Before You Hire a Web Designer: 5 Questions to Ask Yourself

Creating a new site? Do you need someone to make changes to the site? Or looking for someone to be an administrator of your website? A couple of questions may be asked when you are looking to change and create your business's vision. Before connecting with a web designer, there are a couple of more questions that you must ask yourself before starting the process. Here is a list of questions that you will have to ask yourself:

1. What is your vision of what you would like to see for your website?
2. What is your budget and timeline?
3. Do you have a branding or content ready?
4. How much involvement would you like to have in the site creation process?
5. Will you need an ongoing site after it is launched?

With these questions, it will be helpful in the long run when creating a plan or timeline for the project. Additionally, have a brief understanding of what is required to ensure that all the client's attributes or features are met. 

What is your vision of what you would like to see for your website?

Having an idea to show your business services and products to the world. Having some idea will make the process easier, and if it is well communicated, then the project may be completed sooner than expected. There are a few things that you can do to make it easier:

1. Have all the media you would like to include on the site. Even if your stock or royalty-free media.
2. Have a media kit ready. From that, the designer can gather the fonts that you would like to have for the site and the colors to be used.
3. Have some examples of sites, a couple of sites that you like, and a competitor's site.

The designer will be able to craft a couple of drafts to present to you, which could be your following site. 

What is your budget and timeline?

When working with a web designer, it's essential to keep your budget in mind. Requesting a detailed website with numerous pages and e-commerce features for selling products and services can increase costs and may necessitate adjusting the project timeline. The timeline also affects the overall price, since the designer estimates the time needed based on your specifications. If you need to expedite the project, additional fees may be charged.

 

Do you have a branding or content ready?

Having a brand and content ready is essential when creating a website. Having this information about the brands will make it easier to create the website. So, having a color scheme with up to 3 - 4 other colors besides black and white. Additionally, you will want to select a font that is easy to read. Additionally, having media ready to go, the more the better, is crucial when choosing to represent a business or a person's persona.

How much involvement would you like to have in the site creation process?

Involvement is always welcome, but it should be approached in a friendly and professional manner. Whether it is hands-on participation or having a meeting to exchange information and updates, clear communication is key. It is up to the web designer to determine how comfortable they are during the creative process. Some prefer minimal involvement, providing feedback only when milestones have been reached. On the other hand, others like to be involved from start to finish, offering input and ideas throughout the project. Flexibility and mutual understanding help ensure that the collaboration is successful and enjoyable for everyone involved. 

Will you need an ongoing site after it is launched?

It's always a good idea to consider this important aspect early on. Hiring a professional to back up your website's files can provide peace of mind, knowing your data is safe. Please note that an additional fee may apply for these services, which could be a one-time payment or a recurring monthly charge. Taking these steps can help ensure your website remains secure and well-maintained.

In conclusion

Before hiring a web designer, it's crucial to evaluate your needs and expectations to ensure project success. Begin by clarifying your vision—consider how you want your business, products, or services to be showcased online. Having a well-defined direction, along with prepared assets like media kits, brand colors, and sample websites, allows your designer to work more efficiently and creatively. Also, establishing a clear budget and timeline creates realistic expectations and helps prevent misunderstandings or delays. Finalizing your branding and content—such as imagery, fonts, messaging, and logos—save time and promote a consistent, professional brand presentation.

Think about your preferred level of involvement in the design process. Whether you wish to be fully engaged or prefer a hands-off approach, clear communication fosters better collaboration. Finally, consider the long-term: will you need ongoing support after the website launches? Planning for maintenance, updates, or backups now can save time and resources later. Addressing these key areas upfront demonstrates professionalism and preparedness, enabling your web designer to deliver a strategic, polished final product aligned with your long-term business goals.

Understanding Website Design Costs: What You're Really Paying For

Web design has a range of costs, either financial or in terms of time. Learning about different tools and programming languages can take some time, depending on your ability to understand and absorb information. There are several free tools, such as Phoenix, and you can use Notepad (by saving the file as HTML, which is covered in a separate post). You can use Google and other tools to learn HTML, CSS, and JavaScript to help create and organize the page. On the other hand, hiring someone who has this knowledge would make it a lot easier, which can be less stressful. To make things easier, templates can be used in the design process. They can be either a fully functional, designed site or a wireframe to get the design started. It would be pointless if you don't know what you are doing or if you don't understand the tools that can be used. 

