Finding a great web designer isn’t getting any easier. While the FCC is clamping down on illegitimate websites that make false promises and claims, there isn’t much they can do about the thousands of phonies donning a fake “Web Development Specialist” cap who deliver sites an 8th grader could build during a two-hour computer class at school.
If you don’t choose the right designer, there’s no telling what kind of toll it can take on your business including missed deadlines, negative branding, lost cash and potential hours of time communicating back and forth with a non-professional that you’ll never be able to get back.
Let me help to guide you with a few sage words of wisdom from someone whose worked with dozens of outsourcers, including web designers over the years:
1. Don’t use your gut.
I’m presuming that you’re not an a-list designer yourself, or you probably already know how to scrutinize your own candidates better than the majority of web masters out there. So, unless you’re really experienced and know just how to pick the brains of your prospective help, it’s important to leave most of your instinct at the door when interviewing and researching for a great web designer. Use the following tips to find the best candidate.
2. Don’t pick the first person/firm you find.
Or pick the first one who contacts you after you place an ad. As a writer who’s seen how many outsourcers operate, and as someone whose hired developers himself, I can tell you that most business owners are lazy and will do just that. Hire the first person or company that seems competent, maybe with a screenshot or two of their “past work” to support their decision. You can get screwed over by any stranger at any time, but picking the first one you hear from doubles your risk — particularly since most of the good and bad ones require a down payment (I’m not talking someone you hired off Freelancer here). Read this article about ignoring the urge to avoid looking for reasons not to hire someone.
3. Always, always, always get references.
If you’re someone who strictly runs online businesses, perhaps you prefer to never pick up a phone and call a real person. But actually talking to real people whose names and businesses you can easily verify via the web, social media, business contacts, etcetera — and getting their professional opinion about the designer you’re entertaining hiring — is the easiest way to determine if someone’s legit and worth looking into further, or not. Ask real questions and don’t settle for generic opinions and comments either (ie., “They’re great”, “Very professional designer”, “Top notch work”, “Highly recommended”, and so on).
4. Verify references, then verify their work.
There’s not much I can do to help you along this process. Some outsourcers are happy checking one or two references, checking out a few social media platforms and then spending a few minutes pouring through some of the designer’s previous work. This approach is fine, as long as the references check out and you’re sure you’re dealing with a real designer.
I always a search using the terms “Designer/Company Name + Forums” to see what sort of positive or negative chatter is circulating about the designer and their team. As with most due-diligence, a few negatives are going to tell you a lot more than 100’s of glowing reviews. Fake reviews are still very much of the equation online and probably always will be.
5. Test their customer service level.
You might have a good sense of their service level and practices by now. However, why not test it out for yourself before laying your money down? The lazy, rude and/or arrogant types won’t be able to hide behind the veil they wear if you present yourself as somewhat demanding and particular.
Don’t ask for every bit of info you need in the first email or phone call. Get their references first, then follow up with more questions about the service and how they can meet your needs a minimum of 3 times (more is better to truly test their service levels and patience). Again, if you have to lay out money to get a project rolling, or know upfront you’ll likely require multiple revisions to see your vision met, you don’t want to stake the entire project on a flaky-faker-type who knows how to play nice until things start to not go the way they want it to (ie., no muss, no fuss — they do work, you don’t complain or bug them — rinse and repeat with the next customer).
6. Ask what assurances you can expect from them quality and service wise.
Many fly-by-nighters have learned to be upfront with clients about what they will and won’t do. You’ll see plenty of hair-brained policies from non-customer-oriented designers like “No revisions unless I/We make a mistake on something” and others just like it. Basically, they reserve the right to tell you to pee-off if they don’t like your request — after they’ve received payment of course.
Ask lots of questions including the following:
- What times (including their timezone) can they be contacted?
- Do they ever hire outsourcers to complete any aspects of the design work?
- Do they offer any ongoing support after the project is delivered?
- How many free revisions and what is the cost of corrections thereafter?
- Do they offer hosted design packages with site updates and maintenance?
- Will they stand by their code if your site crashes and it’s found there was a problem such as a vulnerability in the original design?
The above assurances and add-ons might not apply to your needs, depending on your budget for the project. But as with everything else I’ve suggested; you want to find out these details now, rather than just assuming the developer or team of developers are at your complete disposal until you’re 100% satisfied.
Follow the tips outlined above and you might just find the rare “stud” in a sea of “duds” keen on taking your money. Good luck!
Main Image Credit: WOCinTech/Flickr
