Creating a website is a big deal – so we want to make sure you do it right. In this blog post we’ll be diving into why you might need to hire a website designer, some tips on picking the right one for you and a number of other informative points! Launching a website for any venture is something to be excited about, as you put yourself and your brand out there onto the internet for public consumption. Research found that 75% of your online presence credibility is based on your website – making it that much more important to make sure it’s done right. Hiring a web designer might be really something to consider.

Whether you’re an entrepreneur, designer, businessman or restaurant owner, having an outstanding website is almost crucial to the success of your venture. With the boom in technology and virtually everything now being digitized – your website is the likely base point for most of your prospective and current clients. Designing and running a website is no simple task, and it requires a highly skilled professional to produce one that is both appealing and user friendly.

Websites are usually designed by graphic designers, website developers or coders. And although there are a number of handy websites available that will allow you to customize your website in a relatively simple way, these websites are usually not up to standard of current day competition. In the case that you yourself don’t know how to code, you might want to consider hiring some professional help to get your website into tip top shape!

Why should I hire a website designer?

If you want to create a website that is user friendly, visually appealing, and effective in reaching your desired customers, it is important to consider hiring a website designer. Even if you have already build a website with Wordpress, WIX or other service, then a web designer will know how to help you.

A professional web designer will be able to ensure that the site meets your needs and goals in terms of design, functionality and usability. They can also provide valuable insights into the latest trends and technologies available for website building.

Furthermore, they will have the necessary skills to optimize your site for search engines so it can easily be found by potential customers. For example, they can help to optimize the site for speed, usability and SEO. Additionally, with their help you can create a unique website design that stands out from your competition. In short, hiring a website designer can help you create an effective and successful online presence that will bring more customers to your business.

Knowing when to hire a web designer

So when do you know when to hire a web designer? Knowing when to hire a web designer is an important decision for any business or individual. A web designer can create an attractive and functional website that meets your needs, but the cost of hiring one can be expensive.

If you have a limited budget, it may be better to attempt to design the website yourself using simple tools or templates.

However, if you need something more complex or need help with certain aspects of design, such as coding, a complex webshop or more dynamic content, a web designer will be able to provide the knowledge and skills necessary to get the job done. They can also advise on how best to promote your site and make it easier for people to find you online. Ultimately, it’s up to you whether you decide to hire a web designer or not – just make sure you have enough resources at your disposal before making a decision.

Do I need a web designer of web developer?

Whether you need a website designer or a web developer depends on the scope of your project. A web designer is typically responsible for developing the overall look and feel of your website, while a web developer focuses more on the technical aspects such as coding and setting up databases.

If you are looking to create an aesthetically pleasing website with minimal functionality, then you should hire a web designer. However, if you have complex needs such as eCommerce functionality, custom applications or database integration then it would be wise to hire a web developer. Ultimately, it comes down to what features and functionality your project requires as well as how much money you are willing to spend.

What does a web designer cost?

The cost of a web designer depends on various factors, such as the complexity of the project, the designer’s experience level, and the scope of work.

According to ripemedia, freelance web designers typically charge between $27 to $180 per hour, with an average rate of around $75 per hour. The rate of a web designer can depend on a number of factors, such as their level of experience and expertise, the complexity of the project, the number of pages or features of a website, as well as the turnaround time.

Experienced web designers typically charge more than those who are just starting out, as they are able to bring more to the table in terms of technical knowledge and design creativity. Web designers may also charge more for more complex projects, as they can require more time and effort to complete. The number of pages and features of a website can affect the rate of a web designer, as more complex sites can require more time and effort. The turnaround time of a project can also be a factor in the rate, as projects that require a shorter timeline can require additional resources to meet the requirements.

Finding the right designer for you

You might think that it is not particularly important which website designer you pick, but rather that they possess the necessary skills. However, this is not the case. Essentially, your website designer will be responsible for bringing your brand to life – digitally. They’ll be responsible for setting the atmosphere and tone of the site, as well as the overall customer experience.

With this in mind, it is important that your website designer is increasingly familiar with your brand, your vision, goals and ethics. The right designer creates more than just a website and is now involved in branding more than ever before. They will be responsible for the mood, atmosphere and tone of the primary landing space of your entire brand or business.

With competition heightening each and every day, it’s important to make sure that your brand stands out from the rest. Clients and customers are not only looking for a product or service but an experience. With the right website designer, you can make that happen for yourself and your business.

Things to consider before hiring a web designer

Taking the first step of hiring a web designer can be daunting, so we’ve put together a list of things to consider before starting the process.

When you shouldn’t hire a web designer:

In the case that you would like to have a new website but for some reason cannot invest in a full time web designer at this time, there are a number of handy sites that you can use without having to pay a premium. These sites work as great starting points for any and all website types, and don’t require any prior training or experience with website building. Some examples include SquareSpace, Weebly and Wix to name a few.

What to look out for when choosing a designer

Although the internet is an exceptionally resourceful place, you can encounter offers that are not up to standard. To ensure that you find a skilled designer that is suited to you, make sure to write down a list of predetermined criteria you’re looking for before hiring. 

As a starting point, we recommend you require:

A decent sized portfolio of previous work

One of the easiest ways to survey the qualities of a designer is by taking a look at their portfolio. Designers that are professional should have a portfolio of their past work to present to potential clients. By taking a look at their portfolio you should be able to determine whether they possess the skills or aesthetic you would like your website to have. Try and look for designers with portfolios on websites like Behance or Dribbble.

4/5 star reviews from past clients

Asking for references is a great way to judge the technicalities and experience of working with a given designer. Past clients should be able to comment on the overall disposition of the client throughout a prior collaboration, whether they were able to deliver according to budget and deadlines, and how they interacted with others. Try talking to at least 2-3 different references to get a broad scope and not just one opinion.

Adequate qualifications or experience

Perhaps you are interested in a specific feature on your site that requires a particular skill set to create. Prior to hiring a designer, make sure you lay out all your expectations in order to see whether they are capable of bringing it to fruition. Universal skills that most designers possess include the ability to communicate ideas via reports, prototypes and wireframes. However, JavaScript and other coding languages are a unique skillset that is not familiar to all web designers.

Extensive experience with SEO

SEO or search engine optimization is one of the most crucial components of a website and ensures that your site is marketable and has a boosted visibility amongst the competition. Having a website designer that knows and understands SEO will have a significant impact on the amount of organic traffic you are able to drive to your website.

Where to hire a web designer?

A few places that are definitely worth checking out when you’re searching for a web designer are Fiverr and Upwork. We cover both marketplaces more in depth in this article about hiring a graphic designer and hiring a virtual assistant.