The Tools and Knowledge 

    One of the first things that needs to be learned is "what is HTML?", which is Hypertext Markup Language. Learning what that is, and understanding that you can declare different variables to change the characteristics and behavior of the text. Over the years, new languages were integrated with it to perform the same tasks and add even more functionality. Then, CSS (Cascading Style Sheets) emerged, allowing for even more configurations and modifications to the text. An excellent resource for learning more about HTML and CSS is w3schools.com. These files can be easily created with Notepad. There are also some paid applications and some freeware (free applications) that can assist with organizing files and adding allowed visuals.

Freeware for HTML editors ( in my opinion):

•  BlueFish (cool app, but I am a visual person)
•  Phoenix Code  (excellent tool, also you can preview as you code, which is also a hybrid)
•  Visual Studio (another fantastic tool for developers and experienced users)

 

Online Freeware HTML editor

•  w3schools.com

Non-Coding (The ones that are listed are free at first, but also offer a subscription_

•  Wix.com
•  Webflow
•  NicePage.com

 These are excellent tools for DIY enthusiasts and individuals who enjoy hands-on project work. Knowing and understanding the tools that are to help create the website. 

Money and more stress

In addition to the cost of your time and stress, there are also the costs behind the scenes. The hosting services and add-ons will be factored into the price, depending on the company's specific needs. For example, a contractor may use project management software that allows their clients to sign documents. This is another cost, being that a third party is getting involved. Here is a quote from Leadpages:

The diagram shows some estimated costs of running a website, but most sites usually combine some parts together. Other factors that a person needs to take note of about the cost of designing a website, according to convergine.com, are:

1. The scope and complexity
2. Design customization level
3. Functionality and features
4. Content Volume and Creation
5. Responsive requirements
6. Timeline
7. Agency experience
8. After care - maintenance needs
9. comminucation
10. Third-party integration

The scope and complexity

Having a clear scope for a website would help clarify the end goal that the client wants to convey about their business. Depending on the scope, it can lead to a site becoming quite complex, wanting the razzle-dazzle, but with limitations, either due to the designer or it can be overwhelming. 

Design Customization Level

The level of customization can be a limitation that is difficult to overcome. Using CSS and understanding it can bring visual customization to the site, such as different scroll effects or having the mouse cursor behave in a certain way while hovering over items on the webpage. If you would like to have more complex customizations, learning JavaScript and PHP is a significant part of the process. On the other hand, you have applications like Wix and Nicepage that can make it easier without coding. 

Functions and Features

Functions and features are discussed while gathering information from the scope. The client will listen to all their need, as well as some of their wants. What is needed are costs that align with expectations, such as a booking feature for a barber or some type of service contractor, for instance, if you are using an application like Wix. On the other hand, there are the client's wants that may incur unexpected costs, such as using an add-on for a form or setting up a feature like a chatbot. Using Zapier, some other service to create and configure the chatbot with additional services

Content Volume and Creation

One of the main factors that attracts visitors to a site is the quantity of content it offers. Likewise, having a presence on social media, the site has to have the same or more content. For example, a poet may simply have their books on their site, but they would also want to display media from recent events or posts that they have on their Facebook or Instagram account. They may have exclusive content for the site only, which will attract visitors and encourage others to visit as well. The amount of media that the client may have can also overwhelm the site's design. But the more the merrier, there is a way to have what they want to display.

Responsive Requirments

Adding the Responsive requirements can be time-consuming, but it should be something that is part of the finished product. The client needs to maximize the site's potential, enabling users to access information on various devices and platforms.

Timeline

The timeline is critical to web design and will affect the cost. One way is that if the client prefers a quicker turnaround, more resources would need to be dedicated to expedite the process and achieve the desired end result. But it will put it at a greater risk of something going wrong and not meeting the deadline. On the other hand, there are ways to avoid missing the deadline. One way is to set up a buffer, adding a day or two to account for a deadline or milestone. 

Agency Experience

Website design costs depend on the designer's experience, with experienced professionals charging higher fees due to their advanced skills and proven track records. In contrast, less experienced designers may offer lower rates, which can impact the quality of detail, creativity, or deadline efficiency. Professionalism is essential, encompassing clear communication, adherence to timelines, prompt feedback, responsiveness, and effective management of challenges. This approach fosters positive relationships and ensures a smooth, goal-oriented process, ultimately leading to a final product that meets or exceeds client expectations.

