You’ll know by now that having a strong online presence is crucial for the success of any small business.

A well-designed website not only enhances your brand image but also serves as a powerful tool for attracting and retaining customers.

However, for many small business owners, navigating the process of hiring a web designer can be daunting. With numerous options available and varying skill sets, finding a trustworthy and reliable web designer can be like looking for a needle in a haystack!

In this article, we will walk you through the step-by-step process of hiring a web designer who will deliver a website that meets your business needs, without breaking the bank.

When you are researching website designers and hopping on discovery calls with them, listen to hear if they take the time to understand your business needs, asking you questions about:
- Your goals and objectives.
- Your target audience.
- The key features and functionalities you require.
In order to avoid wasting everyone’s time, it’s helpful to think about your budget before speaking to different designers, our recommendations would be to
- Determine a budget based on your business size and goals.
- Understand the different pricing models out there in web design (DIY templates, done-for-you websites, subscription-based website design, which is becoming more popular)
- Therefore don’t forget to discuss payment terms and milestones.
Check Credentials and Experience:
- Some might suggest you verifying educational background and certifications, but as there are a lot of self-taught designers out there, this might not get you very far!
- Assessing the web designer's industry experience by looking at their website, portfolio, social media etc.
- Look for client testimonials and reviews on the designer’s Google or LinkedIn profiles and their website. You can read our happy client testimonials here!
Understand the Design Process:
- Ask potential designers about project timelines. Each designer should have their own process for you to follow (not the other way around!) If you sense it’s all a bit fluid and made up on the fly, you might want to consider someone else.
- Inquire about the design methodology and approach, again this is useful to gauge how the designer works.
- Discuss revisions and feedback processes, to avoid nasty surprises when you get your bill.
Ask yourself do you like this webdesigner, do you get on with them? Compatibility and communication are important:
- Evaluate the designer's communication skills, these will be important for smooth project management
- Ensure compatibility with your own work style and preferences.
- Discuss the preferred mode of communication. Does the designer accept edits over WhatsApp, email or do they have a project management tool for edits and revisions?
Checking Technical Proficiency:
- Depending on the type of website your company needs, you may need to assess the designer’s proficiency in relevant programming languages. Or this may be totally irrelevant if they designer designs on WordPress, Squarespace, Kajabi or another Content Management System. Generally these require very little coding or programming expertise.
- Ask them if they use content management systems (CMS) and if so, which ones. This is important, as you will need to understand the system they use to a certain degree.
Discuss SEO and Mobile Optimisation:
- Check with your designer that your website will be optimized for search engines and ask them how they will go about this.
- Check that the site will be mobile responsive and secure with an SSL cert.
- Discuss strategies for improving website performance over timewith the designers you speak to.
Understand Support and Maintenance:
- Discuss post-launch support and maintenance agreements. Don’t be afraid to ask for detail here. Unfortunately there are plenty of website agencies out there fleecing clients for support and maintenance that doesn’t translate into anything other than an annual invoice.
- Clarify the process for handling updates and upgrades once the site is launched. Will you be able to do them yourself or how will the designer handle this?
- Establish communication channels for ongoing support.
Review Contracts and Legalities:
- Consult with a legal professional before signing any contracts.
- Ensure all terms are clearly outlined in the agreement.
- Discuss potential penalties for missed deadlines or subpar work.
Monitor Progress and How you will Give Feedback:
- Ask the designer how they manage regular check-ins and progress updates.
- Ask them about how you can give feedback and revisions.
Ensuring Security and Privacy:
- Discuss security measures for the website. Will there be an SSL Cert? Will the site require upgrades or patches (mine never do, thanks to Squarespace and Kajabi - their engineers take care of all this!)
- Discuss any data privacy concerns and compliance.
Think about whether you want a long-term relationship with your designer or not:
- You want to be sure you can establish a positive working relationship.
- Discuss future updates and enhancements. Who will do that, when and how much with it cost?
- Will the designer give recommendations for ongoing improvements?
I hope this guide helps you navigate the process of hiring a web designer with confidence, ensuring you will get a website that not only meets your business needs but also establishes a foundation for long-term success.