Website Designer Check-List
Created July 2004; Revised August 2007
Whether you choose to work with a large Advertising Firm or a Small Web Design Agency, the path to choosing the best web site designer/company to work with is similar.
Following is a Web Site Designer Check-List to help you determine the most qualified designer to meet your web design needs.
It is recommended that you talk to more than one candidate; three is a good number. Have the list ready when you talk with them:
- Will they help you with determining your goals or will you be doing that before you contact them?
It's a good idea to go over your goals before you start to meet with designers. But it is great help to work with a web designer that understands strategic planning and has a broad perspective of your companies mission and goals and what part your website will play in reaching these goals. Can they help you define what part your website will play in your marketing plans to achieve the most success for your business? Also how will your different marketing mediums work together to support each other for optimum success? This is referred to as "marketing integration" and companies, large and small, are becoming more and more aware of its importance.
- Ask for the address of their website. Is it working? Do all the links work? Does it succeed at the task at hand?
If they can't be bothered to put some effort into their own business image, what will they be doing with yours?
- Ask to see a list of websites they have completed for other clients - are they "one size fits all" or did they create each web site to fit the needs of each individual client?
Choose one or two of their websites and ask them to briefly define the goals that were presented to them for each of the websites. Look at the website with these goals in mind. How well did they do in accomplishing those goals?
- Your web designer should be able to help you create a Site Plan to map out your site and what you wish to convey. A well planned site will be very usable by your clients, helping them effortlessly achieve their tasks.
- Is the design consistent and appealing?
- Do the web pages load quickly?
- Are you able to navigate easily through the site?
- Are you able to complete a specific tasks easily? (Purchase an items, fill in a form? etc.)
- If they are using Flash or other Plug-ins on a site, are they appropriate for that site's goals or just extra fluff? A shopping cart site should not be using Flash, but a branding site may be well suited for Flash to create a splash.
- Are there typing errors?
A good web designer will want your website to be very usable, "friendly" for your end users. You will have no control over your user's browser, the speed of their connection, or the size and quality of their monitor. Design-wise it's different from TV or film, printed page or newspapers. A good web designer will be competent in working within the parameters of the web and creating the best experience for the user within this medium. How "User Friendly" are their web sites?
- You will most likely be working with the designers in an ongoing manner. Do you like the people as well as respect them?
- If they are telling you they can get a site highly ranked in the
search engines, ask to see specific examples and ask them what techniques
they will use. The most important elements for achieving higher ranking,
especially within Google, are the quality of your content and the number
of well regarded, relevant sites linking to your site.(See Achieving
High Rankings In Search Engines article for further information.)
If they use the terms Cloaking, Duplicate Sites, Link Farms, Auto-submits, hidden text or hidden links, don’t just walk away, run …..
Which Search Engines will they be submitting to? There are only 5-6 that really matter so if they tell you hundreds, this is good indication they are not professionals in the area of search engine optimizing.
- Given your website goals, you will want to define how you will measure your return on investment. Will they help you define this criteria? Will they give you Traffic Analysis report on a regular basis and is it included in the project price?
- Get a list of references that you can speak with:
- Was the contract completed on time?
- Did the contractor make any useful contributions to the implementation plan?
- Was there regular contact throughout the project?
- Were there personality problems?
- Was the contract clear and comprehensive?
How to Get the Most Out of Your Web Site - Your Part
Know Why You Want a Website
Create a Reason for Being for your Website. This exercise should cover your thinking on the web as a marketing tool. Know what it is supposed to do. The declaration of objectives will be the most important part of any conversation you will have with your web designer.
Be Familiar with the Internet and Your Competitors
Familiarize yourself with the Web. Check out your competitors and industry partners. Educate yourself about the web (some of the articles in the Knowledge Center can be helpful it this regard) and particularly about successful websites. That way you'll get a feel for how a web design project can be judged.
What Results Do You Want?
Follow it by figuring out how to measure the site's results. Your web designer should be aware that you are keen to measure your return on investment.
What Else will I be Expected to Provide?
Some of the to-do lists will be jobs for you or your staff. These typically include the copy and images. Some web designers are very competent in these areas and may either charge a separate fee or include them in their total project fee.
This list, while not exhaustive, will give you a good head start in helping you find a solid designer to help you create the most successful web presence for your company online.
Next, we will explore how to define your budget for a website - How much Should You Pay...
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Choosing a Web Designer | How Much Should I Pay for A Website |  |
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- Pauline Sugarman
- Blue Pearl Web Solutions
- P.O. Box 864
- Kula, Maui, Hawaii U.S.A. 96790
- Telephone: 808.878.3000
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