A web designer should be someone that designs websites for a living. Not a person that likes to play on the computer or has set up a blog or two. From professional experience to the ability to understand search engines and create the message that the company is sending, designers should be able to provide samples. This is commonly known as their portfolio , so that prospective clients can view their work. This is a good form of advertising for the web designer, as well as a tool for the client to ensure that the workmanship and quality are what they are looking for. THE BEST THINGS TO LOOK FOR IN WEB DESIGN A website is another tool by which companies and individuals alike can bring their services, products, or specialties to the marketplace. While this awesome way of doing business is no longer relatively new, it has grown into a very profitable companion to many brick-and-mortar stores. Some websites are strictly online. Others have both a storefront and an online delivery method as well. It really does not matter what the purpose of the site is or even what the company wishes to deliver. However, what does matter is how it is delivered to the public. A website, just like a retail store, is the face of the business, meaning that what people see creates their first impression. All companies hope for a good impression. However, it is more than just hoping; it should be about ensuring it instead! A WEB DESIGNER CAN CREATE IMPRESSIONS A good web designer can build a site that is impressive, delivers the correct message, and is easy for visitors to maneuver. This makes visitors, customers, and prospects feel good about the service that they are requesting, because things work correctly for them. Just as if an individual went into a retail store and all of the jeans were in different places throughout the store and if the sizes were in a jumbled mess, they would become frustrated as well as consider the store a poor operation. They might not ever seek the services of that store again, which can hurt retail sales greatly! The same stands true for a poorly designed website, one that is not organized well or does not deliver what it is supposed to. Remember, consumers are spending their hard-earned money and they want to feel that the company is an expert in whatever field they are shopping, so if the website is of poor quality, they will likely assume the same about the products or services. If you’d like to speak with a web design specialist before reading on, feel free to contact me at 240-547-9959 A GOOD WEB DESIGN ADDRESSES THE CORE FUNCTIONS A typical website is one that is made up of images, text, and information that caters to those searching for a particular product or service. In order to deliver those results, it is a complex combination of many things. A good web designer is more than a person that knows how to make a webpage look good; they are skilled individuals that are able to take those creative ideas and build a well-organized website to meet the mission of the business. While there are a number of things that could be considered when searching for a good web designer, it is advisable to look at the core functions of what a good website should be. - Usability & Visitor Friendly In order to obtain a user-friendly site, a web designer must first organize the site as well as the content. Without organization, it can be quite difficult to find one’s way around a site. This is important since information is the reason that most people visit websites. That is the absolute beauty of the internet; information is right there at consumers’ fingertips. Make sure during the review of the designers’ portfolio that the flow and organization of other sites that they have created are well organized and flow appropriately. Other factors in a site’s ability to be user-friendly are the navigation system that links properly and works without fail. Web users become very distracted and frustrated when they click the navigation bar only to find that the link is broken or takes them to a completely different area! The reliability of a website is extremely important as well. The site should be properly structured so that it loads correctly, every time and does not make a user sit there waiting for too long. - The Appearance A website must look good, provide good graphics, and have a pleasing color scheme to catch the eye and hold the attention of visitors. Remember, this is the first impression given to a visitor, so it must be a good one. The web designer should be one that is creative and has a flair for delivering an aesthetically pleasing site, which also accommodates or matches the theme of the brand . For example, the appearance could be compared to a catchy slogan that businesses are associated with. Remember to also take the advice of the web designer for appearance suggestions because they are well versed in how sites work, as well as the impression that they give. WHAT A WEB DESIGNER SHOULD NEVER PROMISE Web designers can build a grand site, achieve all their goals, and make it look professional all at the same time. There are, however, some limitations to what any designer can do, regardless of their experience, portfolio, or references. These are things that are out of their control, such as internet ranking, and that is one promise that is sometimes “guaranteed” by designers. While they can optimize the site for a good ranking, they cannot guarantee that the site will be in the top rankings. These designers do this so that they can establish themselves as higher authorities or experts in the hopes of gaining business! WHAT TO LOOK FOR IN A WEB DESIGNER’S PORTFOLIO Looking at a portfolio to choose a web designer is a good way to narrow one’s search. It is, however, more than just a few pages that look good. There are a number of other things to look for and consider. This is especially true for those individuals or sites that have the same design in their portfolio. The only changes are a couple of the graphics, colors, and business name. Since not every business wants the same design or look it is important to find a professional that can create unique sites based on ideas, not changing up a template. Almost anyone can build a website, but can they design? When looking at a web designer’s portfolio, ensure that all their work is well organized and presented in a logical manner. In other words, are things laid out in such a manner that the average person would be able to maneuver and find them? The site needs to have a good flow to it as well as every single page, with no exception. Make sure that all links, text boxes, and advertisements work on their sample sites. Those broken links or faulty workings can lead visitors away because of the hassle. If you would stay on the site and think it was a good one, then the designer did a good job. Otherwise, look elsewhere. If you’d like to speak with a web design specialist