Top 5 Mistakes to Avoid When Hiring a Freelance Web Designer
September 11th, 2006
Hiring a freelance Web designer and getting good results is not a mystical process. Though many elements of a successful process may not be controllable, there is much you can do to insure a good return on your investment.
Many intelligent people simply don’t know how to hire a freelance Web designer. Those who hire freelance designers often make the following mistakes:
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Getting started on a new Web site without setting a budget or setting a budget without measurable outcomes.
To avoid getting lost in cyberspace ask yourself:
- What will it take to make this project a success?
- What is this project worth to me?
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Not planning your Web site around content; trusting aesthetics as a substitute.
To avoid a Web site with glamour and no substance ask yourself:
- What do I hope the new look of my Web site will help me achieve?
- How will my aesthetic choices help me achieve my goals?
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Not considering search engine visibility and optimization (SEO).
To avoid an invisible Web site ask yourself:
- In what way will my new Web site be more visible to search engines than my old one?
- Have I researched keywords on Google and WordTracker. Have I written page titles, descriptions, and headings based on my findings?
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Not monitoring your Web designer’s progress and budget expenditures.
To avoid overspending ask yourself:
- Will I get what I want if I don’t regularly monitor my new Web design and establish a reporting schedule for my freelance Web designer?
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Choosing a Web designer based on price without considering quality workmanship and the designer’s track record.
To avoid hiring an unqualified designer ask yourself:
- Which is more affordable, a Web site that costs $500 but gets no results or a $5000 Web site that helps sell my products and services?
Entry Filed under: Becoming Web Savvy
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3 Comments
1. The Euro-Freelancer &raqu&hellip | October 8th, 2006 at 3:56 am
[...] Top 5 Mistakes to Avoid When Hiring a Freelance Web Designer [...]
2. jake | October 29th, 2006 at 3:16 am
Also, does the free-lance designer have any business sense? Or are they just an artist?
3. Harvey Ramer | November 12th, 2006 at 3:03 pm
Jake, the client can protect themselves by making their requirements clear and getting a contract.
Sometimes freelancers (technically I am one as well) can do great work without much business knowledge. Soon, however, they will get burned by over committing if they don’t develop some negotiating skills and a knowledge of contracts. The NOLO Legal Business Pro is a great help with this.