What Kind of Web DESIGNER Do You Need?

Posted: February 5th, 2009 | Filed under: Business and Entrepreneurship, Leverage and Outsourcing, Web Design, Web Programming | |

When it comes to websites and the online world, there are many ways to describe the kind of websites out there: a branding website, a Flash website, a “flashy” website, a corporate website, a splash page, a squeeze or landing page, a sales page, a blog, a social networking site, the list goes on and on.

But what about Web DESIGNERS?

With the sea of different ways to express oneself and one’s business online, what kind of web designer do you need?

One that will simply change a bit of text on a template?
One that will take a template and make it yours?
One that will make a website from scratch?
One who works halfway around the world and leaves you guessing whether or not they’re going to deliver what they say they will, or just run with your money?
One that has knowledge in a variety of different kinds of websites?
One that can program as well as design?
One that only knows how to execute ideas given to them with extremely precise detail, or one who can take a concept and run with it?

How about one who has extensive marketing, creative direction, and design experience who has a “mountain top” view of all the kinds of online experiences out there, and can point you in the direction that’s going to bring *you* the best results?

If you know exactly what you want, know exactly what kind of technology to use and how you want it to look, your can take advantage of some lower-cost options and off your ideas, sketches, and content to them.

On the other hand, what if you’re new to the game and not quite sure what you want?

Or, maybe you think you know what you want, until you realize many thousands of dollars later that what you got wasn’t really what you wanted or were expecting. 

One question I get asked all the time is, “How much do you charge for a website?”

The answer is usually, “It depends.” After which some people leave scowling, thinking that I’m trying to dodge their answer.

But think about it – if you’re just starting out on a shoestring budget, do you really need all of the bells and whistles you think you need?

Maybe you’re part of a large, established corporation with very strict and rigid branding guidelines, like a Lexus, Nike, or Hewlett Packard?

The site requirements and budgets for each of the above types of businesses vary wildly.

For the new business, how about just getting something simple up, and start selling your product or services?

In this day of online interconnections, the first thing that often comes to mind when starting a business is, “I gotta get a website!”

Pouring money into a beautiful website is not necessarily what’s going to have money pouring into your wallet. It’s the thinking behind the website, the strategy, the idea, the target, the copy, the graphics, all tied together, all working together.

Oftentimes what people come to me for is a website. However, what they need is a business and marketing plan.

Sorry if this is sounding harsh, or if I’m squelching your enthusiasm.

I know I’ve gone through building myself some bling, flashy websites that did me nothing, while a simple page with my information on it and maybe a “Sign up for announcements” contact box got me more results that I’d ever imagined.

And while I’m all for taking your money and building you something awesomely cool (think movie studios with large advertising budgets) (hey, I’m in the City of Angels after all!), sometimes what you need to get started is a simple webpage.

You can always add the bells and whistles down the line.

IF it’s what works for you and your particular business.

IF it’s executed properly.

 

Thanks for letting me share with you.

Stay tuned, I will be creating a Checklist to Hire the Right Kind of Web Designer for Your Needs crib sheet. Knowing what to ask and what to look for when hiring a web designer can give you that peace of mind knowing that your website will work FOR you, not against you.