Choosing a Web Designer
Choosing a web designer can be a difficult process,
especially for a client with a limited technical understanding.
This guide outlines seven essentials for a client to look for
before settling on a web designer.
Essential 1 Willingness to design for you
Your choice of a web page designer should include the fact that they are willing to talk and communicate with you on all aspects of your design. They should be capable of adjusting their "way of doing things" with your requests for information or changes.
Essential 2 Openess
Your web designer choice should be completely honest and believable when discussing timelines, deadlines, changes, graphics, features included in overall design, ect. Clear and open expression of terms is a sure sign that you have chosen a very workable web page designer.
Essential 3 Solid showcase of past work
A detail-driven portfolio gives an idea of the caliber of work a designer is capable of delivering. Be cautious of template designs and ensure that the designer has examples of custom work designed specifically for clients.
Essential 4 Validation to W3C standards
The World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) develops the standards for the Internet. Web site designers are encouraged to follow these guidelines when coding a website. A failure to follow W3C protocols can result in cross-browser issues, old code, and penalties from major search engines. So how can a client determine whether or not a web designer adheres to W3C standards? One way is to find the little icons for W3C validation displayed on the website, click them, and see if the website displays no errors and a green VALIDATED. Successfully passing validation is a good sign. When validation fails, with several errors, it may be in the best interest of the client to find another web designer.
Essential 5 Documented design process
A pre-documented outline of a project’s stages can comfort and assure a client by providing an advanced understanding of the designer’s planned approach. Knowing what to expect ahead of time helps eliminate unexpected steps during the timeline to completion of a project.
Essential 6 Organization
This essential is key to structuring a project, estimating an accurate timeline, and meeting deadlines and when to pay for what. Also important is visual organization, displaying a design in an arranged layout with a clear placement of elements,graphics, menus and content.
Essential 7 Listening skills
A designer should value the knowledge and input of a client, and offer honest guidance to a client’s directives throughout a project. Initially, the designer should take into account the client’s goals, listen to the project’s needs and include them in a detailed proposal.
Simply knowing a web designer does not imply that he or she offers these essentials. One that does will have a strengthened approach in meeting a client’s objectives and fulfilling the desired outcome.
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