How To Hire a Web Designer – 23 Insider Tips From a Web Design Company

Tip 1: Define Your Website Objectives

It is imperative that you define the purpose of your new website before beginning your search for a web designer. What do you hope to accomplish through the use of your website? Do you want to boost the number of sales you make online? Do you wish to produce potential customers? Do you wish to raise people’s awareness of your brand?

Defining your goals at the very beginning will help ensure that your freelance web designer is in line and fully understands the objectives you have for your site.

Tip 2: Check Out What They Have to Offer.

When searching for a web designer, it is important to look at their own site. Examine their portfolio to discover if the design style they employ is compatible with the aesthetic of your brand.

Have they worked with small businesses? Are their websites visually appealing and mobile-friendly? What type of different projects have their web developers worked on? These are just some questions you need to keep in mind.

Checking out their case studies and the overall functionality of their own website is crucial. Why would you hire a supposedly professional web designer who has an awful-looking website? It doesn’t make sense!

Tip 3: Have a Look at Their Reviews.

You can gain useful insights into the work ethic and communication of web designers by reading reviews from other small business owners.

Regardless if they’re specialists like UI Designers, freelance web designers, or professional web designers like our team at Orange Hippo Designs, look at the feedback left by previous customers on the company’s website, Google My Business, or any other review sites to get an idea of what it was like to work with their web designers.

This is one way to help ensure you hire a web designer that is experienced and knows what they’re doing.

Tip 4: Assess the Level of Their Knowledge

Most freelance web designers are well-versed in a variety of subfields, including user experience (UX), user interface (UI), and web development, among others.

Ask for a quick overview with your prospects about their areas of specialization and the amount of experience they have gained in these areas. Your site’s web design and development can be brought up to the highest possible standards if you work with a web designer that possesses a diverse set of skills.

Finding freelance designers who do it all when it comes to building websites may be costly and timely due to the amount of work being taken on by one person.

Ideally, finding a team with a graphic designer, a web developer, a website designer, and other team members who handle different objectives is the most ideal choice, which is why you should be contacting us today!

Tip 5: Inquire How They Build Sites

When hiring a web designer, it’s important to know how that designer creates their web pages and their overall timeline.

New sites that need to be expedited will probably cost you more than a few hundred dollars, but you honestly won’t know until you find out the scope of their services.

Typically when you hire a web designer, there is a “Discovery Phase.” At Orange Hippo Designs, this is where we gather all the important info needed to begin (amount of web pages, company info, the type of site [landing page, ecommerce, small business site, etc.], implementation of content management systems, and more.)

Once this phase is complete, we put together a proposal for your new website. You obviously want to save money, but at the same time, you want the right designer. It’s important to find a balance between the two so that your objectives are met.

Tip 6: Discuss Their Design Style

The last person you want to hire to work on your website is a web designer who won’t match your branding. Every designer has a distinctive aesthetic of their own, so it is crucial to make sure that it complements the visual identity of your business.

Talk to your designer about your preferences, and be sure to ask them for examples to help you understand their aesthetic. Do they favor designs with pronounced typography over those with simple typefaces? Do they favor a vibrant color scheme or would they favor one that is more muted?

Ensure that the design they employ is consistent with the principles and values that your business represents.

Tip 7: Request Information About Their Coding Standards

It is essential that the web developer you hire is knowledgeable in the area they are working in if you intend to add code to your website. Your website could suffer from poorly written code.

Inquire with the web designer you are considering hiring about the coding practices they implement and whether or not they use a content management system (CMS) like WordPress. Doing so will help you determine whether or not to hire them.

Employing a web designer who adheres to coding standards is one way to increase the likelihood that your website will load quickly, perform well in search engine optimization, and be straightforward to update and maintain.

Tip 8: Make sure their availability is clear.

Before you hire a web designer, you need to make sure they’re available throughout the duration of your project’s timetable, as web design projects can take anywhere from a few weeks to several months to finish.

Inquire with them regarding their availability and whether or not they are working on any other tasks at the moment.

