Everyone has a different reason for wanting to launch a new website. There are currently over three billion internet users in the world today and around one billion websites exist online.

Many businesses are creating websites to showcase their products and services, even those who do not offer them online. It’s highly beneficial for a business to have a website because the internet is where a vast percentage of people get their information and do their research before buying.

Websites aren’t beneficial to businesses alone. Countless schools, organizations, marketers, professionals, and bloggers are using branded websites to help them stand out and attract more attention. Websites can help professionals land new clients, allow bloggers reach their audiences in distinct ways, and bring people together for networking and philanthropic purposes.

No matter who you are, having a website can benefit you, and the way your website looks can either facilitate or hinder these benefits. It’s important to consider a few primary concerns before hiring a web Designer.

What does a web designer do?

A Web Designer is responsible for the way your website looks and how it will be navigated by users. This should not be confused with the role of a web developer or programmer, which is to get your website functioning online. These types of web developers code and understand how to use servers, developer software, and VPNs (virtual private networks commonly used to do things like connect computing devices across long distances and bypass Netflix proxy errors). Web designers typically use Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, or both to create graphics and website blueprints.

What to look for in a designer

Building a website is a major investment in time and money, and good web designers can charge up to $80 an hour. You want to make sure you’re getting your money’s worth by understanding what a good designer should provide and which qualities they need to possess.

Your first step is to understand your own needs before you begin looking for a designer. Ask yourself:

• What is the purpose of my website and what do I want to achieve with it?
• Which styles do I prefer?
• What can I afford and what is the most I’m willing to spend on this project?
• What is my timeframe for this project?
• Which types of people do I like working with?

Answering these questions will give you the ability to gain a deeper understanding of what you need from your web designer. It will also improve your communication with them and save you a lot of time in selecting and hiring the designer of your choice.

Once you have established clear answers to these questions, you can move forward in your search for a good web designer. In general, you’ll want to hire a designer with strong skills and several years’ experience in designing websites. You will probably browse through dozens of portfolios to get an idea of the type of work each designer has done and what they are capable of. In addition to these criteria, there are a few other things to look for prior to and during correspondence with each designer:

1. They design modern looking websites

2. They have worked with successful and well-known businesses or individuals

3. They have successfully completed projects that are similar to yours

4. They are creative and innovative

5. They care about your business

6. They have a basic understanding of branding

7. Their websites are attractive and easy to navigate

You want to hire a web designer who meets all of these requirements and any additional requirements you created in answering the questions above. It’s also a good idea to discuss contracts, additional charges for revisions, the files you can expect to receive, and long-term maintenance before finalizing your decision to hire.

Image Source: Pixabay.com

Where to Find a Web Designer

Finding a web designer can be a difficult process for some people. This is not due to a lack of existing talent but to an abundance of designers and agencies offering services online and offline. The multitude of choices can be overwhelming. Here is some information to help make the process a bit easier for you:

Freelancer vs. Agency

One of your first considerations when narrowing your search is whether you want to work with an individual freelancer or an agency. Both can offer premium quality services, and one is not better than the other. However, there are a few differences that can impact your decision.

In general, agencies have more skills and tools at their disposal for your project. You may also have several people working on your website at different times. This can be beneficial for some, but it can also slow communication and be inconvenient for others. Freelancers may also be more affordable and flexible in pricing than some agencies, but agencies may be able to offer payment plans and bigger discounts. It comes down to preference in the end.

Freelancers

If you’re looking to hire a freelancer, these are some of the best places to begin your search:

Upwork

Upwork is one of the most popular freelancing platforms. There is a 20% fee, but it’s subtracted from the freelancer’s pay and not charged to the client.

Fiverr

Fiverr is popular for offering services for $5, but it’s also a good place to find talented web designers for hire.

Design Crowd

Design Crowd gives you many options by turning your project into a contest. You can receive a wide variety of submissions by different freelancers and you only have to pay for your favorite submissions.

Guru

Guru is similar to Upwork in allowing you to post a job and select from freelancers who respond to your job. You can also browse thousands of freelancer profiles and reach out to them directly.

You can also try posting your job on Craigslist or LinkedIn if you prefer to hire a freelancer outside of a job portal.

Agencies

Some of the best agencies for web design services include Basic, Liquid Light, Haus, and Joan. Doing a quick search will pull up thousands of agencies that can deliver what you need, so set aside sufficient time to browse through some of these websites and choose an agency that will satisfy your requirements.

Image Source: Pixabay.com

If you consider all of these factors, you should be able to find an excellent web designer or a team of web designers that can deliver an attractive and engaging website that suits the needs of your users. If you have any additional tips for finding a great web designer, please leave them in the comments section below.