So you have decided it is time to take your business to the next level . You’ve made the sales and stregthened your infrustrature and now its time to play with the big boys. Your’e ready but where do you start? How do you start? what do you look for ? All of those questions are valid and important and I am here to help you ask the right questions that will avoid you wasting time money, money and resources. Choosing a web designer or a graphic designer is and will be one of the most important decisions you have to make when growing your business. You will want to spend time researching what look and personality your brand has and how to convey that to a designer. Many times we as graphic designers will get clients who believe telling us CLASSY, CHIC, CLEAN etc describes what they envision about thier company and it may well be but there should be more to how yu describe or envision your brand need more clarity on why read my article on the 2O MINUTE RULE. Prepare yourself to ask specific questions and to be asked specific questions about your brand your goals and how to achieve them. Web designers are visual beings that take visualsl and then have to translate the visuals into working movable parts so if you can clearly show and express what you are looking for the quicker and better your exoerience will be when working with a designer. Try your best to show examples of other sites or designes that you may like and be clear of what specific you like about the site what you dont like about the site . This will give the designer you choose a clearer vision of where to go with your project. It will also almost garauntee you are will be happy with the outcome. Below I have compiled a list of things you should be looking for when choosinga designer.

• A broad design portfolio. Look at the designer’s  previous work. Your very first step if that work appeals to you and is professional inline with the vision of your brand you are one step closer to finding a great fit.
• They Listen to Your Ideas
  You’re an expert in your industry. As such, you know what you’re selling, and you have some idea of how you need to present it to your potential customers. No one knows your business better than you do. If a web designer won’t listen to your ideas, then you probably don’t want to work with them. Your designer needs to be able to put your ideas into action, not create their own pet project.
• They Have Their Own Ideas
  While it’s important for your web designer to listen to you, you don’t want a yes-man. You may know your business, but your website needs to be designed by someone who knows design. If a web designer does nothing but nod their heads and produce an exact replica of what you say, then you aren’t getting your money’s worth. Your designer must be able to bring exciting ideas to the table.
• Appropriate pricing
  As a designer I can’t begin to tell you f the many conversations that have ended when I quoted prices to a potental client. My father used to say “YOU PAY FOR WHAT YOU DON’T KNOW” a lot of times we don’t know the vaule of either our business or either we undervaule the need for a service we need for our business. Cheap will always get you a cheap product but also paying astronomical amounts of money wont garuantee you success. Finding a designer that offers more that what the precieved vaule is the key.
• Website maintenance
  Some web designers offer continued services for website maintenance to keep your site functioning properly as you use it. Similarly, you may be able to maintain your website yourself, if you have the time and know-how.Either way, it’s important to know what to expect after your website is created. Most of the time, freelance or agency web designers only make your website, and then it’s up to you to do anything else. In rare cases, you may find agencies that offer an affordable maintenance plan.
• Is the designer available if I need revisions or changes? What are the costs? When you hire a web designer, you are hiring him/her for a project as defined in your contract (if there’s no contract, run away screaming). That doesn’t mean the designer is obligated to provide free services for life. Find out ahead of time what costs you’ll incur if you need changes or new layouts down the road, and keep in mind that rates do change over time – the ballpark rates a designer gives you in 2019 will not be the same if you contact him/her in 2021.
• Get References
  Esentially a web designer is a work for hire and jus like any work for hire talking to past clients to get thier experience is fair game. Of course not everyone will havve the most favorable or most glowing experience but your designer should have more favorable then less faorable reviews from thier clients. some of the questions you should ask
  • were easy to collaborate with?
  • did they finish the project on time and on budget?
  • did they do everything they promised?
  • are they providing good support?

Your journey to expandining your business has begun and I hope that I was able to share some god information that will be useful and will save you time and money in the long and short run. Please feel free to email me if you have any questions kitchingweb@gmail.com