If you’re planning to build a new website or redesign your existing one, it’s imperative that you hire skilled and experienced web designers. Doing so guarantees you a professional-looking website that you can use to attract traffic, keep your site visitors engaged, and generate qualified leads.
Before hiring a web designer, it’s essential to prepare a list of questions to help you know whether or not you’re hiring the right people. By asking questions, you get a glimpse of what your website will look like. In other words, who you choose to work with determines the end product, so it’s an important decision you need to think about.
Your website is one of your most valuable marketing channels, so it’s just right to be very careful during the selection process. To help you out, we’ve outlined some of the questions to ask a website designer before you hire them. Here’s what to ask your web designer to ensure the best website for your business.
What Do Web Designers Do?
Before we head on to the list of what to ask your web designer before hiring, let’s first discuss the role of web designers to understand the scope of their work better.
Web designers, as the name implies, are responsible for designing web pages. They have an extensive understanding of the things that need to be taken into consideration when designing web pages. They’re responsible for creating the visual elements of websites and meeting with clients online and in person to determine the message that needs to be conveyed on the website.
After determining the details, they create layouts, designs, and features that present the client’s services in an appealing way to their target audience.
Questions to Ask A Website Designer
Here’s what to ask your web designer before hiring them:
1. What is your research process?
To be successful in branding and website design, designers must first research your industry and business to understand your market. For this reason, it’s essential to work with someone who understands your audience. Your business’s growth and success depend on your customers, prospects, partners, and suppliers. Your marketing strategy, including your website, should be based on them.
Although any designer can design a website for a business, it is important to ask them if they are experts in your industry or niche or have worked with other brands in the same industry. Doing so allows you and your designer to focus on the brand story, content writing, and best practices to boost your online presence and emerge as an authority in your field.
These are important points to be aware of when choosing and hiring a web designer. You should hire someone who can explain in detail all the intricacies of your business.
2. Will you review my existing website?
Ask your potential web designer if they’re going to review your existing website. It’s a red flag if they refuse to or say that they don’t have to. Reliable designers will check your existing website to see your history, progress, and future goals before they can strategize for a website rebrand/rebuild. They will conduct an audit to assess every website element that needs improvement.
If, in case, you only need a few changes to make your website a robust one, a designer who is truly interested in helping you will not convince you to create a new site.
3. Do you provide digital marketing services other than web design?
Many web designers offer additional services that your company may require. Ask them about the services they offer or tell them what you need. If they have ample experience in graphic design, logo design, content writing, SEO strategies, and marketing, they can surely build a website that generates leads. Keep in mind that your website should be a marketing machine, not just an aesthetic site that no one visits.
4. Will I have a project manager or one contact person?
While it’s efficient to work with an entire team of website designers, communicating with each one of them can sometimes take time and slow the process. For this reason, it’s essential to ask them about who your central point of contact will be. This person should be the one responsible for answering your questions regarding design updates and website launch.
5. What is your design process?
Ask your web designer whether they have a documented design process, also called SOP (standard operating procedure), or whether they use project management software. If they do, it is a sign that they have extensive experience in web design and development. Your designer should take charge of the entire process. That is why you hired them.
6. How long will it take you to design and build my website?
Based on the content you have and still need, a web designer should be able to give you a timeframe for your website. Ask them to make sure that the timeline meets your needs. It’s important to clearly communicate the deadline for the project and to always read the contract. Some companies may charge late fees if the deadline is not met. Whenever needed, allow for extra time to address unexpected problems or changes.
7. Do you have a portfolio I can look into?
Many web design companies showcase their work online. You should take a look at the work they provided their previous clients. Pay attention to the user experience and design styles. Are their designs appealing? Are they purposeful? You may only see a few of the featured projects on their website. If you would like to see more, feel free to ask them.
8. Will you integrate my marketing strategies?
Your website should be your most important and profitable marketing channel. To that end, it’s essential to ask your potential web designer these questions:
- How will my website convert visitors to leads and increase sales?
- What strategies will you use?
- Can you help me integrate and develop my marketing strategy?
Invest in Top-Notch Web Design Services
Some of the benefits of hiring a web designer include improved branding, enhanced credibility, and increased dwell time. You can only get these things when you work with reliable and trusted web designers.
At Advanced Digital Media Services, we offer top-notch web design services. We have a team of skilled designers and developers who can build you a website that conveys your message to your target audience.
Our team focuses on aesthetics, security, and user experience, so you are guaranteed a professional-looking, purposeful website when you invest in our services. We also offer Cleveland SEO and content creation services, so we have you covered for all your needs.
Feel free to contact us if you have other questions from your list of what to ask a web designer. Give us a call today, so we can start helping you grow your business through exceptional web design services.
