How to Hire a Web Designer in 2023: A Comprehensive Guide

A new website is built every three seconds. But will it successfully fulfill its business goals that fast? The answer depends on its design a lot. 

A well-designed website helps you establish credibility, attract customers, and drive company growth. However, its creation requires specific technical skills and expertise. That's where hiring a professional web designer comes in. 

Our MintySwap and Xblock projects may serve as an illustration of how effective a good web design is. In this comprehensive guide, we'll show you how to hire a web designer to achieve your specific business goals.

Why Should You Hire a Web Designer

Why do you need a web designer? Let's talk facts:

• 50% of consumers consider website design crucial for a company's brand, with images (40%), color (39%), and videos (21%) as the most important visual elements
• 50% of users prefer mobile websites to mobile apps when browsing or shopping
• 63% of businesses rate the significant impact of design on business performance

Hiring a web designer can be highly beneficial and worth the investment for several reasons.

High-Quality Design

Web designers deeply understand design principles, color schemes, typography, and layout techniques. A well-designed website will make a good first impression on visitors and enhance your brand image.

Customization

Web designers work closely with you to understand your vision and translate it into a unique design that reflects your brand identity. This level of customization sets your website apart from generic templates and makes it stand out.

UX Optimization

Web designers understand how to create intuitive navigation, clear calls-to-action, and seamless interactions. By optimizing the user experience, you increase the chances of converting visitors into customers or achieving other goals.

Time and Efficiency

Hiring a web designer lets you focus on your core business activities while leaving the process to an expert. These specialists have the knowledge and experience to efficiently create a platform that meets your requirements, saving you time and effort.

Technical Expertise

Web designers understand the technical aspects of website building, including optimizing site speed, implementing SEO-friendly elements, and ensuring cross-browser compatibility. They create a functional, secure website that performs well across different platforms.

Ongoing Support

A web designer can provide ongoing support for your website, such as implementing updates, fixing bugs, and making design improvements. These actions ensure it remains up-to-date and aligned with evolving design trends. 

How to Hire a Good Web Designer in 6 Steps

Here is a step-by-step guide on how to hire a web designer for your website needs.

1. Define Your Goals

Before starting your search, make sure you have a clear understanding of what you're looking for.

What specialist do you need? Graphic designers create the visual layout and aesthetics of a website. UI experts build the interface. UX designers focus on enhancing the user experience and ensuring usability. Also, many web designers combine skills in multiple areas.

Which content management system (CMS) do you prefer? Some web designers specialize in working with specific CMS platforms — WordPress, Joomla, and Drupal. Depending on your needs, the skills you require differ.

Finally, determine a clear timeline and budget for your web design project. For this, familiarize yourself with the payment structure options. Two common approaches to consider are hourly rates and project-based payments. 

2. Search for a Designer

Here are the most popular methods you can use to find suitable web designers:

• When you visit websites that you find visually appealing, check the designer's information at the bottom of the page. It can help you identify potential candidates.
• Search "freelance web designer WordPress" or "UI web designer" in Google. Many specialists have a professional portfolio or their own website. 
• Enter freelancer marketplaces like Fiverr, Upwork, or Behance. These platforms let freelancers showcase their portfolios, offer services, and include client reviews and ratings. This information will provide insights into the designer's skills and work ethic. 
• Ask for recommendations from friends or colleagues with firsthand experience working with web designers. Social media platforms can also be a useful resource in this case.

3. Examine Portfolios

What to consider examining the portfolios? We recommend paying attention to the following aspects: 

• Services. Most designers offer one-time website building packages, but some may also provide ongoing maintenance. If you need continuous support or updates, consider designers with maintenance services to save time and effort.
• Skills. Verify that the designers you're considering are comfortable and proficient in graphic design, HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.
• Portfolio. Pay attention to website design, usability, and functionality. Remember, you're seeking a visually pleasing platform and a business-generating tool. 
• Experience. Ensure that web designers have experience building sites with similar functionality to what you require. It’s a bonus if they have worked with businesses in your industry, as they would better understand your specific needs and goals.
• Reviews and testimonials. Freelancer platforms often display positive and negative reviews, showing the designer's professionalism, communication skills, and quality of work.

4. Talk to Previous Clients

A conversation with the specialist's past clients will provide valuable insights into their working experience. Here are some questions you can ask:

• How was your experience working with the designer?
• What is your opinion of their design process?
• Were they able to meet project deadlines?
• How much is it to hire a web designer?
• How has your website performed since the design work? Do you attribute any increase in leads or sales to the designer's work?

5. Contact the Designer

When contacting the designer, include the following information in your message:

• The name of your business or organization for which you need a website
• An overview of required functionality, such as static pages, blogs, or e-commerce capabilities
• The number of pages you would like the designer to create
• Your desired timeline and budget

6. Negotiate a Contract

Once you have selected a web designer for your project, it is important to negotiate and establish a contract to ensure clarity and protect both parties involved. It doesn't need to be overly complex but should cover key aspects:

• Сlearly outline the project's scope and specify the expected deliverables for the freelancer
• Define who will review and approve the content, including the number of revisions allowed and the timeline for feedback
• Include details on how and when either party can terminate the contract
• Clarify what will happen to completed work and payments during termination
• Specify who will own the rights to the created content, ensuring that it aligns with your expectations and requirements
• Determine under which jurisdiction (including the applicable laws and regulations) you will govern your contract and consider any potential disputes

Conclusion

Hiring a web designer can become a game-changer for your online presence. Their expertise and creativity will transform your vision into a stunning, functional website that captivates your audience. Now that you have a full guide to navigate the hiring process, it's time to take action. 

For the past five years, our team has been dedicated to helping startups, small businesses, and mid-sized companies launch their ventures, raise funds, and gain market acceptance. Contact Arounda and let us bring your digital dreams to life.

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