Toolkit: Finding a web designer

Phil H · Posted: 24th May, 2007 7:56 am UTC Post subject: Toolkit: Finding a web designer

Marketing & PR. Getting customers and keeping them without breaking the bank. (2007) Philip R Holden and Nick Wilde. London, A&C Black.

Toolkit: Finding a web designer

Web designers abound these days, but you need one who understands the functionality required by your website (see Toolkit: Putting together a website). It’s not enough that they can make a pretty web page or have animations zipping around. Nor is it so important that they understand your business; you’re the expert in that and you should be able to tell them everything they need to know. Be honest with them about what you want to achieve (and your annual budget) and show them your ideas (however rough) and other sites you like.

If you see a website that looks as if it does what you want, you can often find out who designed it – there may even be a link to their website (and they must have one, for obvious reasons). If you can, speak to the owner of the website too, even if they are in the same business as you. Were they happy with the work? What problems arose? Who maintains it and how easy is that process?

Visit a number of designers (ironically it’s best to see them face to face) and be honest with them about what you want to achieve and how much you have to spend to get a fully functioning website. You’ll also need to discuss with them ongoing costs of maintenance; if your website is to remain fresh and worth visiting time after time, it will need to be updated frequently – ideally every day!

Finally, don’t be sold to. You’re the client and you decide what you want and how much you can pay for it. There are people out there who will promise the earth, but they can’t deliver. If they say you can pay for a revolutionary website by selling advertising, don’t believe them. Besides, you’re not in the business of selling advertising … are you?

Of course you can do the whole website yourself, but remember what business you’re in. An investment of a few hundred pounds may be better than spending days and days (and nights) getting it wrong. Besides, as the customer, you can be demanding. But a word of caution; it’s impossible to specify a website down to the last pixel and things can get misunderstood. A good working relationship with the designer is invaluable, so practise asking this question: ‘It’s not going to cost me more to do that, is it?’

There is a UK Web Designers Association (www.ukwda.org/) and you can search its site for members. As it adheres to a code of conduct, it’s a reasonably safe place to start. There are many other lists such as www.web-design-directory-uk.co.uk which give you designers in your region, but often a bit of research and recommendation (not from the web designer’s mother) is all it takes.

Now, please post your comments and experience. If you're planning a website for the first time, what is your experience?

(c) 2007 Philip R Holden & Nick Wilde