Get to Work
or do you need one at all?.
I know, I know. So far you’ve been doing all of the heavy lifting. There are lots of decisions to be made, research and organizing to be done. It may feel overwhelming but pre-planning is an essential part of web design. Your designer can of course help guide you through the process but having completed these exercises should give you a basis of understanding as you dive into the actual design.
Questions you might want to ask a potential designer
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Some designers book dedicated time to a single project and may have a waiting list to get on their schedule. This is normal and can indicate someone who is in demand. Just make sure your schedules and any deadlines are in alignment.
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If you are hiring a Freelance designer then what you see is what you get but if you are considering working with an agency, it’s good to know who your actual point of contact will be.
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Spoiler alert: Most designers do. Just understand at what point you will be asked for feedback, the allotted turn around time, the number of revisions and additional cost if you need to extend or go over.
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Some designers also offer copywriting, SEO and branding or may “white label” those services under the scope of your project.
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Read reviews and testimonials if available. You can also ask for references.
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Review their portfolio or ask for links to past projects that might be similar. Even though a portfolio can have a variety of projects, you should begin to see an overall “vibe” or style.
I’ve turned down project because I quickly realized our styles weren’t in alignment. It’s okay for you to say no for the same reason.
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It sounds simplistic but design requires regular communication so having someone you enjoy working with is critical. My rule of thumb is would I sit and have a beer with them (which I don’t mean literally but…). If the answer is yes, I think we’d work well together.