Effective web designers create eye-catching websites that help clients address their business goals. Since 38% of visitors stop engaging with a site if the layout or content isn’t attractive to the user, investing in your website design is essential for lead generation and conversion.
Why do I Need a Website Designer?
You’re ready to build your website, but you aren’t sure if you should find a local, experienced web designer. Here are four signs that you should hire a designer right away:
- You don’t have the experience to build your own website.
- You don’t have the time to use a website maker.
- You don’t know how to drive results to your website.
- You want your website to stand out from the competition.
Philadelphia web design company, The 215 Guys can create stunning, unique websites that set your brand apart from the other businesses in your industry. What’s more, they’ll optimize your website with SEO practices that will help your site rank on search engines.
How do I Find a Local Web Designer?
The best local web designers will be able to sell to your target demographic. To find a designer who can meet your needs and design specifications, do the following.
Set a Budget
There’s no such thing as industry standard pricing for how much a website should cost, so you need to know what your upper limit is. The size of your budget determines what you want out of the project, where you’ll get your website from (i.e., freelancer or agency).
Designer Type
Freelancers, design agencies, and full-service agencies and the most common web design service providers. Each designer type comes with its own positives and negatives:
Freelancers
It will generally be the cheapest option, excluding well-known and sought-after designers. Freelancers are typically communicative and accommodating.
Design Agencies
This is made up of small to medium-sized teams that work together on a project. Professional design agencies offer customization and quick turnaround times.
Full-Service Agencies
Includes PPC advertising, SEO marketing, and other digital marketing services as well as web design. Their results are typically more cohesive.
We recommend hiring a freelancer or design agency if you’re working with a tight budget. Most companies won’t publish their prices online, so you’ll have to compare and see which company fits your budget. Switch to a full-service agency once you have a steady cash flow.
Look for Appropriate Skill Sets
Not all designers will include terminology like “mobile-first design” on their website, but look for buzzwords like “mobile-friendly.” You’ll want your website to have this feature, as 79% of smartphone users in 2021 have used their mobile devices to purchase goods or services.
Your web designer of choice should also know how to use a content management system (for website updates), HTML and CSS (for coding), SEO (for ranking), and Adobe Creative Suite (for graphics). If they aren’t proficient in these skills, look for another designer.
Compare Portfolios
When evaluating design portfolios, keep in mind that some designs won’t fit your taste. However, if they have experience in your industry, they’ll be able to tweak their designs to reflect your brand. Look for diverse work samples, as this will distinguish the most talented designers.
Contact the Designer’s Past Clients
Viewing a designer’s portfolio can help you build a list of references. Before hiring a designer, contact a few of their past clients to ask about their own experiences. Did they like working with the designer? Did the designer offer a face-to-face service, or did they conduct business online?
If the designer’s previous clients are able to answer questions about timeliness, the scope of work, and website performance, you’ll have a better idea if you’ll also enjoy working with them.
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