Web Savvy Mama Blog: What do you want to learn today?

Do you have a topic you'd like to see covered? Feel free to drop me a note. Please make sure to mention that it's blog related in the message. If I pick your topic I'll include a link back to your website!

What to expect when working with a web designer….

Recently I chatted with Michelle Waters on Product Seller’s Radio about working with a web designer.

You can hear the interview online here: top 3 tips to building a productive relationship with a web designer

Picking a designer that suits your needs.
- Look at sites that you like and see who designed them.
- Get references from others in your field if possible. Ask the designer for client references if needed.
- Look at the designer’s portfolio to see if their style meshes with your own.
- Also look at time frame and prices, but realize you may have to pay more or wait longer to get what you want. But don’t let that deter you!

Know what you want!
- Have an idea of what type of website you are looking for. Will it be an e-commerce site, informational? If in doubt, ask.
- Know what features are important to you. Such as a search feature, a blog, message boards, catalogs set up a certain way? It’s important to bring up anything that you want to make sure is included during the planning process.
- Give input. Many store owners have an idea in their head of what they want, tell the designer. The designer wants to create a website that fits your idea. The more input you give the closer to your dream site the designer will get.
- It’s ok to give examples of sites you like! Sometimes this helps a designer picture what types of colors, layout and features you want. But a designer will not copy a site, if a designer is willing to do that think carefully about working with them.

A designer’s worst fear are the customers that say “I don’t know what I want.” Chances are it will be hard for the designer to create a winning site for the client if they have nothing to work from.

Getting Started.
- When you start working with a designer it is important to document all communications. If you talk on the phone feel free to send them an email as well outlining your conversation or asking for confirmation via email (or other method.) This helps ensure you are both on the same page and can be used as reference if there are questions down the road. In the case of a disagreement you’ll also be protected. Don’t be offended if asked to confirm something in an email, the designer is protecting themselves AND YOU.
- You will probably be asked to sign a contract and agree to terms of service. Read over these carefully so you know how you are protected and what you can expect. If they don’t ask you to sign one, ask them to write one up for you. It doesn’t have to be super official, it just needs to outline the services, policies and any special arrangements made between you.
- Ask about time frame. How long does the designer expect that the project will take? Are there set times for mini goals like mockups, logo creation, web implementation and finalizing?  Realize that sometimes things can take longer, but do expect communication from the designer if that happens.
- Talk about the pay schedule.  Ask when payment is due. Is it all due up front or is there a deposit and then payments? This should be outlined in the contract.
- Ask about the process of design.  Will they provide mockups? What information do they need form you at what step? When is a design considered “final” or “done”?

Once you are started, communication is a must!
- Number one rule, communicate often! Don’t wait a week to reply to your designer and expect that your designer get back to you in a reasonable about of time. Delaying of communication will delay your project past the quoted time schedule and the designer can not help this.
- Don’t feel like you are pestering your designer! I hear this comment a lot.  Designers want to hear your feedback. Even criticism is well received because it means the designer is ensured to create a website you, the client, will truly like.
- Ask for clarification. If you don’t understand something ask for further information.

Maintaining your site
- Will you be maintaining your site or will the designer? If you are maintaining your site will the designer teach you how or give you resources? If the designer is maintaining your site what is the fee for this?
- A designer may or may not be responsible for tings like domains, hosting, email, payment set up and other similar services. Clarify what they will or will not setup. Don’t assume everything is included. There may be extra fees for things like email set up, find out what those are.
- Continuing support. Will the designer be available for continued support? If you have a question will they be available to answer that for you and how are future questions and updates handled?

 

Technorati Tags: , ,

Leave a Reply


You must be logged in to post a comment.