So you’ve decided its time to talk to a local website designer. But how to find the right expert for the job? After being in the digital space for many years I have worked alongside developers, managers, specialists, my closest work friends were developers and managers of developers. Now as a business owner creating websites myself, I’ve seen the aftermath of a site that isn’t being looked after, and I’ve seen fly by night website creators that aren’t around and haven’t even provided a login to their client. SO… I’ve come up with a list of qualities to look for before you hire your next local website designer.
1. Technical expertise in website design
Expertise in WEBSITE design isnt the same as expertise in graphic design. These are two completely different technical skillsets, work histories, trial and error in experiences, and completely different technical tools. The tools to hear for are HTML (old school but still works!), or WordPress, or Shopify, or Squarespace, Showit, and on the low-end Wix. If their only experience has been in GoDaddy’s “Website Builder” – that’s not robust because that builder missed the mark on certain website design and SEO requirements.
If their experience is in WordPress – thats robust because its open-source and completely customizable. Ideally this means they like to customize. Shopify is also promising from an ECommerce perspective. But also this isn’t the only quality to check off on the list. Look for the next qualities, this was just 1 element to look for.
2. The local website designer should be working on websites for at least 2 years
I’m not trying to knock someone with zero experience, because that was me some time ago. Someone took a leap of faith on me – but I also did not have the lead on my first site on day one. I was part of a team for years.
But this is likely the face of your solo business – your website is you – its an extension of you and one of your employees that works 24/7. If you have an expectation for your site to guide the visitor on both desktop *and mobile* in a user friendly navigational way to accomplish your shared goals – it’s just best to choose someone with some solo website design experience.
Unless your budget is strapped – in this case I say experience may not be needed so much – just get a leap of faith and go – get it out there – its better than nothing at all. But you best have a marketing plan thats driving people to your site to transact (ie social media, direct mail, networking, a good google business profile, foot traffic), because there is a solid chance that a no/low budget site is not getting found in google / search engines.
3. Your local web designer should have good communication and collaboration
Ask what the project experience will be like. How do they gather requirements or information about your business, how do they provide updates to you, do they use an online markup tool for you to visually see how things are going, how do they share design specs with you, etc. Just to get an understanding if they’ve done this before and so you know what to expect.
4. Check out the local web designer's Portfolio and/or Testimonials
Your local website deisgner should have a website, and ideally samples of past work on there. Or they may have a document they can share with you of past work. I’ll be honest here – I have been so strapped for time that my portfolio is not always current. So just ask them if they have anything they’d like to share, any favorite work and why. Better yet is if someone refers you to them that did business with them. Personal referrals are excellent.
5. Maintenance, Hosting and Support
I’ve seen a lot of cute websites made – with terrible on-site SEO – and no login was provided to their client – and they are MIA when the client could use some help a year later.
As far as Hosting goes – RUN from GoDaddy. Personally I would run from the web designer if they suggest GoDaddy or BlueHost. Sorry, not sorry. I have experienced too much slow page load speed and bad tech support to have anything good to say about them. If they use FlyWheel, WPMU, Siteground, Digital Ocean (and there are others) props to them!
There are a lot of talented designers out there that are not technical from a web development world – they are more likely use Squarespace and can make a good or pretty website – and thats a great step 1. But if there is no support plan and you have an edit you need to make next year – do you know how to log into your site? Does your local website designer have a support plan? Paying an annual fee so they can offer x hours of work committed to you the next year is great peace of mind. If its a WordPress site with ANY custom plugin ie Booking, Appointments – get that maintenance plan. Customized plugins are awesome because they let you do more and scale on your website – but you will have questions. Have that plan with your local website designer so when you reach out to them – there is some service level agreement to help you out in a reasonable time frame.
So that sums up what I have for now on what to look for in your local website designer. I am in Salida, Colorado if you need any help! I also have clients worldwide. Send a message or book a call here.