Tip 9: Discuss the Manner in Which They Communicate

It is necessary to ensure that your web designer has a communication style that is compatible with your preferences, as efficient communication is one of the most important factors that determine the success of any project.

Do you prefer to be checked in once a week or on a daily basis? Do you prefer to communicate with me via phone or email? Define your expectations for communication with your designer to reduce the likelihood of misunderstandings and increase the likelihood that the build-out will proceed without a hitch.

Tip 10: Inquire Regarding the Assistance They Provide.

Do you want to hire a web designer that leaves you hanging once the site is done? We didn’t think so! After the launch of your website, you may find that you require continuous support, such as website maintenance or updates.

Inquire with your designer about the support services they offer as well as whether or not they provide maintenance plans. A designer who provides continuing assistance is the best person to hire if you want to make sure that your website is always up to date and continues to fulfill your company’s needs.

Tip 11: Talk About Their Pricing

The cost for a website design will vary depending on the size and scope of the site as well as its level of difficulty. Inquire about the cost with your designer, as well as if they charge by the hour or by the project.

There are some freelance marketplaces that will show profiles with listed hourly rates. Make sure to get a clear understanding of any additional payments, such as those associated with hosting or domain registration, to prevent unpleasant surprises in the future.

Tip 12: Examine Their Reputation Using Social Media

Because social media can be such an effective instrument for organizations, it is absolutely necessary to be certain that the designer you hire has a robust social media presence. Examine their business social media accounts, such as LinkedIn, Twitter, or Instagram, to see how active they are and how their users interact with them in order to get a better sense of how they will respond to you.

If a designer has a robust presence across several social media platforms, it may be an indication that they are enthusiastic about the job that they do and have a real interest in the success of their customers.

Tip 13: Inquire About Their Expertise, Specifically SEO.

Search engine optimization, also known as SEO, is crucial for the success of any site because it raises its position in the results pages of search engines (SERPs). Inquire with your site designer about their expertise in search engine optimization (SEO) and whether or not they follow best practices for on-page optimization, such as researching keywords and using meta tags.

A designer who is also knowledgeable about search engine optimization (SEO) may help you ensure that your site is optimized for search engines and can also assist you in accomplishing other goals related to it.

Tip 14: Make Inquiries Regarding the Content Creation Services That They Provide

The production of content is an essential component of any site because it assists in communicating the message of your business and engaging with your target audience. Inquire with the site designer about the content production services they offer, such as graphic design or copywriting.

Business websites that have pages with good content will produce at a higher rate. A designer who also provides content production services can ensure that the content on your site is of high quality, engaging, and congruent with the personality and values of your business.

Tip 15: Verify That They Have Knowledge Of Accessibility

Accessibility on the web is critical in order to guarantee that all users, including those with impairments, are able to access and utilize your site.

Inquire with the designers of your site about their expertise in accessibility and whether or not they adhere to the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG). A web designer who is knowledgeable about accessibility may help guarantee that your site is user-friendly and accessible to people with varying levels of ability.

Tip 16: Inquire On Their Expertise with E-commerce.

If you want to sell products or services online, it is absolutely necessary to make sure that the web designer you hire has previous experience working with online stores. Inquire with them about their understanding of online store buildouts and determine whether or not they have experience building and constructing websites on Woo-Commerce or Shopify.

When it comes to an online store, the completed work must have the proper tools in place. Inventory numbers, sales banners, brand specials, and countdown banners are just some of the different tools that need to be properly set to help turn your visitors into customers.

You should create your online store to attract and convert visitors, as well as fulfill industry requirements for security and payment processing, and a web designer with experience in e-commerce can ensure this happens for you.

Tip 17: Ask Them About the Analytical Services They Provide

You can optimize your website and accomplish the goals you set for it with the assistance of analytics, which can provide useful insights into the performance of your website and the behavior of its users.

Inquire with your site designer about the analytics services they offer, including whether or not they handle setup and reporting for analytics. Your website can be designed for data-driven decision-making and continual improvement with the help of a web designer who also offers analytics services.

Tip 18: Check To See If Their Timeline Is Clear.

