This episode of JK TV explains how you can hire the right web designer for your project. There are things you can expect from your web designer and things you can not expect from your web designer. After watching this video you’ll know what services you can expect and what mistakes you can avoid.
It’s a keynote based video, because I really wanted to get these points across and test different formats for the show. Please let me know in the comments how you like this style!
Your design needs to support your business goals. What is fancy design good for when your website doesn’t reach your target audience and doesn’t convert visitors into leads? Nothing. So make sure your web designer focuses on building a website that grows your business, rather than creating a fancy looking website.
Have your web designer explain your requirements in his own words, to make sure that all requirements are understood correctly. You really want to make sure that all requirements are managed correctly in the project to avoid costly reiterations on design and functionality.
Ensure that you’re updated regularly on the project status. Launching a website requires a marketing plan, sometimes a huge one. You can only plan accordingly when you know exactly what development phase your website is currently in. I hop on Skype with my clients weekly and exchange mails regularly. Implement those routines with your web designer as well and ensure clear communication.
Regardless whether your website is created from scratch or customized with a framework or theme – you’ll want to get an individual design. Unfortunately there are some web designers who just install themes without customizing them and then charge ridiculous amounts for it. Let your web designer explain how and why your design is unique.
Get clear about the design you want to achieve before the development starts. That will save you time and money, because redesigns get more expensive later in the project. You can use wireframes for this purpose and create the design concept together with your web designer.
You simply can’t buy a Mercedes for the price of a Skoda. That’s as true for cars as it’s true for websites. There’s a reason why good web designers have high rates. They’ll deliver websites that grow your business and help you achieve business objectives, while cheaper web designers create the website without any business objectives in mind.
Don’t rush through web design projects. Remember that your website is one of the most important assets for your business, so take the time necessary to make it great!
You must be logged in to post a comment.
Rahul Venkat
August 29, 2014One part resonating with me was „What NOT to Expect From Your Web Designer“.
A while back I was a project manager for a boutique web development firm.
One client wanted countless design changes. Our president called it „design by committee“, because the client (a small non-profit) would gather its board of directors, and their liaision would compile and send me their feedback. It seemed their requirements changed every two weeks.
Our president finally suggested we „design it our way“ then present the design to the client and convince them why that design would be in the client’s best interest.
It’s reminiscent of Steve Jobs’s philosophy that sometimes the customer doesn’t know what he or she wants until you create it for them.
Rahul
Jan Koch
September 1, 2014Great lesson Rahul, thanks for sharing!
I agree that some clients don’t really know what they want until you show it to them. Had that experience myself and I ended up referring the client to another web designer who was a better fit.
Doing 2,3, or 4 design revisions is not a problem, but web designers need to calculate their projects as any other service provider. So getting more design variations either results in rising prices for a project or working with a different web designer.
I’m telling my clients upfront that they can only expect a certain number of different designs, when I’m doing the design part as well as the coding. Obviously one doesn’t have that problem when your hired to code a website based on a given and finished design.
Thanks for stopping by!
Rahul Venkat
August 29, 2014One part resonating with me was „What NOT to Expect From Your Web Designer“.
A while back I was a project manager for a boutique web development firm.
One client wanted countless design changes. Our president called it „design by committee“, because the client (a small non-profit) would gather its board of directors, and their liaision would compile and send me their feedback. It seemed their requirements changed every two weeks.
Our president finally suggested we „design it our way“ then present the design to the client and convince them why that design would be in the client’s best interest.
It’s reminiscent of Steve Jobs’s philosophy that sometimes the customer doesn’t know what he or she wants until you create it for them.
Rahul
Jan Koch
September 1, 2014Great lesson Rahul, thanks for sharing!
I agree that some clients don’t really know what they want until you show it to them. Had that experience myself and I ended up referring the client to another web designer who was a better fit.
Doing 2,3, or 4 design revisions is not a problem, but web designers need to calculate their projects as any other service provider. So getting more design variations either results in rising prices for a project or working with a different web designer.
I’m telling my clients upfront that they can only expect a certain number of different designs, when I’m doing the design part as well as the coding. Obviously one doesn’t have that problem when your hired to code a website based on a given and finished design.
Thanks for stopping by!
Navid Moazzez
August 30, 2014Another great video Jan! I really like the professional video, and the tips you share are spot on.
One thing most people don’t realize, but probably the most important one if you want to have a website that really converts (who doesn’t right?), is to hire a website designer with a solid understanding of online marketing… this is one of the biggest mistakes people make when they’re hiring a designer, and then they wonder why their sites doesn’t convert well haha 😉
Keep up the awesome work, my friend!
Jan Koch
September 1, 2014Thanks @navidmoazzez:disqus!
You’re spot on! Hiring a web designer with understanding of business and marketing principles is crucial to get a high converting website. There’s more to a website than just a fancy design 😉
Cheers bud!
Navid Moazzez
August 30, 2014Another great video Jan! I really like the professional video, and the tips you share are spot on.
One thing most people don’t realize, but probably the most important one if you want to have a website that really converts (who doesn’t right?), is to hire a website designer with a solid understanding of online marketing… this is one of the biggest mistakes people make when they’re hiring a designer, and then they wonder why their sites doesn’t convert well haha 😉
Keep up the awesome work, my friend!
Jan Koch
September 1, 2014Thanks @navidmoazzez:disqus!
You’re spot on! Hiring a web designer with understanding of business and marketing principles is crucial to get a high converting website. There’s more to a website than just a fancy design 😉
Cheers bud!
Dan Dynneson
August 30, 2014Hi Jan. I’ve been using wireframes for a while now. What a difference! I think that’s one of the most valuable additions to your article.
Jan Koch
September 1, 2014Hey Dan,
yes, wireframes are a real game changer! I explained how to use them in http://jkoch.me/2, they’re making life so much easier for me and my clients 🙂
Cheers!
Chris
September 4, 2014It’s also the basic principle behind coding…you have to know pseudo-code (the logic algorythm) before actually writing the code itself…
Dan Dynneson
August 30, 2014Hi Jan. I’ve been using wireframes for a while now. What a difference! I think that’s one of the most valuable additions to your article.
Jan Koch
September 1, 2014Hey Dan,
yes, wireframes are a real game changer! I explained how to use them in http://jkoch.me/2, they’re making life so much easier for me and my clients 🙂
Cheers!
Chris
September 4, 2014It’s also the basic principle behind coding…you have to know pseudo-code (the logic algorythm) before actually writing the code itself…