before reading on, feel free to contact me at 240-547-9959 GUIDE TO SOURCING WEB DESIGNERS The ability to source or hire a good web designer comes through understanding and having an idea of what is involved. Not only are there many decisions involved in the building of a site, but many technical aspects as well. In order for both the designer and client to be able to come to a good grasp of the type of site that is needed, it is a good idea to learn a little more about how it works. It is difficult to communicate effectively with the designer if there is a lack of knowledge. For that reason, this article will detail a few pieces of information that are good to take to the table or interview. DIFFERENT TYPES OF SITES There are different types of sites; they range in size as well as fundamental functioning. The need for size generally comes from the type of business and the goals for the company. For those looking to display an online advertisement, a landing page might work best. This type of site generally consists of a single page that is comparable to a flyer. The cost for the landing page ranges, but is generally very affordable. A business/corporate site is a larger site that may consist of 4 or 5 pages. Along with information the site may contain graphics and other user friendly tools. These sites are more in depth and can arrange from hundreds to thousands depending on what the client desires. Ecommerce Sites – A Topic Of Their Own An Ecommerce site is one that is designed like an online shop or store. It might provide catalogue ordering of thousands of products to look choose from. Most of these sites are very intense, because of the many categories, carts, check out process and payment handling. Web designers must have a good background to develop this type of site, because development for the ecommerce site can be great to say the least! Now, some Ecommerce sites are huge while others only offer a few products, so this should be discussed with the designer during the interview process. CHOOSING BETWEEN STATIC & DYNAMIC SITES A dynamic site is one that is interactive and has information that changes on a consistent basis. These sites allow the company or owner to provide news, messages or product updates and upload to the site. A static site on the other hand is one that does not change, for example a company page that details contact information, mission or history of the company. Most sites are dynamic; however knowing the difference can help more effective communication with the web designer. THE IMPORTANCE OF WEB DESIGNERS’ PRIORITIES As with any profession, individuals often overlook some things and spend too much time on other things, no matter how good they are at their job. Now, a good team of builders that works with one another to ensure that a website is complete might forego these issues. However, when searching for a web designer or team to complete a website, one should also question their priorities as well as feelings about issues involving function and marketing. It can make a world of difference, and here are the reasons why. - Form Versus Function Both the form and the function of the website are very important. If they are not working hand in hand, then the site is not running at optimal capacity. The form of the site is the basic workings of the website, how it is designed, displays text, graphics and other contents. These things are very technical as the computer works off of an entire different language. These programming languages range from every task that the computer runs to the ability to display images and other media such as videos. The web designer commonly gets caught up in these aspects, with good reason, because they are the overall site. However, if they leave out the function, it can prove detrimental to the business owner. The functioning of the site is how it displays information, products, or other issues on the web. This is primarily through marketing that is integrated into the site. It might be through keyword driven articles, affiliate marketing or banner links to other sites, however those need to be there. After all the site can be the most professional and properly site designed, but if consumers cannot find it, what good is it? - Integrating A Good Balance Some believe that function follows form and vice versa, but this is not always true. Even when a site owner pours hundreds of dollars into the site after it is designed, it can still not receive the attention or visitors that it needs because the creativity of the design has cost some of the ability to market the site. A good way to achieve a healthy balance is to ensure that the web designer understand how important the marketing embedded into the entire site truly is. Ask them if they combine the two and specifically ask how, what they do to bring that balance. This is a good way to learn more about their thoughts as well as determine where priorities rest. FINDING THE BEST WEB DESIGNER AVAILABLE Building a website is a big job and something that should not be done haphazardly or without the correct knowledge and tools. The site will likely have problems ranging from minor issues to full blown glitches, if the designer is not professional or does not have a good understanding. Now that puts more pressure on those that are looking for a good web designer, but it is truly in their best interest to ensure that their choice is one of knowledge and professionalism. - Basic Site Knowledge Might sound too obvious, but a good web designer is someone that has a good understanding of the inner working of the web. Now the next question may come with how to find out that information. Most website designers have their basic experience and knowledge listed; however, speaking with them is a good way to find out more about their true understanding of building a website and all that goes into it. Don’t be afraid to ask questions, ask about images and how they determine the graphics ratio for page loading time. - Personally Test It Out While interviewing web designers or firms, ask for active websites or references that will speak to you about their current site and experience. Another way to obtain this information is to do a basic search engine search for the company or designer in question, find jobs that they have completed. Contact these individuals to ask them about their website and any concerns, complaints, or issues that they have had or are currently experiencing with the designer’s workmanship. Also, try out all the links and sites for yourself. Take a look at the website, visit the pages, and ensure that it is something that meets your standards as well as your goals. Taking the time to do a little research can keep you from wasting money on those that are not true web designers. Again any one can make a site look cute or program a few goodies into one, however true experience and professionalism will prevail any day!