they list their portfolio so you can find out more about their work?
- Is their site easy to navigate?
- Do you like their style?
- Do you like how their copy reads and is it to the point?
- Are all pages accessible without broken links or missing pictures?
- Does it have annoying features like slow loading flash movies?
- Will they do the work in a reasonable time frame?
- Have they developed websites for other businesses in your industry or area? If so, did they reflect the business properly?
- Are they willing to give you a free detailed quote for a fixed price?
- And, last by most importantly: Do they have experience in Search Engine Optimization and proven records of designed websites ranking on first positions on Google and Yahoo?
- Does their site offer testimonials and can you contact these other website owners for a reference?
Keep in mind of the people you may encounter online. Be aware of companies and individuals who claim to be web designers or developers but don't show their background, references, portfolio or past work. Almost every one these days is able to use web design software, but this alone does not make him a good web designer.
What to choose? Freelancer or a Professional Web Design Company?
So when you finally decided what you want for your site after a deeper evaluation, you may need to choose between a Freelancer, or a Web Design company. With a freelancer, there are rarely any hidden fees or contracts to overcome before the project can begin. Freelancers may also be more readily available. If your website needs future support or maintenance however, make sure to contract with a company who is around for a while and will have enough manpower in the future.
When you have done your 'homework' as per the checklist above, you should be able to filter out the ones who best fit your needs, so finally all you have left is to find out what they charge and whether this is in your budget.
If you are looking to learn more about web design and how to get to make your website rank well on search engines, you can visit our website California Web Design and get some tips and quotes.
What to choose? Freelancer or a Professional Web Design Company?
So when you finally decided what you want for your site after a deeper evaluation, you may need to choose between a Freelancer, or a Web Design company. With a freelancer, there are rarely any hidden fees or contracts to overcome before the project can begin. Freelancers may also be more readily available. If your website needs future support or maintenance however, make sure to contract with a company who is around for a while and will have enough manpower in the future.
When you have done your 'homework' as per the checklist above, you should be able to filter out the ones who best fit your needs, so finally all you have left is to find out what they charge and whether this is in your budget.
If you are looking to learn more about web design and how to get to make your website rank well on search engines, you can visit our website California Web Design and get some tips and quotes.
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