One question to ask yourself before hiring a website designer
If there’s one thing I love hearing from people it’s, “I need a website.”
If that’s you, I’d like to be the first to say, “YES, YOU DO!”
There are many individuals and small businesses out there that don’t have a website but they really should have one. Actually, they need one!
Or maybe they have one already but it’s not providing their website visitors the information they are really looking for.
So, if you are in either situation described above, I’d like to ask you to consider…
how much are you willing to invest in website design?
To help guide you while you ponder that question, please see below for a brief website design guide:
1. Content
Side note: It might be because I love writing and organizing words, but I blush whenever I hear this word!
If you know you need a website, you also most likely know what information you’d like to provide. And if you don’t, now is the time to start thinking about it.
Tånom’s web design packages include processes to help you build content.
2. Copywriting
Copywriting, or “copy”, is the language on your website that is written specifically to increase awareness of your brand and persuade your website visitors to take action.
Maybe you have all the information regarding your website topic, but you’re not exactly a wordsmith. You will want to consider working with a web designer who provides copywriting services (*ahems*).
3. Quality photos
Yes, everyone has a phone with a camera on it these days. But can everyone take quality pictures? I’m pretty sure you know what I mean. Think of that friend you ALWAYS ask to take group selfies with because they always get the angle right.
Well, something like that.
Attractive and cohesive photos not only look good, but they will stimulate your website visitor and evoke emotion.
Imagine this: your website visitor clicks on a link that leads to your website. But, she only has 5 seconds to stay on your website because she happens to be on the go. Those 5 seconds will stick with her until she have a moment to themselves and remember, “Oh yeah! Let me get back to that great-looking website I visited earlier.”
You especially need to have quality photos if you’re selling products.
You can consider learning to take quality photos on your phone or you can hire a professional photographer. Whatever you do, make sure you have great photos that your web designer can work with.
4. Brand identity
Another side note: These are another two words that make me blush! I think this is because I am quite the nerd for cohesiveness and consistency.
There are web designers out there that can help you define your brand identity (*ahems again*), but if you already have worked with someone to establish this, this is also very good!
When used correctly, your brand identity helps you/your business become easily recognizable. It creates consistency across your website and any social media platforms that you utilize.
5. Domain
Nothing in life is free (ok, maybe some things) and this includes your domain name.
There are some lucky bees out there that pay only a few cents each year for their URL, others a few dollars, and others A LOT more dollars.
If you don’t have a domain or url just yet, make a list of all your domain options. Tånom’s web design packages can help guide you in attaining the best domain option for you/your business.
6. Website hosting
We already established that I’m a nerd of sorts, well, here’s another sort.
When I first built websites in the early 2000s, I gladly started off by taking html coding workshops and spent hours on my home computer implementing coding that I learned for my free Geocities website.
Now, website hosting is much simpler and is the reason why I’ve returned to building websites.
There are several website hosting services out there that are all great (some free but most are not) so make sure your web designer will be able to identify which website hosting service is best for your needs.
7. Website management
Say that you’ve hired a web designer and your website is up and running and everything you ever dreamed of! When your website needs updating, who on your team will be applying these changes?
A web designer’s job is typically to build your website and hand it off for you to manage. Since all the hard stuff is done, managing and updating your website is typically the easy part. But, if you don’t consider yourself “tech savvy,” you can assign managing your website to someone else on your team. If these options are slim to none, talk with your web designer about retainer fees, VIP days or hourly work where you can re-hire your web designer for website management work in the future.
8. Timeline
Let’s go back to the question I first asked you to consider, “how much are you willing to invest in website design?” Investing is not only about finances, it’s also about time. If you don’t want to spend so much time working with a web designer, that’s great! I’m sure your designer would prefer to get the job done sooner than later.
Keep in mind that web design is in high demand so spaces to work with your preferred designer may be limited. I advise you to get in touch with a designer as soon as you get clear about your website goals.
Need help deciding on your website goals? Schedule a free 15 minute consultation call by filling out this form.You might also find this helpful: