In the world of digital marketing, it’s more important than ever for businesses to have a strong online presence. While many business owners may think that creating a website is outside of their budget or scope as a smaller business, it doesn’t need to be that way. If you’re reading this article, it means you are interested in commissioning the services of a web designer. But what does that entail? How do you begin the process with your potential web designer? This guide will help you understand what services a web designer can offer and how to go about finding one and working with them effectively. Let’s get started... What can a web designer do for your business? A web designer can help your business in a lot of ways. Here are a few examples: First off, designers can create a website for your business. They can help you design your website in a way that suits your business goals, brand image, and budget. Next, your web designer can help you host your website, so it’s online and available for your customers. They can help you optimize your website for search engines. This includes making sure your website is easy to navigate, has a good user experience, and is easy to find. Finally, designers can help you track your website’s traffic, including who’s visiting and what they’re interested in. They can also help you set up your website to take payments. How to find a web designer you’re comfortable working with Before you begin scouring the internet for designers, you should have a rough idea of what you’re looking for. Are you looking for someone who specializes in eCommerce solutions, or are you simply looking for someone who designs beautiful websites? Do you prefer a designer who focuses more on design elements like typography and color theory, or would you rather have a designer who specializes in functionality, usability, and the back-end? These are some of the things you’ll want to keep in mind when you begin your search for a designer. Here are a few tips for finding a designer to work with: - Evaluate your budget - If you have a specific budget in mind, make sure to factor that into your search. There are many factors that go into determining how much a website will cost, including the type of website you’re creating, the features and functionality you have in mind, and the designer you’re working with. - Consider hiring a full-service agency - If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the process of finding a designer and figuring out what you need, you may want to consider hiring a full-service agency. Agencies offer different services, including website design, content creation, SEO, and more. - Try reading reviews, and ask for referrals - You may want to ask your friends and colleagues if they have any recommendations, or you may want to read reviews online. You can also try asking your designer some questions to see how they respond. You want to make sure you’re comfortable working with your designer. Web design costs and duration As mentioned above, it’s important to understand that there isn’t one set price for a website, or one set timeline for how long a website should take. Every website is different, and as a result, each website comes with its own set of budget and timeline requirements. That being said, you can expect to spend anywhere from $5,000 to $50,000 on a website, and you should plan for that timeline to be somewhere between 4-12 months. In the end, these numbers will vary based on the services your designer is providing, the features and functionality you have in mind, and the designer you’re working with. Web design contract essentials Your website design contract will outline the terms and conditions of your working relationship with your designer. It’s important to have a contract in place, not only to protect you as the business owner, but also to protect your designer. By having an agreed-upon contract, you both know what is expected of each other and what to do if you ever need to break the contract. Here are a few things to keep in mind when drafting up a contract with your designer: - Make sure the contract outlines all of the services your designer will be providing for your business, as well as the cost of each of those services. - Make sure the contract details when you’ll make payments to your designer and how much you’ll be paying for each part of the services. - Make sure the contract also details when your designer will be completing certain parts of the project, as well as what happens if either of you breaks the contract. The importance of having an SEO expert on your team While your designer is focusing on the front-end of your website, such as the design elements, color scheme, and layout, you’ll likely want to have an SEO expert on your team to focus on the back-end. A lot of what your SEO expert will do is create and distribute content that is easy to find on search engines like Google. The best way to think about it is that your designer is creating the house, whereas your SEO expert is making the house easy to find. You want to make sure you have both of these experts on your team, as it will make a significant difference in your website’s performance. Summing up Website design is a process, and it’s important to make sure you’re prepared for it. When you’re ready to hire a web designer, you’ll want to make sure you have your project thoroughly outlined, including a timeline and budget. You’ll also want to make sure you have a contract in place to protect both you and your designer. What’s more, you’ll want to make sure you have an SEO expert on your team, as this will make sure your website is optimized for search engines. In the end, these three things will help make your website successful, and more importantly, help grow your business!