Beware of Bad Web Designers

Many people never get started on their website project because they can’t seem to find the perfect web designer. They have heard a lot of horror stories from friends and coworkers who got ripped off by their web designer, or who have a website that isn’t performing, or worse not working, and they are just plain freaked out about the whole website process, yet their business really requires a website.

There are a few websites that give tips as to how to find the perfect web designer. What to look for in a web designer, and what to beware of. That’s cool with me as long as the advice is good. Well, we didn’t feel that people were getting sound advice out there so here are our top 10 lists.

10 Things to Beware of in a Web Designer

1. Poor communication. I feel that you should probably be hearing from your web designer every few days or so. If they don’t keep you updated, that’s just not good customer service.
2. A bad attitude. That’s just not fun or helpful.
3. A bad portfolio, or no portfolio.
4. Really high prices, and really low prices. Both can make you raise an eyebrow.
5. No references. All of my clients are happy, and glad to be a reference for Realm. That’s what you’re looking for.
6. A really short time frame. If they can get it done in 2 hours, well, let’s just hope you didn’t pay too much.
7. A really long time frame. If you are having a basic blog designed, and the designer says it will take 3 months, this doesn’t mean they are a bad designer, but they might be too busy to get your project done in a timely manner.
8. An ugly website. A web designer who has an ugly website, well.. Enough said.
9. A web designer who seems like they are all talk. They say they can do SEO, and get you on the first page in Google, but doesn’t have any proof that they have done this with other websites probably can’t pull it off for you.
10. Sign up for everything. Some web designers want you to sign up for a bunch of crap that promises to get you in the top spot on Google, and to get tons of traffic etc. This is all b.s, a scam! The real ways to win on the internet are organic, they aren’t things you can buy.

10 Things to Look for in a Web Designer

1. Good communication. You shouldn’t feel like you are bugging your designer to get progress reports. A good designer will keep you in the loop.
2. A good attitude. Who doesn’t want to work with someone who is upbeat and positive. This website is probably part of a goal of yours or your passion. You don’t want a negative nelly designing your website.
3. A decent time frame that works with your goals.
4. They welcome your input, ideas, and example websites.
5. A web designer who is willing to adjust their design a few times to make you happy is key. You don’t want to be stuck with a website you hate.
6. A reasonable price, or one within your budget. You might have to pay more for a good designer, but if everything check out, and you want them to do your website, then fork out the money, it will be worth it.
7. A solid portfolio. You like their work, design, creativity, function and layout of their websites.
8. A good looking website. If you love your designers personal, or business website, this is good.
9. Knowledge in the areas you require. If you need an e-commerce website, you want a designer who has done e-commerce websites before.
10. Honesty. You want a designer who will say, look, I am not comfortable doing that, but I can ask a programmer friend of mine to do it. Or you know I really can’t get your website done in your desired time frame, but if you are cool with it taking a week longer I would love to do it.

10 Ways you can Make Your Website Design Experience a Good One

1. Figure out what you goals are for your website.
2. Get an idea of your budget.
3. Find a few websites that you really like. Some designers are put off by this, but hey, I think that it makes it easier for the client to get their vision across, and it also shows the client’s taste.
4. Go through a referral or find a web designer on a web design directory, or on Craigslist, and of course pick me
5. Look at the web designer’s portfolio.
6. Get a free quote from the web designer.
7. Talk to the web designer, and make sure you get all of your questions answered. Things to discuss with your web designer, price, time frame, their experience, and just feel them out to see if there is a good rapport between you.
8. Give your web designer the example websites that you like, and any color preferences that you have. Also, tell them what color you don’t like.
9. Get all of your content ready in a timely fashion, this will speed things up for the web designer, and being organized is really helpful when you are creating a website.
10. Be kind, and patient with your web designer.