Deciding on the Particulars – Part 3 of 3 in Your Ultimate Hiring Guide
Now that you’ve decided on a website design or search engine optimization (SEO) firm, let’s talk about how to work with your project manager and designer. It can be difficult to manage something that does not lie in the scope of your own expertise, like the inner workings that will make your website functional or how to design a captivating theme that adequately reflects your product or service mix.
The areas where you may not understand how or what to ask for, but where you do have an opinion can best be handled through examples. When you don’t have an opinion, chat with the website developer to share what you’d like to accomplish and see what he or she comes up with for your approval. It’s also worth noting that dictating exactly what you want on your website is not overstepping bounds, it is helpful to designers and developers who want to execute your vision. It’s helpful to point out examples of what you like. After all, think of how many renditions you would receive if you asked one hundred designers to draw a tall man, thin man with brown hair and blue eyes… you’ll get close to one hundred different results. Specificity is good; examples are even better.
Your online presence is broken down into three main components, 1) image 2) functionality, and 3) optimization. The component that “faces” your customer base through the screen, is of course, your image.
Artists’ work varies, from Vincent Van Gogh’s Scream to Andy Warhol’s Campbell’s Soup Cans, all of it vastly different; all of it considered valuable art in its own right. Each web designer will also have a signature style, which is why it’s important to view a company’s work as a whole, but ask to use the specific designer whose examples you gravitate toward.
By all means, bring in samples, examples, or a wish list. We’ve seen everything from a piece of fabric or photo to inspire the visual components of a website, to examples of other websites that aren’t remotely connected to the company’s industry, but really excite the business in terms of look and style.
You’re given a blank canvas—when designing the face of your business, consider what the experts tell you in terms of color play and design characteristics, but be true to your vision and your instinct when deciding upon what your image will become. Poise yourself to convey your thoughts and then, because you’ve already done your homework on them, sit back and let the company turn your ideas into magic.
Commencing Your Search – Part 2 of 3 in Your Ultimate Hiring Guide
Last time, we talked about defining what you’d like to accomplish with your website, from outlining your needs to deciding on budget. The next step is to find someone to clearly hear, understand, expand upon, and execute your ideas. There are generally four ways you can go about choosing a designer or website design company to build your website:
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- 1. Contact a referral from someone you know and trust
- 2. Snag a designer whose work you’ve seen on another site
- 3. Scour the Internet with key search words
- 4. Respond to an advertisement or solicitation
There’s no one “right” way to find a reputable website design firm or social media marketing agency. Once you’ve completed your initial worksheet (see our last blog post for a three-step worksheet) that outlines what you need to accomplish, we suggest that you interview a minimum of two website design agencies to see who can add value and zing! to your ideas.
Consider these questions when selecting companies or freelance web designers to interview:
Is personal interaction important for you during the development phases of your website?
You’ll be able to slash millions of choices from your search if your preference is to work with a local design company or freelance developer. Additionally, laying eyes on the development team does bring many people a certain peace of mind about their project. If the design team lives and works in the same geographic circles, there seems to be a stronger sense of accountability and access. There’s also a chance to develop a trust factor because it removes anonymity from the equation.
If you’ve scoured the web, you’ll also find that you can farm the work out overseas, generally at lower rates. If you choose this option, try to go with a freelancer or company who has done good work for someone you know, speaks and writes fluently in your desired language, and will deliver your product and passwords prior to your submitting a final substantial payment, as many U.S. business-centered laws will not protect you internationally if someone under-delivers or walks away with your money.
What is the condition or state of other websites this firm is responsible for developing and providing upkeep?
Of course a disproportionate number of people request references and then never actually follow up with a phone call or email. Why not? One of the best representations of a company is its past and present work. Check out a company’s portfolio and ask them whom you can contact directly to ask a few questions.
How quickly and thoroughly does the company respond to your requests for information during this hiring phase?
You can tell a lot about a company by how it handles potential customers. If they are too busy to answer your questions and help you feel comfortable and confident about your hiring decisions, what would cause you to believe their levels of availability and concern would increase once you’ve hired them? Companies tell you a lot without even trying. We would encourage you to pay attention to this vetting process and follow your instincts.
Next up, we take a look at how you can manage your website design process without hindering the company’s progress for you.