How to choose a web designer?

Choosing a web designer is one of the most difficult steps to take in developing your web presence. Unfortunately, there are no hard and fast rules and certainly no authoritative list of suppliers to choose from. However, just like any other business service, using the recommendations of friends or colleagues is often the best way to produce a list of candidates.

Start with around 5 potential developers, and reduce your list to 3 by process of elimination before interviewing prospective partners. To choose the designer best suited to your business needs, some business start with a definitive brief and request a proposal, while others will simply meet with prospective developers to assess the 'fit' before proceeding. Often there is much to be learnt by simply ringing a candidate developer and discussing your project.

Go with the developer that communicates their process well, and the one that makes the most sense to you given your requirements. Some developers will offer ready-made packages with fixed prices, while most will work on a .Price on Application. basis. Make sure you establish the budget range you are willing to work with early on, and also request references before working with anyone. Most importantly, once you have established a relationship with your chosen developer, enjoy it! Developing an extension to your business is a uniquely rewarding challenge.

So, how do you brief a developer? Well, start with a clearly titled document with your company name, project name, and contact details. Then provide a brief history of your company, and detailed description of the project. Include the overall goals and objectives, timeline and key performance indicators. Write the brief like you were explaining it to an old friend and avoid business jargon (embrace the KISS principle!) Aim for around 5-10 pages, but realistically as long as you are providing a definitive brief, then the length of your brief is irrelevant.

Having said all this, just as we are now accustomed to managing our own accounts, developing your own web presence is just as valid. There is always the option of choosing yourself as the developer or webmaster.