When it comes to your business’s online needs, finding the right web designer is crucial to the website’s intended overall purpose, whether it is to sell something, or convey messages. A professionally designed website can help create better user experience, better conversion, and better brand recognition. That being said, it is very common for organizations to make mistakes when hiring a web designer, and taking these missteps can hurt your company in the long-term. We are going to discuss the five most common mistakes so that you can learn from them when considering your own designer, and to make sure that your new online persona gets off to the right start.
1. Focusing Solely on Price
Although price is an important factor, if cost is prioritized over quality, it can lead to unhappy results. Designing websites is easy and cheap… but may often be done by inexperienced designers or designers charging a rock-bottom price, which could result in them being a less-skilled designer. Please do not go out searching for the lowest price option. Instead, evaluate and sort potential designers or agencies based on their portfolio, experience and quality of value offered. Always remember, while looking back at your rocky decision-making processes in cost vs quality… a quality designer will provide a return on your investment over time.
2. Overlooking Mobile Optimization
Given the amount of web traffic that is mobile traffic, a mobile friendly site and a mobile optimized site are essential. Responsive design provides a great experience on any device while maintaining good accessibility and relevant engagement. Keep in mind that when a user has a poor experience as a result of you being unable to cater for mobile users on your site, it also serves negative returns.
3. Failing to Set Clear Expectations and Deadlines
If no formal agreement is reached between the two parties on the deliverables, timelines, and scope of the project, communication issues and delays may arise. Hence, it is advisable to review and have a contract drafted outlining responsibilities, deadlines, and milestones. By doing so, you can avoid scope creep and also adherence to timelines, while also providing the project parties with certainty as to the arrangement.
- Underestimating Post-Launch Support
A website is rarely a one-time project. A website requires constant maintenance and updates. Many companies view post-launch support as an afterthought, and this mindset can lead to issues down the road. If you are not satisfied with your designer’s response regarding post-launch support, whether in terms of updates, troubleshooting, or long-term support post-launch, then it goes without saying that you should look elsewhere. This way, you can guarantee that once your site launches, it will continue being maintained, operated, and secure.
5. Not Reviewing References or Past Work
It is always risky to select a designer without checking out their previous work and client feedback. You should always examine a designer’s portfolio to be sure of the quality and style of their work. Always ask for references or testimonials from previous clients as to their reliability and professionalism. This due diligence will make sure you hire a designer who meets your demands and still produces the results you want.
