Hiring a great website designer isn’t cheap, but the investment is more than worth it. A website can do many things for your company, and it works as a hub for all your online marketing efforts. It’s the focal point of your brand, and will offer your potential online customers their first opinion of your company. Mess these things up, and the results are a lot of lost customers.

Unfortunately, not all website designers are equal – and sometimes, companies can even found themselves scammed by someone who never intended to do the job in the first place. So how can companies be certain they are hiring the right person – a REAL person? Watch for these four warning signs.

1. No Portfolio

Even an amateur website design company should have a portfolio of some kind. It might only contain a few websites that were designed for friends or school projects (for those who have just graduated schooling). Seasoned professionals will have dozens of designs in their portfolio. Take note that some portfolios are only available on request, but the website should clearly state that.

If you go to hire a website designer and there is no portfolio, it can only mean one of two things. Either they have no web design experience, or else they are simply trying to scam you out of your hard earned money.

2. No Website

A website designer without a website is a big warning sign. This is literally what they do for a living, and their own website should be an amazing representation of what they can do. This, along with the all-important portfolio discussed above, is a web designer’s visual resume. Without it, companies are unable to tell what the designer can actually do. Even if they end up being legitimate, having no website tells you that they don’t take pride in their work or care enough to show instead of tell.

3. No Social Media

Professionals these days have to have a presence on social media to be relevant. This doesn’t mean that they need to have thousands of followers on all the most popular social media sites, but they should have at least one active account – two is preferred. This shows that the professional is dedicated to their work, and wants to be available to potential clients. It also helps to prove they are a real web designer.

4. No Obvious Pricing System

Many website designers choose to not publish their pricing schedule on their website but should be able to produce a pricing system on request. In certain situations or design items cost extra money, this should be noted. Without an obvious pricing system, you could end up paying a lot more at the end of the project than your original budget.

Alternatively, some companies might offer quotes on a per-case basis. If this is the case, then the company should be willing to produce a contract stating the exact amount. This is the only safe alternative to an obvious pricing system.

Looking for a good web designer among millions providing services online can be overwhelming. It is indeed difficult to distinguish a good one from the thousands of service providers.

Customer’s Experience

Several of them are not aware of the questions to ask the potential designers. Even if they are provided with a question list, they will not know if the answers given are sensible or right. They do not understand the basics of web designing, so they are hiring a reliable web designer. However, this issue can be solved. Get equipped with information about traits to look for. You will certainly find a suitable web designer easily, who fulfills your needs.

Designer, developer, and implementer

It is necessary to understand the role of designer, developer, and implementer.

• Web designer – Someone, who creates a feel and look of your website, is a web designer. A good website design works together with clients to select colors, create brand logos, discuss web page layouts, and mockups. You may think that website designing is making pretty picture, but it is more than that. A designer needs to be skilled about concepts like organizing site content, setting proper layout, and CTA for the site.
• Web developer – Web developer makes use of designers mock up to build functional website. Developers, customize existing or new themes, add functionalities, or help to troubleshoot.
• Implementer – Implementer helps to find suitable themes, installs them with necessary plug-ins, and teaches you to manage the site on completion. Implementer works with designer and developer.

Why understanding the difference between designer, developer and implementer matters?

People hire web designer, when they actually need implementer or developer. Therefore, before going on a hunt, it is vital to determine exactly what kind of skills and services are necessary for the project.

For example, if you desire to open an e-commerce store then you will need extra features like secured SSL payment gateway, inventory management synced with online and physical store, different access level for team members to process orders. Such services will need a designer and a developer to get the task done.

Does the potential web designer’s technique match your expectations?

Look through the designer’s portfolio and check the colors, logos, and layouts employed. It is just like shopping for dresses. Some options will grab your attention. If you wish for a very contemporary website then it will not make sense in hiring a designer, whose portfolio reveals 1996 flashbacks.

Who will develop the website, after completion of designing? Is it included in the quotation?

Many designers and developers work together, so clients pay price for design and development. Freelance web designers provide mockups, which needs to be taken to a developer for coding into an active website. Both the approaches are fine but make sure of the pricing, so you can prepare a budget, accordingly.

What about website maintenance and upkeep? Is it a DIY kind of task or needs professional support?

Websites are not onetime investment. To make millions online, you need to make certain ongoing expense. Sites need to be kept updated, especially if third party software or plug-in are used. Designer may provide maintenance services or give reference or you can learn to maintain your website.

What kind of mockups will be provided?

The designer will offer mockup in Illustrator or Photoshop format. An editable version of logo will be received. In case, any special fonts or images are used then it is vital to have the license to use. Make sure you learn about premium font and image license and usage rule.

Will the designer be available for changes or revision and what are the charges?

A web designer is hired for a defined project. An agreement is made, which does not mean they will give free service for life. Ask about the cost related to changes or revision of layouts in due course. However, the cost given now will change couple of years later.

How much time will it take for the website to get launched?

Based on agreed specifications, the website designer will tell you the time it will take to build your site. Find out what support you will need to provide all through the process. It will make you respond quickly to approvals and adjustments. Even find out what happens in case project takes longer than expected.

Author Bio:

Charles Crawford is a high-level entrepreneur and co-founder of Crawford and O’Brien. Charles has been studying internet marketing, web design, and tech start-ups for years, and he has been successful with multiple business ventures such as affiliate marketing (where 98%+ of people never make money).