How To Get Good Work From Your Web Designer

You know what a web designer is, right? Of course you do. He's that nerdy chap who put together your web site. But do you know how to get the best work out of him?

Here are some tricks and tips to be aware of, for when you next need a wee tweak. Before it turns into a 3 week nightmare!

-: Know What Type He Is.

Some designers are newbies. They'll offer you a low cost deal so they can add to their portfolio. This is fine. He still should have some sites of his own that he can demonstrate to you.

Some web designers are professionals. They have an extensive portfolio and are confident what their time is worth. They have limited companies and pay taxes, so they charge more.

Either of these is fine. You can get good design from them. You get what you pay for as long as you do your research first.

Then there are the dodgy geezers. They say "Yes, yes" to whatever you suggest. They get a deposit in advance. They do the job up to a point, then stop replying to your emails.

Why?

Because they're incompetent. Or they make a living cheating people. Or they come to realise they're not up to finishing the job.

So you pay 5k for a site that is only half-done. How to avoid this?

-: Specify In Detail, In Advance.

You need to be as clear as possible. Put to paper everything that you can think of. Then refine it. Re-order the priorities. Then edit it for clarity and succinctness. Make it simple to read and understand. _Hone_ that thing!

Only then, email it. This way, your designer can't claim you're asking for things that weren't in the deal. He knows exactly what you want and so do you.

The opposite of this is to say: "I want a site like such-and-such dot-com". Or "Can you make me an XYZ industry site?" To which the answer is "Yes, certainly!". Except you don't like the results. Because the site doesn't look like you expected.

Why?

Because your spec is still in your mind instead of where it ought to be: on paper!

Cue wailing and gnashing of teeth. For you have entered 'development hell'. This is the trough of despond where short-skilled web designers meet complacent clients, to work on 'The Next Big Thing On The Internet'. The horror, the horror!

-: Pay In Stages.

A designer shouldn't charge a lot up front. You can pay a deposit. Using a credit card might be an idea for this. You might instigate a charge-back if the initial work is poor. However, this means the designer keeps copyright; you can't then use it in any way.

Pay a deposit up front, another tranche or two during the course of the work, then the rest upon completion.

-: Keep Communicating All The Time.

Keep talking to your web designer. Don't let him run off on a tangent. The internet is a road with many forks. There are lots of glittering toys you can play with which divert your attention. Both of you ought to keep your 'eyes on the prize': making a fat profit from your website.

Want to hear more? Go to http://www.hireawebdesignerlondon.co.uk and then 'phone Tommy. Tommy offers a webmaster service from London, UK. He has twelve year's experience in commissioning software, websites and services.