7 Steps to Follow Before You Hire A Website Designer

7 Steps to Follow Before You Hire A Website Designer

There are 7 steps that can be followed to help make the right choice.

Continue reading to gain further knowledge.

Before proceeding, please review this informative web designer evaluation table.

7 Steps to Follow When Hiring a Web Designer.

Step 1: Examine the website of the web designer.

Below are some important questions to consider when examining a web designer's website.

What are your thoughts on the website and its first impression?

• Is the website loading quickly?
• Is the navigation intuitive?
• Does the website have a secure URL starting with https instead of just http?
• Does the website contain any typos?
• Does the website appear and function properly on your mobile device?
• Were you able to easily comprehend the services offered by the web designer?
• Could you provide me with information about the privacy policy?
• Can the contact information be easily located?
• Is there a customer service feature available for immediate assistance, such as a live chat or chatbot?

If you answered yes to all the questions above, it indicates a positive outcome.

Here are some key points to consider about website speed.

While all the questions above are significant, let's focus on question two: Does the website load quickly?

To assess the loading speed of a website, various tools such as Google's PageSpeed Insights and GTmetrix can be utilized.

It is recommended to assess the performance of your preferred web designer's website, since if they can optimize their own website's speed, they will also be able to do so for yours.

The importance of having a fast website cannot be underestimated.

Based on Akamai's findings, a delay of just 100 milliseconds can have a negative impact of 7% on your conversion rate.

Additionally, 53% of mobile users will exit a page if the load time exceeds three seconds.

On the other hand, a fast website provides significant advantages.

According to Google Ads, a one-second increase in mobile load speed has the potential to increase conversions.

According to Google Ad Manager, there is a correlation between the loading time of mobile websites and the length of average sessions. Websites that load in five seconds have 70% longer average sessions compared to sites that take nearly 20 seconds to load.

It is recommended that websites should have a load time of under three seconds, but some websites experience longer load times.

Create a fast website with Dog and Rooster.

If you are interested in improving the speed of your website, let's connect.

Here are 15 tips on how to improve the speed of your WordPress website.

Step 2: Assess the web designer's portfolio.

Web Design Portfolio Essentials!

Does the portfolio of your web designer meet the industry standard?

Please refer to our lists of design must-haves for more information.

💡 Visual Design Must-Haves

• The layout and imagery are visually pleasing and well-executed.
• Branding should be consistent in style, fonts, and colors.
• The visual hierarchy directs the user's attention towards the most significant elements.
• High-quality, relevant, and optimized images are provided.

A visually impactful design is important for user engagement.

Research indicates that users typically form an initial impression of a website within a mere 0.05 seconds, predominantly influenced by its visual appeal.

That is faster than the speed of a blink.

🖱️ Usability Must-Haves

• The website offers intuitive navigation for easy access to information.
• Include clear calls to action.
• The website offers search features that are designed to be user-friendly, making site navigation easy.
• Our forms are designed to be simple and user-friendly, providing optimal user interaction.

According to a study by Toptal and Miklos Philips, it was found that 88% of online users are less likely to revisit a website if they have a negative experience.

Enhancing your website's usability is essential.

Here are examples of specific ways that improving website usability positively impacts the overall user experience:

• A well-designed website decreases the likelihood of user errors, such as clicking on the wrong page.
• Provides accessibility to all
• The platform provides form validation and input assistance.
• Provides predictive search
• Allows for preference saving
• Microinteraction design incorporates elements such as button hovers and loading animations.

📱 Responsiveness Must-Haves

• Adaptive design refers to optimizing design for all devices.
• The text is designed to be easy to read and accessible on all devices.
• The website has touchscreen functionality to accommodate mobile and tablet users.

In today's digital age, it is essential to have a responsive website as mobile internet usage has surpassed desktop.

Based on data from Statista, mobile devices (excluding tablets) accounted for around 58% of web page views worldwide in the first quarter of 2023.

Some benefits of having a mobile responsive design are:

• Faster Navigation
• Enhanced Performance on Slow Networks
• Fewer Cross-Browser Inconsistencies
• Device Rotation Adaptability
• Less Zooming and Scrolling
• Flexibility in Design Updates
• Improved SEO Performance (Google prioritizes mobile-friendly websites.)
• Optimized Multimedia (Responsive designs ensure images, videos, and other media are scalable and maintain clarity across devices.)

