Revamp your tired web site with an outside web designer
Mie-Yun Lee, Editorial Director, BuyerZone.com
May 10, 2000
Ready to go live on the Internet? Or is your existing Web site ready for an overhaul?
Unless you happen to be a design firm, you probably don't have the in-house resources
to create a site that dazzles.
It's time to hire some help.
But don't be fooled by the first good-looking page you see. Good web design is not just
skin deep. Great designers should also be concerned a whole host of issues in addition
to the actual look and feel of the site.
What should a web designer know?
How to create a user interface.
User interface relates to the experience that a user goes through when visiting the site.
Essentially, a user who knows nothing about your business should be able to make their
way through the site.
The key here is to create an intuitive interface that meets your basic goals for the
site.
Fundamentals of web design.
When it comes to designing pages, it is not simply enough to find a designer who knows
that certain colors are considered "safe" to use across multiple browsers.
You want to find someone who strives to balance issues of page performance with aesthetics,
and that means understanding the loading time implications of designs they create.
Optimum HTML coding.
After the pages have been designed, they still need to be created in HTML. You will want
to make sure that any implementation takes into account the range of browsers and browser
versions that exist.
It is also a big plus to find a person who knows the tricks of the trade to make sure
pages load fast, whether it be to optimize the images found on a page or to program pages
efficiently.
For tools . development skills.
Finally, if you want to add functionality to your site that goes beyond being able to
view a given static page, you will want to look for developers as well. Keep in mind
that although some web professionals can both design and develop, most aren't equally
adept at both. For more on design vs. development, click
here.
How do you find designers?
Surf. Does the nature of your business require that you spend a lot of time on
the Web? Certainly, if a particular site's look and feel has caught your eye while Web
surfing, check to see if the designer is listed on the site.
Referrals. As when hiring any contractor, referrals from friends, colleagues,
and other peers are particularly helpful.
Online directories. You can also turn to one of the many online directories to
search for a developer or designer. But it's probably best not to take this route unless
you have a lot of time to kill -- anyone with HTML experience can put up a web site and
call themselves a designer.
Evaluating your choices
When it comes to evaluating talent, whether in the form of one person or a team of people,
there are a few ways to whittle your choices down.
- Ask questions that help you understand their level of Internet sophistication.
- Make sure that any designers you consider have extensive experience designing Web
pages; print experience is not enough.
- Pay attention to the sites you examine. Is their style repetitive, or do they all
have a look and feel that matches the business they are being designed for?
With rates that can start at $60-70/ hour and quickly escalate from there, you don't
want to find yourself paying for a high-priced cookie cutter.
Quick tips
Good clients.
Ask a potential designer about his or her worst client. Their answer could give you
great insight into their attitude.
Still too pricey?
If your budget is still too small to afford a contractor, check out some of the
available software packages that will help you build your site. They can be remarkably
helpful.
Set a goal.
Before you begin any search, have a very clear idea of what you want the site to
accomplish. And write it down.
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