Choosing A Web Designer A Plan To Guide You Through The Minefield

C hoosing a web designer can      to discuss your project and iron   seem like a daunting task.      out any problems should they       They come in all shapes and     occur.                             sizes - from freelancers working                                         at home to glossy new media           If you are a bit more budget       agencies, and there is as much        conscious, then it makes sense to  variation in prices and service       select from a "wider pool".        as there is in size.                  Getting quotes from designers                                            across your country will usually   So how do you choose the right        obtain a more competitive quote.   one for your business?                What you lose in face-to-face                                            service is made up for in cost     Select Your Marketplace               savings, and all but the largest                                         web projects can usually be        Firstly, decide what market your      sorted out via telephone and       would like to select from: local      email these days.                  , national or overseas.                                                                                        For the extremely cost conscious   If you would feel more                and value for money orientated     comfortable meeting your              (some would even say "brave"!)     designer, and running through         there is the overseas market. If   your project face to face (maybe      you know exactly what you are      it's the kind of project that         looking for and can explain your   needs to "evolve") ,and your          project thoroughly and clearly in  ethos is "quality of service"         writing, then there are huge       rather than "Pile ‘em high,         savings to be made. But what you   sell ‘em cheap" then a local        save in price is invariably        web designer is for you. They can     countered by having to do a        usually provide better back up,       little more work on your side -    and be able to meet face to face      particularly when it comes to      communication!                        and any other technical questions                                        you have. Get a feel for how they  Finding Web Designers                 communicate - whether they are on                                        the same wavelength as you.        To find a list of local web                                              designers consult your Yellow         If you opted to go overseas, the   Pages (or equivalent) or do a web     websites already mentioned have    search for "web designer " +          ratings systems which can help     "your area". Looking further a        you decide, and you can also send  field, you can do a web search or     and receive private messages to    check out directories such as         ask questions.                     www.recommended-web-designers.co.                                        uk . For overseas designers, go       Get Quotes                         to web sites such as                                                     www.elance.com or                     Once you have your shortlist, you  www.rentacoder.com, the latter        can get quotes. For a              offering the benefit of escrow        straightforward website this can   and arbitration services.             be a simple fixed price - for a                                          more complicated project that is   Draw up a shortlist                   likely to evolve, you may just                                           want to get a budget price at      Draw up a shortlist of 3 or 4         this stage, and then pin down      designers to speak to. You can do     details and a fixed price with     this by visiting their websites,      your preferred bidder later.       getting a feel for the type and       Always specify your expected       size of business they are and         timeframe for completion when      looking at their online               obtaining quotes as this can       portfolio. Then call them - ask       affect prices.                     them questions about the type of                                         clients they work for, timeframes     Get References                                                           appoint your designer!             Once you have your preferred                                             bidder, get references. Any           Most have standard agreements      established web designer will be      -read them carefully, and if in    able to provide details of            doubt get your legal adviser to    satisfied clients. Email them and     look them over. Make sure          ask if they were happy with the       timescales and project milestones  service received, if the job was      are specified, as well as payment  completed on time, how unforeseen     terms. Find out how alterations    problems were dealt with etc.         to your project are dealt with -                                         in terms of cost and delays - and  Remember to trust your instincts:     how disputes if they arise would   If you are not entirely happy         be settled.                        with the references you obtain,                                          walk away and select another          Finally, when you are completely   designer.                             happy, sign on the dotted line                                           and look forward to a productive   Appoint your web designer             working relationship with your                                           web designer!                      You now have a fixed price,                                              references, and confirmed             "© 2005 Robin Porter.              timescale for your project. Now                                       About the Author: Robin Porter has been CEO of of London based web designer Arpey Internet (http://www.arpey.co.uk) for over six years. Read more articles by: Robin Porter Article Source: www.iSnare.com