Functionality and security are essential requirements.

• Ensure that there are no broken links or major errors on every page, ensuring that they are all functional.
• Fast loading speeds are important to prevent user drop-off.
• Ensuring browser compatibility is important for the functionality of the site across all major browsers.
• An SSL Certificate is used for secure data transmission.

To succeed, a website must be both functional and secure. According to Top Design Firms, 42% of people will leave a website if it doesn't work properly.

In addition, the use of the default protocol https is widespread among websites, with approximately 84% adopting it as the industry standard today (W3Techs).

To remain competitive, it is important for your website to have an SSL certificate and use an HTTPS URL.

🚀 Innovation Must-Haves

• The various styles and features suggest a display of creativity.
• We offer custom graphics and elements.
• The use of technology and design trends is innovative.
• The visual elements are distinct and memorable.

Innovation and versatility in a web design portfolio are very good signs.

On the other hand, if a web designer's portfolio lacks variety, it raises questions about their ability to meet your design needs.

What are the potential issues with a lack of versatility?

Typically, it suggests that the web designer is utilizing a consistent theme for each project, which contrasts greatly with the process of creating a website completely from scratch.

Content and SEO essentials are important.

• The content is well-organized, concise, and free of errors.
• Learn about best practices for SEO, including the proper use of keywords, headings, alt tags, and more.
• The copy is engaging and well-written, effectively conveying value.
• Internal linking structure is important for SEO.

Clear, concise, and informative content that is optimized for SEO should never be underestimated.

The benefits can include:

Increased topical authority, improved keyword relevance and rankings, higher dwell time, reduced bounce rates, improved readability, greater shareability, and enhanced user experience.

🔧 Tech Proficiency Must-Haves

• Proficiency in using WPBakery Page Builder is required.
• Familiarity with coding best practices.
• Knowledge and understanding of analytics and tracking setup.
• Proficiency in HTML, CSS, and JavaScript is required. Experience with optimizing websites for maximum speed and scalability is preferred.

Using WPBakery Page Builder can speed up the web design process by 50%. When used in conjunction with good coding practices, this tool allows for the creation of websites that are both user-friendly and highly functional.

😊 Client Satisfaction Must-Haves

• Positive testimonials and references are provided.
• The ability to understand and meet client needs is essential.
• 🕒 Timely project delivery.
• 🗣️ Good communication skills.

Effective communication is essential for success as a web designer.

Based on our experience, effective communication can result in fewer project revisions. Additionally, clients tend to be satisfied when their needs are met and they feel heard.

🏭 Industry Relevance Must-Haves

• I have experience in designing websites for various industries.
• The understanding of industry-specific user behavior and expectations is necessary for effective analysis.
• This portfolio showcases relevant projects and successes.

If a website designer lacks a diverse portfolio, it is advisable to consider other options.

This is because, as a client, it is undesirable to be part of someone else's learning process.

It is recommended to conduct experimentation and testing of new concepts on a separate website, rather than your company's website, and avoiding using personal resources for it.

Dog and Rooster's Portfolio

Our web design portfolio contains a variety of diverse projects for you to explore.

If you would like more information about our work history, please feel free to contact us. We are available to discuss details.

Step 3: Examine the reviews of The Web Designer

Here are the top 7 factors to consider when reading web designer reviews.

1. Detail-oriented approach

What is the feedback on the designer's attention to detail, if any?

2. Customer service

Are there any reviews that discuss the customer service provided by the web designer? If there are, what are the details mentioned?

3. Meeting project deadlines is important.

It is important to determine if the designer consistently meets project deadlines, as delays can have significant impacts on business operations and costs.

4. Customization & scalability

Take note of the designer's proficiency in creating adaptable and scalable designs that can accommodate future modifications.

5. Creative problem-solving

Are there any reviews discussing the web designer's proficiency in handling design challenges?

6. Clear communication and collaboration are important.

Please review the comments for any mention of the designer's communication skills.

7. Post-launch support

Consider searching for evidence that the web designer offers dependable post-launch assistance and delivers updates in a timely and effective manner.

Extra Tip: don't forget to check for 5-star reviews!

For example, Dog and Rooster has received several five-star reviews on Google. 

You can also read testimonials from our clients.

Step 4: Ask for References.

