Hiring a web designer or a web developer in Long Beach, CA for your new or established business can seem like an intimidating task. Initially, you realize that there are too many options but you don’t know the talent and areas of their specialty. Even upon contacting some local web designers you realize they often speak a different language, they have a cool website but they are not licenced or the address of their business is a residential house when you check the google map. In this blog we will show you how to find your web designer or web developer in the greater Long Beach.
Signing a contract with the wrong web designer can cost you time and money, neither of which is abundant if you are just starting out. You can’t risk getting lost in the ocean of nearly 1.3 Billion sites on the internet.
If you are looking to hire a Long Beach web design company, here are some simple things that you can do to mitigate your risk and avoid frustration in the future.
Defining Your Project:
To hire a web developer, you first need to make clear of yourself what exactly you are trying to accomplish. If you don’t know that, you won’t know who to look for and what to tell them. Such situations cause frustration. So, you should be careful while doing this.
Ask yourself in their Portfolio fits Your Style & Vibe:
Different people in the world have different styles and there is nothing wrong with that.
However, it does mean that you will be trying to fit a circle into a square. If you and your designer are off in style taste, this can cause problems.
So, when picking your designer, be sure to give their portfolio a browse, and ask yourself, if your site came out having a similar style and vibe, would you be happy?
Communicate with your Perspective Designer Effectively:
When you approach a perspective designer, it’s your job to describe what you want, and trust me, there is no such thing as too much information!
What kind of information should you give your designer?
Well, if there are some websites you love, you should provide them as examples. Similarly, if there are some colours that give you a rash, you should them. But keep in mind that just because you don’t like blue does not mean it’s not the best colour to use to get users.
Always remember, you are not decorating your living room, you are creating a revenue-generating portal.
Never approach your Web Designer/Web Developer saying “It’s just a simple job”:
For a Web Designer, this is one of the most demeaning things to hear from a client. There are further variations to this statement that you should also avoid such as: “it shouldn’t take long for you to do”, or even, “I’d do it myself but don’t have the time.”
Because there are many websites building tools available, many small business owners and entrepreneurs think that a custom website can be built with little effort. It’s true that these template builders have gotten better. However, if you have decided to hire a designer, it’s best to start off on the right foot and recognize that your site is complex and you need help to launch it.
When you find a designer you like, you should treat them and their work with respect. After all, you want them to take your project and do a great job.
Don’t ask Family & Friends for Feedback on Any Design without Context:
Throughout the process of building your site, your web designer will send you sketches, wireframes, proof-of-concepts, and complete designs, requesting for comments or approval before moving onto the next phase.
It is tempting to share these mock-ups and designs with the people you trust the most --- your family, friends and colleagues. But unfortunately, this can offer backfire, resulting in a strained client-web designer relationship.
Getting a dynamic Mobile Friendly Site:
According to a study, almost 51% of people in the world use smartphones and tablets for their internet searches, social media usage and online purchases. This number is predicted to reach 73% by 2025.
So, do not leave more than half your potential and existing customers struggling to view a static site on their mobile devices or tablets. Insist your web developer to develop a responsive website that is attractive and easy to use on desktops as well as mobile screens.
Let your Designer Pick a Platform based on your Needs:
Websites used to be built by coding the entire thing, and as you can imagine, they were both an eyesore and pain in the buns to edit and update. Website Platforms were built to give every website a basic starting point, without coding the entire thing. The common platforms out there include popular CMSs like WordPress, Joomla, Drupal and ecommerce solutions.
We often see people using different platforms for their websites. Just because someone who runs a coaching business uses Wordpress, doesn’t automatically mean that it’s a good platform for your website.
Eliminate the Wrong Candidates:
If the job description is clear and you know the process of a top design, you can already weed out people who are not qualified. If you keep it vague and broad, a lot more candidates will apply to your posting as opposed to if you provide details.
Not Testing the Site Yourself:
Any Web Developer should include site testing in their scope of work. But don’t let that fool you into thinking you don’t also need to test the site. Before you hire a web developer, make it clear that you will need access to test the site twice. First in a test environment. Second when it’s alive.
You know best what your customers look for. Before the site goes live, pretend you are a potential or existing customer looking for information and take an action.
Price seems too good to be true, it probably is:
When hiring a web developer, expect to get what you pay for. Which is to say, if you pay very little, the quality, quantity and timeliness of the project may suffer. Don’t be surprised when the estimated cost is high. This is particularly true for web developers, as they need to come up with creative solutions to problems that they have never encountered before. That means you will need creative and experienced developers. They are expensive but they are also more likely to get your product right the first time.