Timelines for projects are flexible because they depend on the size and complexity of the project. With your web designer, go over the creation schedule in great detail, paying close attention to the milestones and the deadlines. Remember to allow extra time in case there are unanticipated difficulties.

You can stay on track and make sure the project is finished on schedule and within your budget by creating a detailed timeline.

Tip 19: Ask How They Create Their Sites

When you speak with designers, ask them how they create sites for their clients. Designers who are confident in their work will have no issues sharing with you how they create their sites and how they will create one that resonates with your brand.

You need to be asking questions like, Are wireframes or mockups the first step in the process? Do they include you in the design process, or do they work on their own without your involvement? What form is used on the contact page? etc.

Designers who employ methods that are both well-defined and well-structured can guarantee that the final product they create will live up to your standards and exceed your expectations.

Tip 20: Inquire On Their Past Work

The portfolio page of a web designer can give you an idea of their design style as well as the quality of their work, and the variety of clients they have worked on. Inquire your web designer whether or not they have past expertise designing sites for businesses in your field, and request a portfolio of their previous work.

If a web designer has a portfolio that is both varied and outstanding, this may be an indication that they have the abilities and experience necessary to develop high-quality web pages that are in line with your company’s goals and objectives and are well worth the cost.

But if you see websites within their portfolio that are broken and littered with 404 pages, then run away as fast as you can! Designing websites takes time and effort, so don’t just pay for any average joe to work on your site. Take your time with the hiring process. Budget for a quality design and pay for good content. Your company, your brand, and your wallet will thank you for it.

Tip 21: Ask About the Evaluation and Quality Control They Have in Place

It is crucial to be certain that your website has been exhaustively tested and does not include any flaws or defects before you launch it. Inquire with your web designer about the testing and quality assurance methods that they use, as well as whether or not they have a checklist for ensuring that the website is completely functional and meets your specifications.

A web designer who is equipped with a testing and quality assurance method can guarantee that your website will go live without any errors and will conform to the industry’s standards for usability and functionality.

Tip 22: Inquire About Their Policies Regarding Refunds.

It is critical to inquire about the web designer’s return policy as soon as possible, even if no one likes to consider the possibility that a project will fail. Ask your site designer about their return policy and what situations might trigger a refund.

If the web designer you work with has a policy that is both transparent and equitable about refunds, you can be assured that you will be protected in the event that unforeseen problems or delays arise.

Tip 23: Clarify Ownership and Copyright Issues

Finally, it is imperative to be clear about who owns the website and the copyright for all of its web design content. When discussing the website with your web designer, be sure to bring up the subjects of ownership and copyright because it is crucial to clarify who owns the website and its content once it has been finished.

You can use the website and all of its content to further the objectives of your business by hiring a web designer who is knowledgeable about ownership and copyright issues to help ensure that you retain full ownership of the website and all of its content.

Orange Hippo Designs is the ideal choice for your new website

Orange Hippo Designs is here to help make this choice easier as we are aware that choosing the best web designer can be a difficult and time-consuming process.

We offer upfront pricing and will collaborate with you to develop a structure that is suited to both your budgetary restrictions and the details of your requirements.

Reviewing our extensive portfolio of prior work will give you confidence in our ability to create a high-quality website that satisfies your business goals. This portfolio shows our web design approach, the caliber of our work, and the range of projects we’ve completed in the past.

Our thorough testing and quality assurance procedures guarantee that your website will be released without flaws and that it will meet the industry standards for usability and functionality.

We are committed to providing excellent customer service and making sure that the outcome meets your expectations in addition to these reasons. Working side by side with you, we ensure that your website satisfies your business objectives and is consistent with the personality and values of your brand at every stage of the process.

Conclusion

Our final thoughts on this approach are straightforward. Make your next website with Orange Hippo Designs! Our local and national designers are hungry to hear from you.

The success of your project and the objectives of your business depend on your choice of one of our fantastic Orange Hippo designers.

If you take our recommendations, you’ll have a top-notch company website that meets your goals and is consistent with the character and values of your brand.