Wednesday, November 9, 2016

Freelance Web Designer - What You Should Know Before Hiring

Building a new website is not an easy process and needs the business owner to hire the services of a professional web designer. It is better to leave the work of constructing the website in the hands of a professional website designer. They will be able to finish the work faster and in a better way putting all their experience into use. But the most crucial catch here is how to get hold of a good freelance web designer.

Freelance Web Designer

Why a web designer freelance?

There are several advantages of hiring a freelance web designer rather than a web design agency.

Freelancers are,
  • More affordable. Overheads are lesser.
  • More flexible in timings. They are not bound by the 9.00AM to 5.00PM time
  • Able to take their own decisions. Employees of an agency have to always check back with their seniors.
  • More professional in approach and adhere to deadlines.
There are a few questions that the business owner has to ask the web designers whether freelancer or a small agency before they finally select.

1. Who will be doing the web designing?


This is one important point that needs to be clearly discussed. If it is not the same person with whom the owner is discussing who is the designer? What sort of powers are given to them? Who is the final authority? Avoid a freelance web deisgner who says they will be delegating it to their associates or partners. It may lead to miscommunication and misunderstandings delaying the entire process of website construction.

2. How qualified are they?


There are several online courses available but not all are guaranteed of quality. The web designer should have passed out from a reputable institute that gives a strong foundation and practical trainings. The web designer has to be up-to-date with the latest technologies and be able to build the best website in order not to lag behind their competitors.

3. What does their portfolio show?


Every client must review the web designer’s portfolio. Only then will they know about the working style of the designer. The designs should not be monotonous. Ask a few questions about how different will they design your website. Will they be able to adapt and give you a design you want? What software will they use and will they provide training so that you as owner get control over your website.

web designer freelance


4. How will they communicate and how much association is required?


Freelancers can be from anywhere. Communication through email is the best option. Personal meetings may not be possible every time a work has to be done. Discussions over phone also is not practically feasible and could lead to miscommunications. As a business owner send a test email and see their response time. The client has to find out how much of support and flexibility does the designer require? It is always better to be actively involved in the entire process. Come to an understanding about a time slot every evening to avoid delay in the work process.

Tuesday, October 4, 2016

Keep Away from These Mistakes While Designing Business Websites

A website for any small business is more than just an information provider. It acts as the face of the business and is crucial for building a branding. You cannot afford any mistakes that can cost you later. The website should have a clean and neat design that suffices its motive of pulling the right traffic and thereby increasing the sales. The user-friendliness is the most important feature of your business website and here are some of the common mistakes that you can eliminate while designing your business website.

web design mistakes


Do not keep the website dead

 

You may have had the best website design when it was launched years ago but that does not work anymore.The website must be always alive. The content and the design of your website should always be up to date. The users should be happy about the upgradations such as new payment options that are in demand or the links to the emerging social media connections. Along with maintaining the necessary information about the business, your website should take care of the current trends of the web designing.

Avoid heavy designing 

 

The world is turning towards lean designing which means the audience wish to see the websites in their best with basic features. The geeky looks of your website should not corner the needs of the users. For instance, if you have loaded your website with too much graphics that they keep searching for “Buy now” button, it can be annoying. So ensure your website has the basic features highlighted and then add only required amount of decorative design. The best part of lean designing is that it does its job and you need not spend a lot of money on expensive designing unnecessarily.

Check the technical common mistakes when create the google friendly website.

Do not lose focus from target audience 

 

Each business will have a defined set of audience. Web designers should identify the right set of audience and the website should be primarily appealing to them. If you have a website that talk about action movies, it is obvious that your key audience is the teenagers and youth. On the other hand, if your website is about weight loss and health related issues, you should target the people of age group 30’s and 40’s. Based on the main target audience, you should have a web designed to cater their taste and options that suit their needs.

Do not leave the opportunities of lead generation 

 

It is obvious that the business website is not just an advertising forum but a marketplace for your sales too. So the audience should be able to complete the purchase transaction with ease. The calls to action should be crisp and clear. You cannot expect the users to browse through several links before they end up buying what they want.

web design mistakes to avoid


You can also try publishing more about your business through the potential customers by allowing them to share their experience on social media. These days, social media is the best way for marketing the products and services. The reviews and recommendations make your business more trust-worthy.

The web designing technology has developed enormously and it has become the need of the hour to focus on basic requirements. Build your business website with more functional and attractive design and avoid cramming it with frustrating hypes.

The author of the article is a creative web tutorial writer and one of the best web designers in cochin kerala. He has written several WordPress and html eBooks for beginners.