How to Choose a Web Designer: The Complete Guide for Businesses

Did you know that 38% of visitors will leave a website just because it's unattractive?

No matter how amazing your product or service is, it won't speak for itself. You only have one chance to make a first impression before your website visitors go to your competitors.

The solution? Choose a web designer who can help you create a website that connects with your target audience so that they can't wait to work with you.

But choosing the right web designer isn't as simple as looking through a few Google reviews. If you miss out on a few key requirements, you could end up with a website you hate and no more money left in your budget.

So if you're ready to take the overwhelm out of choosing a web designer, keep reading. Below is everything you need to know!

Know Your Project Requirements

Before you start looking for a web designer, get clear on everything your project needs. This will narrow down your search and make it less overwhelming to find the right designer.

You should be clear on:

  • How many pages your website will need
  • Your web design budget
  • The website style you like
  • Whether you only need design or other services like SEO
  • Any special features you'd like

Knowing how many pages you need will help web designers estimate how much time your project will take.

Budgeting for your web design gives web designers specifics on what you can afford. This will help them let you know if those special features you wanted are within your budget.

Firms vs Freelancers

Web design firms and freelancers are both great options for businesses when it comes to web design. Web design firms have an advantage because they offer more services.

Freelancers are a good option if you only need someone to design your website on a budget.

They usually have a very good understanding of web design and how to create an attractive website. However, they often don't have experience with SEO or content writing, so their work may not be as effective without additional help.

Web design firms offer a wider range of services, including off-page and on-page SEO, link building, and content writing.

This means that they can take care of everything for you and make sure your website is effective from start to finish.

Firms are also more likely to include ongoing tech support, even after your project is completed. This may be included in your package, or they might offer it to you at a fair price.

If you're not tech-savvy, you'll get a lot of peace of mind knowing that you can contact your web designer if you run into a glitch or need to update something.

Get a Feel for Their Style

Web design is all about creating a website that visually represents your brand. So even if you love a certain designer's style, it's best not to work with them if their style doesn't fit your brand.

Once you have your eye on a few designers, take a look at each one's portfolio. Look at businesses that aren't in your niche as well. Notice which design elements you gravitate towards and write them down.

You should also think about whether their style fits your industry.

For example, if you're in the wedding industry, you'll want a web designer who can create elegant and timeless designs. If you're in the technology industry, you'll want a web designer who can create modern and innovative designs.

It's also important to make sure the web designer's style matches your target audience.

If your website is for children, the designer should have a good grasp of bright colors and educational web design. If your website is for adults, check the designer's portfolio for more professional and minimalist designs.

Check Experience and Credentials

First, go to the web designer's site and check their professional qualifications. Do they have qualifications related to web design?

But don't get swept away by fancy credentials—always make sure to check the designer's experience as well. Check how long the designer has been in business and whether they have any reviews.

Two huge factors to look for in experience are:

  • Whether they can design a mobile-friendly website
  • Whether they have experience designing business websites

Take a good look at the web designer's own website. Does everything look visually appealing? Are the colors and fonts consistent? Is it fast and easy to navigate the website?

Experience is another great reason to hire a web design agency. Since a team will be working on your website, the agency will assign the best person to each part of the job.

For example, they may get a graphic designer to help with colors and logos, while a specialist might work on the user experience portion of your site.

Look at Online Reviews and Testimonials

Once you've narrowed down your list to a few web designers, check their website for testimonials.

Remember that these are going to reflect the best of the company. So, you also want to ask them for a list of previous clients you can contact for a testimonial.

Online client reviews are also a great tool to use when you're narrowing down your search as long as you read them critically.

If the web designer gets mostly positive reviews, this is a good sign. You want to stay away from reviews that are only positive, as this could indicate a scam.

Pay attention to the negative reviews as well.

If the web designer wrote a professional comment on a negative review and offered to remedy the problem, this is a sign of great customer service.

Ready to Choose a Web Designer That Fits Your Needs?

Learning how to choose a web designer can be overwhelming, but it gets easier once you know what to look for. At the end of the day, choose a designer that fits your brand, industry, and audience best.

And if you're ready to take your website from imagination to reality, The Blue Creative can help.

Our team of experts knows how important it is for your business to make a powerful first impression.

From web design to all-inclusive SEO services, we offer everything your website needs to get started. Check out our services and book a consultation with us today!

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