Choosing A Web Designer : A Plan to Guide You Through The Minefield

Choosing a web designer can seem like a daunting task. Theycome in all shapes and sizes - from freelancers working at home toglossy new media agencies, and there is as much variation in prices andservice as there is in size.

So how do you choose the right one for your business?

Select Your Marketplace

Firstly, decide what market your would like to select from: local , national or overseas.

Ifyou would feel more comfortable meeting your designer, and runningthrough your project face to face (maybe it's the kind of project thatneeds to "evolve") ,and your ethos is "quality of service" rather than"Pile 'em high, sell 'em cheap" then a local web designer is for you.They can usually provide better back up, and be able to meet face toface to discuss your project and iron out any problems should theyoccur.

If you are a bit more budget conscious, then it makessense to select from a "wider pool". Getting quotes from designersacross your country will usually obtain a more competitive quote. Whatyou lose in face-to-face service is made up for in cost savings, andall but the largest web projects can usually be sorted out viatelephone and email these days.

For the extremely cost consciousand value for money orientated (some would even say "brave"!) there isthe overseas market. If you know exactly what you are looking for andcan explain your project thoroughly and clearly in writing, then thereare huge savings to be made. But what you save in price is invariablycountered by having to do a little more work on your side -particularly when it comes to communication!

Finding Web Designers

Tofind a list of local web designers consult your Yellow Pages (orequivalent) or do a web search for "web designer " + "your area".Looking further a field, you can do a web search or check outdirectories such as www.recommended-web-designers.co.uk . For overseasdesigners, go to web sites such as www.elance.com orwww.rentacoder.com, the latter offering the benefit of escrow andarbitration services.

Draw up a shortlist

Draw up ashortlist of 3 or 4 designers to speak to. You can do this by visitingtheir websites, getting a feel for the type and size of business theyare and looking at their online portfolio. Then call them - ask themquestions about the type of clients they work for, timeframes and anyother technical questions you have. Get a feel for how they communicate- whether they are on the same wavelength as you.

If you optedto go overseas, the websites already mentioned have ratings systemswhich can help you decide, and you can also send and receive privatemessages to ask questions.

Get Quotes

Once you have yourshortlist, you can get quotes. For a straightforward website this canbe a simple fixed price - for a more complicated project that is likelyto evolve, you may just want to get a budget price at this stage, andthen pin down details and a fixed price with your preferred bidderlater. Always specify your expected timeframe for completion whenobtaining quotes as this can affect prices.

Get References

Onceyou have your preferred bidder, get references. Any established webdesigner will be able to provide details of satisfied clients. Emailthem and ask if they were happy with the service received, if the jobwas completed on time, how unforeseen problems were dealt with etc.

Rememberto trust your instincts: If you are not entirely happy with thereferences you obtain, walk away and select another designer.

Appoint your web designer

You now have a fixed price, references, and confirmed timescale for your project. Now appoint your designer!

Mosthave standard agreements -read them carefully, and if in doubt get yourlegal adviser to look them over. Make sure timescales and projectmilestones are specified, as well as payment terms. Find out howalterations to your project are dealt with - in terms of cost anddelays - and how disputes if they arise would be settled.

Finally,when you are completely happy, sign on the dotted line and look forwardto a productive working relationship with your web designer!

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