The web design industry is huge – and growing. It’s been predicted that revenue from web design will grow by 4 percent per year between 2014 and 2019.
There are plenty of web designers out there to choose from. But when you hire a web designer, how can you know that you’re hiring the right person for the job?
As with any industry, not all web designers are created equal. There are some common pitfalls that must be avoided when you hire a web designer.
We’ve put together 5 of the most common mistakes that can occur in the hiring process. Read on to find out how to find the perfect web designer and avoid the hassle of these mistakes.
1. Not Paying Enough
Surprisingly, paying too little for web design is one of the most common problems people run into.
It makes sense that you want to save money and run your business as cheaply as possible. However, there are some areas where you just can’t cut corners, and web design is one of them.
If a deal sounds too good to be true, it probably is. The best designers aren’t going to build a site for just a few hundred bucks. You may think you’re saving money, but you’ll end up spending more in the long run to fix this mistake.
Spending more to build a great website up front will pay off quickly. You’ll get more customers, rank higher in Google searches, and be seen as a more trustworthy business when you have a great site.
Even worse, cheap web designers are often scams. They might take your money, do shoddy work (or none at all), and then disappear forever. Use your money wisely and pay a good designer what they’re worth to do great work.
2. Paying Too Much
Paying too much is also a common pitfall, although it may be less dangerous than paying too little.
You should spend what it takes to get a great site. However, there are those designers out there who will try to get you to pay extra to get the job done.
Web design can seem complex, but it’s not magic. Designers are simply using CSS and HTML coding to build an attractive, easy-to-use site. There is no magic coding dust that costs thousands of dollars extra.
Don’t let designers and design firms trick you into believing the work is more complicated than it is. It’s safest to shop around so you can get an idea of what web design typically costs. If a designer is charging much more (or much less) than the usual, be wary.
3. Hiring a Huge Firm
Massive design firms tend to offer low-priced design work that isn’t worth it – which is the first mistake on this list.
These big firms might promise a cheap site, but they won’t deliver what you really want. Most of the time, they make a profit by building lots of basic sites using a template with just a few changes, like the color scheme.
These companies can also make it difficult to get edits or changes made. They’re designed to be impersonal – they make a profit with quantity, not quality. Instead, a smaller firm or individual designer will give you the unique site you were hoping for.
4. Not Factoring in Maintenance
It may sound surprising, but there’s more to web design than just designing the site.
Your site is not a static item. It needs to be maintained, updated, edited and changed from time to time. You’ll need to make sure your web design budget includes room for maintenance, and that you hire a web designer who will be able to assist you once the initial site building is complete.
Make sure to ask your web developer how they charge for these services. They might have an hourly rate or a maintenance package they can offer.
Although it’s possible to get someone else to do your maintenance, it’s easiest if you can work with the person who built the site. They have all the knowledge they need to give you the best results.
If you don’t maintain and update your site regularly, it will eventually stop working. Much like a car that needs oil changes and tire rotations, your website needs some basic, regular work in order to function.
A few of the basic maintenance items you’ll need to plan for include backing up your site, updating your plugin licenses, and completing necessary security updates. You should also make sure to a developer who is available over phone or email if unexpected problems arise.
There is simply no site that can be designed to run without maintenance. From routine backups to protection against hackers, a functional website needs regular minor work. Not only that but if your security is breached or you accidentally make a mistake on your site, you need to know that it can be fixed right away.
5. Lack of SEO Knowledge
Today, things like search engine optimization and digital marketing go hand in hand with web design.
You need to hire a web designer who has more knowledge than just coding. Does your designer know how to optimize content for Google rankings? Do they know how social media marketing works?
If they lack essential knowledge like this, they aren’t at the cutting edge of the industry. You need someone who can give you a site that’s designed to attract the most business. Without SEO, your site may be beautiful, but it will end up buried in some distant Google page.
Ready to Hire a Web Designer?
No matter what kind of business you’re in, a great website is essential for staying competitive.
From e-commerce sites to brick-and-mortar stores, your site helps customers find out about your business, learn about your products or services, and evaluate how legitimate you are.
In order to have the kind of site that will bring customers in, you need to hire a web designer who can do the job right. Luckily, there are many web developers out there who have what you need.
When you’re ready to hire a great web designer for the job, get in touch with us. We have the expertise to help you through every step of the web design process.
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