5 Questions to Ask Your Web Designer & 3 Tips to Stop Becoming Overwhelmed
5 Questions to Ask Your Web Designer
When you decide your business needs a new web site, one of the most important question is, "Who should I choose to create it?"
After all, your web site could mean the difference between success and failure of your business so getting it right is vital!
1. Ask them what they know.
Although there are tools which are readily available to assist in the process, effective web site design requires experience and understanding of many diverse areas
including: Graphic Design, Web Programming Languages, Web Site Accessibility and Usability, Search Engine Optimisation and Online Marketing to name a few.
Only through real-world experience can a web designer effectively create a web site that will be accessible, user and search engine friendly and look the same in different web browsers and viewing devices.
2. Make sure they ask the right questions of you.
It is vitally important that your web designer is able to quickly understand the needs of your business online and how to communicate that effectively to a wide Internet audience.
As so often in life, when you meet a web designer or a representative from a web design company, first impressions count. So during the meeting ask yourself:
- Does the designer give the impression he is listening to and understanding what you have to say?
- Does he, or she, answer your questions in clear plain language without being over technical or condescending?
- Do you feel under pressure to agree to things that you are not sure if you need?
- The process of commissioning a web site can often be an overwhelming process for some people. Consider hiring a designer with whom you have a good rapport and find communicating with easy.
3. What kind of experience do they have and is it relevant to your project?
Is the designer experienced in web site design?
How long has the designer been creating web sites?
What is their professional background?
Three years is a long time in Internet terms. More than four or five years is a seasoned veteran. Ideally, your site designer has a variety of experience.
4. Who have they worked for?
A web design company is only as good as their previous projects, so visit the designers' web site and look at their portfolio.
Do you like their previous work?
Do they all look the same or is there a variety of designs?
Are the web sites easy to navigate?
Do they accurately reflect their clients' business?
Does the designer custom create each site or would they have you select from a list of pre-packaged sites?
Is the page code compliant with Internet Accessibility Standards?
Is there a client testimonial page? If so read it and contact the relevant clients to confirm the testimonial if you feel it necessary.
5. Think long and hard about your budget
What is your budget and what is the typical cost for the designer's projects? As a generalisation, the larger the company, the more they charge for their services.
Companies which create sites from a pre-packaged template often cost less but don't provide you with custom solutions which may more closely meet your needs.
About Creative Access
Creative Access (www.creativeaccess.co.uk) is a web design and development company based in Chester, UK. The company was formed with two main aims, to create accessible, usable and visually engaging web sites while offering excellent customer service and good no-nonsense advice in plain English.
The company was founded by Derek Spurdle who has seven years I.T and web development experience and is a member of the Guild of Accessible Web Designers and active member of the Web Standards and Accessible web design community.
3 Ideas to Help You Stop Becoming Overwhelmed
Do you get overwhelmed easily?
Do you feel like you are running around like a headless chicken?
Do you imagine having a work/life balance that is actually balanced?
Here are some ideas that could help.
1. Don't take on too much
Not as easy as it sounds. I think we are designed as 'yes' people and saying no is somehow an admission of failure. But what is worse is agreeing to something and then not being able to deliver.
Make sure you put everything into a diary; time for work commitments, time for family, time for you. Colour code it! If you see too little or too much of one colour, you can make changes to balance out your time.
Feeling the freedom to say no is a great skill to have. It will allow you to have a balanced life.
2. Don't do what you are not good at or passionate about.
It's quite a basic point, but we're mainly good at what we enjoy doing. If there are tasks that you are not good at or don't enjoy, there are some alternative strategies:
· delegate
· get training or support
· don't do it at all
· find an alternative way of doing it.
3. Do tasks when you have the energy
Trying to balance the books or do your VAT returns when you're tired is asking for trouble! I undertake all those tasks that really need my full attention first thing in the morning. After lunch, I take a nap and my afternoons are spent filing! Set yourself goals that are achievable in a reasonable amount of time and then reward yourself; my current reward is a proper cup of tea in a china cup.
If you still feel overwhelmed and the paperwork is mounting, you can always consider hiring a VA! We're here to take care of your day to day admin so that you can free up time, stop feeling overwhelmed and concentrate on your core business.
