Web site designer checklist

Web site designers, especially in Seattle can be very expensive. Since this site is focused on helping new business owners steer clear of common mistakes when choosing a web site designer, below is a checklist that will help you avoid costly mistakes.

Web site designer should understand your small business goals

Nothing is more frustrating than asking a web designer to build a website around your company's goals, only to have him ask a few basic questions about what colors you'd like and the kinds of images. This glossing over and superficial approach is a sign of a web designer that is not interested in how your web site achieves its goals. You should expect nothing less than an in depth analysis of what you want to accomplish from the web site. A deep understanding of who your client or potential clients will be, the demographic data and needs of your clients should be at the forefront of his focus when going through the site's initial framework and structure.

Remember that a web site is not just a cool thing to say that you have, but rather it should be seen as an extension of your small business. It should be geared to compete with your strongest competitor and it should send a clear and concise message to your potential clients. A website is an inanimate thing, therefore you have to rely on a strong message and get it across quickly, while at the same time ensuring that, in the mind of your visitor, he knows why he should be doing business with your company.

Web designer should use best web standards and practices

This is more important than you might think. Consider this: Would you feel confident going to a surgeon to have your appendix removed if he was still using out dated equipment? The internet is constantly morphing and a good web designer will be keeping up on the best practices and trends when designing your web site, so as offer you the fastest loading, most compliant web site he can deliver.

Run from the web designer or developer who still uses tables for designing your web site. You are in for expensive maintenance costs if you want to add additional features and functionality to your web site because if the code is poorly formed and badly structured then your site is that much harder and more costly to maintain. You should expect that he be willing to validate your web site against W3C standards (which are standards for best coding and design practices) and if he is not willing to do so, then you should find another web site designer.

Website designer must know SEO best practices

Web site designers who understand SEO (Search Engine Optimization) practices will add more value to your web site project than a guy who can build a killer looking site but is clueless about SEO. SEO is the practice of building web sites that are optimized for ranking well in the search engines. Now, let us be realistic here: Don't expect a web designer to get your page ranked at the top of the search engines results pages overnight. A lot depends on how well your content of your site is structured, the quality of your web site content and many, many other factors.

Your web designer should be willing and able to sit down with you and talk about your SEO strategy. Even if he is not an SEO expert he must be willing to do some research for you and advise you of the best approach possible or direct you to someone who can collaborate your marketing strategy with a successful site structure with good code to match.

Web site designer must use color well

Web site designers who do not have a good eye for color will have a much harder time making your site look professional and send a good clear message to the your site visitors. Correct choice of colors will depend on the message you are trying to send as well as the type of client you are targeting. Color can be emotional triggers and can instill confidence and trust, whereas a mix of just random colors will often annoy your visitors and ultimately lessen your web site's impact. It could very easily tarnish a professional image you may be seeking.

Website designer must be upfront and honest about pricing and offer good service

Web sites can get expensive. Most Seattle web site design firms charge more than the value of the service they provide and leave the client will a hole in his/her pocket and a mediocre web site to match. There is nothing wrong with using a small firm or free lance designer, provided he is thorough and follows good web standards. In all honesty, the one man show or small firm will more often than not out do the larger firms and have better levels of communication than the large firms who most often are run by managers who are clueless about building a solid web site.

Get a contract and a quote in writing, up front. Ask for a mockup design of what he proposes to do for you. This way you will know if he is the right designer for you right at the start. Most jobs are going to be somewhat open ended contracts because the possibility always exists that you may require additional services or more pages. A solid quotation and good communication go a long way to happy business relationships. Make sure that the designer has integrity and is honest. You don't want any surprises.

Well, there is quite a bit more I could say on the subject, but if I did this would be a book. These are the most common points that I felt are important ones and I hope this article has helped somewhat.

By Roger Samboer

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