Some things to consider before hiring a Web Designer

Is the designer experienced?

The world is full of people who have made their own web site. There is a significant difference however between having built a web site and knowing when and how to implement the various web technologies and techniques. That knowledge can only be gained by learning the techniques and using them in the real world.

While any designer can learn how to make your site work correctly, an experienced designer can do it quickly and correctly the first time, saving you time and expense in the long run.

How fast can I expect to finish my site?

Every site is different and requires a different time frame for completion. Some sites may take only a few days while others could take months to complete. Your designer should be able to give you an approximate schedule for completion when they submit their quote. Typically, a freelancer will take longer to complete your site than a design firm.

One of the most common problems in developing a web site on time is having to wait for content. You can avoid this problem in your own site by ensuring that your designer has all the information they need as quickly as possible.

What if I want to add to the site at a later date?

Perhaps right now you only need a simple six page informational web site. But as your business grows, so should your web site. Make sure in working with your web designer that they are able to handle those changes. Some designers use techniques that are not easily adaptable to these changes such as complicated graphical buttons and layouts or static coding styles that require every page to be updated independently. While these techniques work well initially, they can become quite time consuming and expensive for you to update as your site grows.

A good designer will be able to create simple menus that can be quickly and easily updated just once in order to update the entire site. You should be aware, however, that some designs are more difficult then others to update in this way due to space restrictions. If you expect significant growth in your site in the future, make sure your designer is aware of this early in the design process to make sure the final site is ready for your growth. The site's navigation should not only be easy to understand and use, but should be planned in the early stages of the project to make sure the site is user-friendly for your visitors.

Is the designer capable of working with you on more than just the code?

Some designers are able to work with you on all your projects. Not only can they code the site, but they have the knowledge and experience to create the site graphics, logos, and other media for you, as well as being able to work with you on business cards, brochures, advertisements, and all the many other items that will help your site and your business grow. If your designer is able to work with you on all these projects it will save you both time and money. When other projects come along, they will not only be familiar with your business, but they will already have items such as your logo on file for use, saving you from having to retrieve this information just to transport it and explain it to another designer.

Can I update the site myself?

Absolutely. It's just a question of how much you want to learn. Some people would rather leave site updates and maintenance entirely up to their designer while others jump in and choose to take care of all the updates themselves. Sometimes a middle ground is the best solution. A talented designer can make certain portions of your site easy to update using a simple, web based tool. The choice is yours to make.

Here at The Artstract Co., we pride ourselves on quality work in a reasonable time frame, helping you get your site from dream to reality in the shortest time possible. For our current clients, your logos and information are already on file and ready to be used on your web site, avoiding the confusion and expense of shipping files around for use. If you're a new to The Artstract Co., you'll be joining a company that can handle all your promotional needs including business cards, brochures and much more. Our team of designers work closely with you to understand your needs in a web site before developing a solution that suits all your needs now and into the future.