When hiring a web designer, it is important to conduct thorough research, including requesting references. This step is often overlooked but highly recommended.

If you have permission, it is acceptable to politely contact past or present clients and inquire about their experiences.

Based on our observations, the majority of individuals are willing to accommodate requests for such information.

Client Feedback: Positive, Neutral, and Negative

When speaking with a reference, there are certain things that are preferred and others that are not.

We have received a range of stories from individuals seeking assistance after negative experiences with other designers.

Below is a chart displaying common types of feedback:

Step 5: Inquire about their web design services. Do they offer template or custom web design?

Does the designer provide the advantages of a custom design?

There is a significant distinction between a template-based website and a fully customized one. Therefore, it is advisable to inquire about the offerings of your web designer.

Although template designs are not necessarily bad, it is crucial to receive a thorough explanation from your web designer regarding the specifics and reasons behind your choice.

A reputable web designer will accurately represent their products or services, but since this is a crucial matter for your website, we suggest following the saying "Trust, but verify."

You can request mock-ups from your web designer, and if they are unable to provide them within a few days, it is possible that they are utilizing a template.

Dog and Rooster offers custom web design services.

We are web designers specializing in custom designs using Figma and development on Webflow, WordPress, or completely custom.

Step 6: Familiarize yourself with the web design team.

It is important to familiarize yourself with your preferred web designer before signing a contract, as you will be working closely together for an extended period of time.

The team at Dog and Rooster.

Please refer to our About Us page for additional information about our company.

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Kyle Hennessy - Owner

With a decade of experience delivering top-notch websites and web applications, Kyle oversees all operations at Dog and Rooster.

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Tomoko Burke - Lead Designer

Tomoko is a creative designer with an eye for balancing creativity with business requirements.

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Crystina Pitts - Client Manager

Crystina takes care of all client-facing deliverables for custom development projects.

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Jakob Cacho - SEO Strategist 

Jakob is an expert in search engine optimization, helping websites rank higher in search results.

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Stephanie Cobos - Client Account Manager

Stephanie is a talented account manager, always making sure websites are smoothly delivered.

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Bryan Dela Luya - Website Delivery Specialist

Bryan is a skilled fullstack developer and leads many of our custom development projects.

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Sheila Olid - Website Delivery Specialist

Sheila is a skilled developer and oversees all website projects.

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Mozart Zerna - Web Developer

Mozart is an expert Wordpress developer, ready to tackle any project.

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Jeanel Amaro - Designer

Jeanel is a creative web designer with a passion for user-centered design.

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Laurel Davidson - Copywriter

Laurel is a talented copywriter and SEO analyst, helping all our clients rank higher on search engines.

Start your web design journey by making a phone call.

If you are interested in hiring Dog and Rooster or would like more information about our services, please feel free to contact us anytime.

We prioritize your success.

Step 7: Before signing, carefully review the details of the contract.

When people hear the word "contract," they typically associate it with a lengthy document full of legal terminology.

Although contracts should be thorough, they do not need to be overly complicated.

Our contracts are kept straightforward.

At Dog and Rooster, we believe that an agreement should be thorough, straightforward, and easily understood.

The agreement should be clear and specific, avoiding any loopholes, vague language, or ambiguous statements regarding pricing, project outcomes, or any other aspects.

If you encounter a contract or any type of agreement with unclear language, it is advisable to proceed with caution.

Effective agreements benefit both parties involved, ensuring clear communication and minimizing potential issues.

We provide project agreements that are clear and fair to all parties involved.

Viable Agreements

Consider signing a limited-scope agreement with a set price, which will transition into an hourly or monthly engagement upon receipt of the deliverables.

This option helps protect against scope creep by accommodating unforeseen future needs of your website.

Countering Scope Creep

Scope creep is a significant concern as it can disrupt the project's synergy by introducing new and unexpected tasks. It is essential for your contract to address and protect against this issue.

When the web design team devotes time to unapproved project items, it can result in less time for on-scope details and potentially cause delays in your project's deadlines.

Some causes of scope creep include:

• The original proposal/contract does not include any references or plans for contingencies.
• The client seeks to maximize their value by obtaining a discount.
• Lack of planning.
• Starting a project without a complete understanding of the client's requirements.
• A salesperson making exaggerated promises to a client in order to secure a sale.

Need A Web Designer?

To get your web design project started, please schedule a complimentary consultation.

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