This post is the last in a 4-part series outlining the essential steps in getting a website up and running. If you missed our posts on how to choose a web host, how to choose a domain name and how to register a domain name, we suggest you have a look at those first.
Websites, and for that matter, the internet, are still a relatively new concept to a lot of traditional businesses and business owners. However, not embracing the power the internet provides you and your business can be a fatal mistake. The web world is often the cheapest and most efficient realm to create distance and diversity from your competitors. Often, all it takes is a set of graphics to slap on your homepage to give you that professional edge – running an old-fashioned and sloppy looking website can be worse than not having a website at all. Think of your website as a store – would you want your prospective customers walking into a garbage heap?
It is absolutely crucial to hire a web designer who knows what they’re doing, and critical to allow enough of a budget to have a decent website built. Too many times have I encountered business owners who are looking to have a website created, only to find out they want to see what can be done for $500. I reply, “How about we stick your logo on a blank white page with your phone number beneath it.” Of course, I don’t actually say this, but what I do say is that with a budget like that nobody can create a decent looking website that draws and not repels prospective customers. Plus, it’s not going to do us any favors designing a site we’re not proud of. Ours and every other web designer’s credibility are at stake.
You may have heard that businesses sometimes source out design work to college students who can often do work for cheap. Occasionally, this may work. However, most students willing to take on this work view it much like any other part-time job while in college. They’re in it to make a few bucks to help get them through school and when that’s done, so are they. It isn’t uncommon to hear of businesses being left high and dry by student designers who have moved on to other things, leaving their clients’ websites stale and in dire need of updates. You do not want to be that business owner who is desperately trying to get his latest promotion on his site but is unable to do so for lack of contact with his web designer.
You’ll also want to make sure your designer knows what they’re doing and has some experience. Most designers have a viewable online portfolio of previous clients – that usually provides a glimpse into their abilities. Before contacting a designer, however, try and pick out some sample websites you’ve come across in your net travels that you like the look and functionality of. Don’t limit yourself to your specific industry – you have billions to choose from out there! Approach a prospective web designer with some of these examples and see if they are up to the task of creating something like that for you.
***IMPORTANT***
Make sure the web designer has a basic understanding of SEO concepts during the design process. Ensure they are familiar with SEO-friendly design and do not limit their design work to solely Javascript and Flash elements. The worst thing you could do is end up with a site that will never be picked up by Google and the other search engines for lack of spiderable (search engine readable) content. Have the designer guarantee you that most of the site will be SEO-friendly. Also, ensure the web designer can make backups of your website data and provide you with this in case of emergency.
I’m sure many of you reading this are wondering about cost. The size of the site dictates this, as well as the complexity and experience level of the web designer. For a decent-looking, functional, SEO friendly site that you will be proud of, a rough estimate for a smaller site would be a starting budget of around $1500-$2000.
Do not skimp on this element of your business. A major part of your credibility is being judged by the look of your website, and trying to save a few hundred dollars on your website could very well prove disastrous in the long run.
Tags: how to hire a web designer, web design, web design vancouver
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