Choosing a Web Designer
Published on March 14, 2009 / Client Resources
Choosing a web designer can be a difficult process, especially for a client with a limited technical understanding. This guide outlines five essentials for a client to look for before settling on a web designer.
Essential 1 / Solid showcase of past work
A detail-driven portfolio gives an idea of the caliber of work a designer is capable of delivering. Be cautious of template designs and ensure that the designer has examples of custom work designed specifically for clients.
Essential 2 / Adherence to W3C standards
The World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) develops the standards for the Internet. Therefore, web designers are encouraged to follow these guidelines when coding a website. A failure to follow W3C protocols can result in cross-browser issues, deprecated code, and penalties from major search engines. So how can a client determine whether or not a web designer adheres to W3C standards? One way is to visit the W3C Markup Validation Service and enter a designer’s website address. Successfully passing validation is a good sign. When validation fails with several errors, it may be in the best interest of the client to find another web designer.
Essential 3 / Documented design process
A pre-documented outline of a project’s stages can comfort and assure a client by providing an advanced understanding of the designer’s planned approach. Knowing what to expect ahead of time helps eliminate unexpected steps during the pace of a project.
Essential 4 / Organization
This essential is key to structuring a project, estimating an accurate timeline, and meeting deadlines. Also important is visual organization, displaying a design in an arranged grid with a clear hierarchy of elements and content.
Essential 5 / Listening skills
A designer should value the knowledge and input of a client, and offer honest guidance to a client’s directives throughout a project. Initially, the designer should take into account the client’s goals, listen to the project’s needs and include them in a detailed proposal.
Simply knowing a web designer does not imply that he or she offers these essentials. One that does will have a strengthened approach in meeting a client’s objectives and fulfilling the desired outcome.
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very very nice
hey that’s a helpful blog….and i think that web designers should read it more because it is so essential to provide a good service to a client.
Very useful article. Another important criteria in choosing a professional web designer is their ability to design quick mock-ups and prototypes for your requirements. This is a very accurate indication of how well the web designer understands your requirements and gives the customer a feel of what the final website would look like at a very early stage in the project.
I like the point you mentioned about W2C compliance. However, the unfortunate part is that most buyers are not aware of using the W3C compliance as a means to judge a designer’s skills.
A good professional web designer will always follow a definite website plan with clearly defined milestones which allow the customer to be informed of the progress on the website at any stage of the project.
Last but not the least, the portfolio is a professional web designer is a great assessment tool to judge his/ her capabilities and experience. There’s a popular saying that ‘Experience never lies’ and it holds true for professional web designers as well.