After care - maintenance needs

Another essential cost is maintenance and aftercare, as well as creating a disaster recovery plan, so that a business can have confidence in its ability to continue running smoothly. Also being able to make changes to a site when needed, either for grammatical errors or misspellings. Some may include it as part of the service or charge an additional fee. 

Comminucation

Maintaining continuous communication is vital for the success of both the client and the project. A lack of communication can result in wasted time and money, potentially leading to delays in site completion for the client. 

Third-party integration

When designing a website, having a third-party integration can appear to be a cost-saver. For example, having software like Dubsado, which allows me to create a form that I can use on a website to capture data and integrate it with their software to track leads. Not only would it be a monetary cost, but also a time-consuming one when designing.

In conclusion

Whether one is constructing a website independently or engaging the services of a professional, it is essential to understand the tools, time, and financial investment required for web design. Ranging from mastering HTML and CSS to utilizing platforms like Wix and Webflow, there are numerous pathways to creating a functional and engaging site. However, every project encompasses its own scope, complexity, and technical requirements, all of which impact costs, timelines, and overall success. As a freelance web designer, my objective is to simplify this process by guiding clients through the design journey with clear communication, tailored solutions, and a commitment to delivering results that resonate with their brand and business objectives. By implementing the appropriate strategy and support, your website has the potential to evolve into a powerful and scalable asset, rather than merely an additional expense.

Why Your Small Business Needs a Professional Website

I'm new to this, so please bear with me as I blog. This topic has been pressing for years for small business owners: Is it better to create a page on a social media platform like Facebook, X (formerly known as Twitter), or LinkedIn? Hosting a website can be expensive (not just in cost but also in know-how) for a small business. They can both be beneficial in numerous ways, and they can also work together to attract customers.

When I'm on social media, I receive a notification to follow a friend's page, which often turns out to be a small business venture they've started.  Then, when I go to their page, I see no website. If they have goods, they usually share them via the ma
rketplace or want the person to contact them directly. I can see some of the advantages of using social media. With social media, you can engage with your clientele and provide a brief overview of your business live without the cost of hosting a site or the extra overhead associated with it. However, one major drawback is that you are limited in the products you can sell, as you must abide by the platform's rules and regulations. Additionally, what about individuals who do not have social media accounts? With those limits, you are reaching part of your potential.

On the other hand, having a website can be costly.  Either have someone build one for you and your brand or attempt to do it yourself. It will cost time and money, but it is yours. You don't have to be restricted by what you sell due to rules and regulations or pay additional fees through specific platforms. Don't get me wrong, there are some restrictions, but that's only if you're hosting through a service like Wix or Bluehost, as they have different storage tiers. 

In all, they both have their pros and cons for using them. Social media is an excellent tool for engaging users and providing a brief overview of your company, goods, and services. However, there are limits to what you can show and the information you can provide. When it comes to hosting or creating a website, you can provide more information about your business, including your goods and services. It can be used as a hub for other social media platforms. Overall, both are great tools. They can be used to share your information with the world and to engage with your clients, generating new leads.

About Me and My Why...

Hello World, my name is Davalle. I have been in the IT industry for years as a Technical Support Engineer, starting after graduating from Fayetteville State University with a Bachelor of Business Administration degree, with a concentration in Management Information Systems. I have held numerous positions throughout my career, all of which have been award-winning, from the people I have worked with to the clients. On the other hand, I am a gamer, and I have recently transitioned from a home console, such as the PS5, to a PC. Although I stream primarily on weekends, I play because it allows me to escape into a different world, which serves as a form of relaxation.

 Sometimes I feel like I'm stuck; no matter how many certifications I've studied for or received, I still feel as though I'm stuck. After many years, I have decided to return to college and have enrolled in a Master's Program at UMGC, focusing on a Master's in Management Information Systems. I have learned many theories about organizations and various management styles, ranging from operations to team management. Additionally, in a few positions, I had the opportunity to collaborate with the implementation team and assist customers with integrating software into their production processes, as well as provide training on a couple of occasions. In the process of all this, I learned more about designing websites and started using tools like Dreamweaver to develop different pages. I then began using others, such as Wix and WordPress. Then, I went down the rabbit hole even further. Growing the passion to help others achieve their vision with their site.

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