5 Tips for Working with a Web Designer
- By Cheow Yu Yuan
- Published 05/25/2011
- Web Design
- Unrated
You know you can't build the website you dream of owning for yourself, so you have hired a professional to take on the job. Take these five tips to heart and working with the designer will be a more pleasant, productive experience.
#1: Know what you want before offering the project to someone else.
The web designer's goal is to take your vision for the site out of your head and turn it into a reality on the computer screen. They can only do this if you have at least somewhat of a vision already going inside your head. You have to know what you want or it is impossible for someone else to give you what you want.
Spend some time thinking about what you envision for different aspects of your site, including its appearances and functionality.
#2: Know what you do not want.
It helps a web designer to know in advance if there are certain colors you absolutely do not like or design features that you don't want. They will use features that they feel fit the purpose of your site and which will enable you to do what you want to do with the site. If there is something that may be included that you don't want, then make sure you tell them right up front.
#3: Be an active participant in the design process.
Don't just hand the project over with some brief guidelines and disappear until the project is done. You need to be an active participant if you want to get the website of your dreams in the
end.
This doesn't mean hounding the designer or hanging over his shoulder (virtually or in real life). It just means keeping the lines of communication open while the work is in progress. Answer any questions the designer sends immediately so you don't hold up their work or leave them to guess. If you have questions, send them right away as well.
If you are asked what you think of different design elements, don't hold back. Let the designer know what you think so they can develop the site that fits you best. This isn't about what they want or think. It's about bringing their expertise to the table so your vision comes to life.
That requires a lot of clear communication!
#4: Hire someone you have confidence in.
You should feel very confident with the web designer you have chosen. They should have the experience and body of work to show that they not only know how to design, but know how to design very well. You should see examples of their work so you have reassurance of their skill level.
If you have confidence in the designer, then you will be more relaxed and better able to trust them when they say they know what you need in certain areas.
#5: Support the web designer if you are pleased in the end.
Web designers get a lot of their business through word of mouth these days. If you are pleased with the work of a designer, give them a testimonial for their website or offer your site as a sample of their work for others who may use their services. Tell others about them when they need their own websites.
#1: Know what you want before offering the project to someone else.
The web designer's goal is to take your vision for the site out of your head and turn it into a reality on the computer screen. They can only do this if you have at least somewhat of a vision already going inside your head. You have to know what you want or it is impossible for someone else to give you what you want.
Spend some time thinking about what you envision for different aspects of your site, including its appearances and functionality.
#2: Know what you do not want.
It helps a web designer to know in advance if there are certain colors you absolutely do not like or design features that you don't want. They will use features that they feel fit the purpose of your site and which will enable you to do what you want to do with the site. If there is something that may be included that you don't want, then make sure you tell them right up front.
#3: Be an active participant in the design process.
Don't just hand the project over with some brief guidelines and disappear until the project is done. You need to be an active participant if you want to get the website of your dreams in the
This doesn't mean hounding the designer or hanging over his shoulder (virtually or in real life). It just means keeping the lines of communication open while the work is in progress. Answer any questions the designer sends immediately so you don't hold up their work or leave them to guess. If you have questions, send them right away as well.
If you are asked what you think of different design elements, don't hold back. Let the designer know what you think so they can develop the site that fits you best. This isn't about what they want or think. It's about bringing their expertise to the table so your vision comes to life.
That requires a lot of clear communication!
#4: Hire someone you have confidence in.
You should feel very confident with the web designer you have chosen. They should have the experience and body of work to show that they not only know how to design, but know how to design very well. You should see examples of their work so you have reassurance of their skill level.
If you have confidence in the designer, then you will be more relaxed and better able to trust them when they say they know what you need in certain areas.
#5: Support the web designer if you are pleased in the end.
Web designers get a lot of their business through word of mouth these days. If you are pleased with the work of a designer, give them a testimonial for their website or offer your site as a sample of their work for others who may use their services. Tell others about them when they need their own websites.
Cheow Yu Yuan
# 1 leading web design Singapore agency. Check out Interactive@OOm now.
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