WEB SITE DESIGN CONCIDERATIONS

So, you've made the decision to hire a designer to create your site? Not all designers are created equally. Regardless of whether you end up using VBWebSites or another firm, we encourage you to consider the following points before choosing a designer or firm to give your business to...

Satisfied Clients: Take a moment to contact some of the clients of the designer you are interested in using. If they do not have this information readily available on their site, ask them for some references. You should not have to take the designer's word for it.

Portfolio: Does the designer have a portfolio on their site? If they do, are any of the sites unfinished? If so, how long have they been unfinished? If there are a number of sites "under construction" ask the designer if they can expect to finish yours in a realistic time frame with such a work-load. You certainly do not want to be the latest in a long string of unfinished sites! If the designer does not list a portfolio, ask that they provide you with a list of sites they have created. If they refuse to do so, I would again seriously reconsider doing business with them.

Rates: Cheaper is not always better. There will always be someone who can do it cheaper, but does that mean that they can do it as well as or better than the person charging a bit more? A number of our clients had already had sites designed by those who are cheaper and the end result was less than satisfactory. They ended up with a site they needed to have redone at more expense to themselves and their business. In the long run, trying to save a buck or two could end up costing you more. Don't choose a designer based only on what they do or do not charge. You are bound to run into trouble. "Image is Everything" , Don't be fooled!

Design and Knowledge: Make sure you choose a designer who truly knows their craft. With the number of site building applications out there today, it is very easy for someone to purchase a program, give themselves a few days to learn it, and then go into business as a designer. Do you really want someone designing your site who has no idea how html works? What will happen if there is an issue that they cannot figure out? Where will you go for help? You should be looking for a designer who is both knowledgeable and skilled in the art of design. The end result will be a site that loads correctly in all current browsers and in all current operating systems. A site should never be built to load on only one browser or operating system. This is the surest way to kill a business. The internet is for all computers, all users. Do not utilize a designer who tries to tell you that they can only design for one browser. That designer is no designer at all!

Site Design: This might seem rather obvious, but how is the designer's site done? Is it pleasing to the eye? Does it load quickly and properly? Are all the links functional and do all the pictures load? Are there indications of broken code showing up on the page? To be honest, if the designer's site is not something that you find even remotely professional or appealing, do you want them working on your site? Remember, the person that created that site is going to be doing yours! Unless, of course, they have hired out their own site to another designer. In that case you need to ask yourself...do you really want to hire someone who cannot even design their own site?

Time: Make a note of how long it takes the designer to get back to you when you ask questions or inquire about site design, rates or other design elements. If they take several days to answer you when you are a potential client, how long do you think it will take to get a response once they've already got you on board? This is something our firm prides ourselves on...the quick answering of all emails, no matter whether they are new clients or established clients. You shouldn't have to wait for days or even weeks for someone to finally getting around to answering your email.

Contract: If you walk away from VBWebSites without anything else, at least take this with you. No matter what designer you choose, make CERTAIN you get a contract. A properly drawn up contract protects you in the event that the designer heads south after you've paid your hard-earned cash and not received what you've paid for. A properly drawn up contract protects you, your rights and your interests so that in the end, you have a site or you have you money. We would have serious doubts as to a designer's integrity and professionalism if they did not have a contract in place. Get it in writing!!

You, the client, are entitled to:
- Good estimates
- Honest, constant communication
- A written contract
- Immediate notification of delays, problems, and extra expenses
- Pay only for work authorized
- See the project as it develops
- Reasonable turnaround and response
- Reasonable security and privacy precautions
- Deliverables that work as described in the contract
- Own all appropriate rights to the site

We, the designers, are entitled to:
- Know what the budget range is up front
- A completed project profile
- A written contract
- Have our time valued (client delays cost designers money!)
- 50% of the bid up front
- Prompt payment
- Manage the process without being micromanaged
- Be paid for consultative work or ideas
- Be told when we are out of the running for a job

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