Better by Design: Finding the Perfect Web Designer, Part 2

Where do I find a web designer?

How do I ensure I’ve found the right one?

How much will it cost?

Last time we discussed many of the essential steps that are too often overlooked when starting any web design project. Now that you have considered these important steps, it is time to start looking for a web designer. In this article I will show you how to weed out the wannabes and find the right designer to make your project a success.

Where Do I Look?

At times it seems like there is a web designer on every corner; yet finding one who is professional, accepts criticism, and remains focused on the goals of your project is rare.

Craigslist.org

While it would not be my first choice, Craigslist is still the best option for those on a tight budget. Craigslist is a two-headed monster. Posting a project will undoubtedly get you a large variety of responses, but the professionalism and ability of these designers is often suspect. To avoid being bombarded with responses from unqualified applicants, be sure to include a detailed description of your project and its goals along with your qualification requirements, a fair negotiable pay rate, and a strict application process. If prospective designers can’t follow a simple application process, don’t expect them to be accountable on your project.

Browsing resumes on Craigslist might be a better alternative to posting a project. Designers who are willing to post resumes and design samples are typically more professional than designers who simply browse listings in order to make a few extra dollars to buy a new snowboard or fund a road trip to Vegas. If your project isn’t a priority to the designer, you will have problems.

FreelanceSwitch.com

Place an ad on the FreelanceSwitch job board for absolutely free! In my opinion, this site is a big improvement over Craigslist because professional freelancers who are paying a monthly subscription for the service populate the site. It may be more difficult to find a web designer in your area on this site; however, if you are open to conducting business online, this might be the right solution for you.

Coroflot.com

Coroflot is arguably the largest premier design portfolio and job-posting site. Coroflot also powers many other sites’ job boards, so one posting can be seen on multiple sites. Posting a job in this seemingly endless pool of talent is costly. But if you browse portfolios by category and location, you are sure to find some impressive portfolios in your area. If you find a designer who fits your needs, you can contact them directly and bypass Coroflot’s fees.

What Do I Look For?

Do they have the right experience?

The most important consideration when picking a designer is experience. Do they have a degree in design? Are they a member of a creative organization? Have they completed projects similar to yours? Can they work within a budget? Will they provide references from previous projects?

Review their skills.

When you are hiring a web designer, make sure they are qualified to provide you with all the technical components your project needs. For example, web coding, forms coding, HTML newsletter integration, CMS platforms, and SEO are skills not all designers have.

What does their portfolio say about them?

If you are a serious web designer, then there is no excuse for not having your own custom portfolio website. Furthermore, a web designer’s portfolio should also be designed well and properly function since it is essentially the first piece of their work you will see. If their site does not impress you, chances are their gallery of work will not, either.

Is there a disconnect in their contact info?

A professional designer should have a professional email address. If applicants email you from a Yahoo or Gmail account, it is a safe bet that they will not take themselves or your project seriously. Also, if an applicant replies to a local posting but has a phone number from another area code, this too should raise some red flags.

You get what you pay for.

Talented designers who can deliver what is needed are professional, experienced, and should be compensated accordingly. Choosing a designer based on price alone holds the potential risk of receiving an ineffective or incomplete project. This could mean paying additional costs for a better designer or starting the whole design process over.

Now that you know where to look and what to look for in a web designer, you should be able to find a few suitable for your project.

Action Steps

– Find potential web designers on one of the suggested sites.

– Take a look at their portfolio to see if they are up to the task.

– Make sure they have the technical skills you will need.

– Be willing to pay a little more for quality design work and professionalism.