I’ve thought about doing this post for a while now – it wasn’t until speaking with a couple of new clients that I decided it was absolutely time to write this!
The hardest part about hiring ANYONE to do work for you- whether it’s in your business or personal life – is that you don’t know what you don’t know! I know this sounds ridiculously obvious, but how often do you stop to think about this? How many times have you hired someone and just taken what they said at face value because they’re the expert or professional? What about price? Does it always come down to price? Of course not! I recently learned this the hard way- but that deserves its own post.
Some of these tips are going to be very tangible, easy ‘how to’s’. Some of the other items will be a little more personal- and you’re going to have to trust your gut. I can guarantee that the sooner you learn to trust what YOU feel is right for you- you’ll get to where you’re going sooner and with less stress!
So- here’s what to look for when hiring a web designer. I’ve created a checklist for you as well that you can download at the end of the list.
1. Portfolio:
Ok- so this may seem SUPER obvious- but I’ve seen quite a few people offering WordPress customizations or design services (especially as WordPress grows, there are a LOT of people jumping in to this)- but they have no examples of their work. If they don’t have examples on their site (because when you do client work- sometimes your work gets done last)- then you need to ask for a list of links/sites to look at.
2. Process:
What is the process like?
a. Will you speak on the phone?
b. How often?
c. What’s the time frame?
d. Will you get updates?
e. What type of communication process can you expect?
3. Hosting:
Do you need hosting?
a. If so, how much will it be?
b. How will you be billed?
c When will you be charged?
4. Design /graphics:
This is huge! And I’m not talking about just what it will look like. This is one of the incidents that gave me the push to write this post!
When your graphics are done and your site looks amazing- who owns the rights to the work? Can you use the artwork/graphics however you want? If you’ve paid for CUSTOM graphics- you need to make sure you have the rights to use them! If you’re using stock images- than you need to follow the copyright guidelines that are listed on the site you purchased the work from.
Personally- I always offer all graphics/images in a zip file to the client.
5. Skills:
Yes, this is another one that seems pretty obvious, doesn’t it? This was another reason I decided to write this post. I had a couple clients recently that hired people to do WordPress customizations, but they weren’t really familiar with WordPress.
In both situations the clients hired people who were graphic designers. One primarily worked with Dreamweaver- so many of the clients pages were created in Dreamweaver, the pasted into the WP editor. If the client tried to adjust anything without understanding html they ran the risk of throwing the whole page off.
The other client had a customization of a Studiopress Child theme /Genesis framework done. The problem was that many of the customizations (site layout)- were done with images as opposed to in the code. When we tried to use the functionality built into Genesis (changing the post/page layout), the whole site skewed. The widgets didn’t show up where they were supposed to so the client would be limited to the default layout. Which is fine – if they were told this.
If you hire someone to create a custom WordPress theme or do a WordPress customization, make sure they truly understand the functionality of WordPress! If you can’t use the things that make WordPress what it is- it kind of defeats the purpose.
6. Price:
This is hugely important to understand and is also the reason I don’t really offer set ‘packages’ for customizations anymore. I have yet to find two people who want the exact same thing.
a. Will you pay for an initial phone consult or is everything done via email? If you
pay for the initial call- will it be deducted from your total cost if hired?
b. Do you understand what is included/what ISN’T included?
c. Do you understand payment terms (deposit /balance)?
d. What is the hourly rate for additional work?
e. How are additional features/ options handled?
f. Will you be notified of additional charges PRIOR to work commencing?
g. Is training included?
h. Will you be charged for additional phone calls /email questions?
It’s important to understand that when you send questions to someone doing work for you that is outside of the job (ex: what do you think about x? I saw this plugin, do you think I should use it? How can I do x?)- that you are asking them things that they can /should charge you for.
If not addressed appropriately (ex: I’d be happy to help you with this when we complete your site. We can schedule an hour to answer questions at my hourly rate of ___ ) you could end up with additional charges you weren’t aware of.
Also- there will be things that come up that your designer may not have been aware of. Especially when working on projects /sites that already exist.
7. Training:
Is training included?
I have this outlined VERY clearly in my proposals. I have lots of people who come to me and understand WordPress. I also have many who are new.
Make sure you ask for this to be included or ask what options are available.
8. Functionality:
This ties in directly with training. If you have additional features /options being added to your site (ex: shopping cart, video & audio plugins)- do you know how to use them?
What exactly is included with set up? Let’s take a shopping cart as an example:
– Is your autoresponder being integrated? (if possible)
– Are your products being added?
– Thank page for purchase being set up?
– Product images (cropping/editing, etc.) included?
– Payment gateway setup included?
ALL of these things take ADDITIONAL time. Make sure you understand CLEARLY what is being included for any additional features.
9. Is it in writing?
You don’t necessarily need to have a physical contract/proposal. Many people have processes and/or FAQ’s listed on their site as to what you can expect or how the process works. It is YOUR responsibility to read through and make sure you understand exactly what it is you’re paying for.
If you have a phone conversation and something comes up that will be added or included- and the designer doesn’t amend a contract or send an email, I would suggest you send an email confirming what was discussed and ask them to reply just to ensure you are both on the same page. Then SAVE the email!
10. Support:
After your site is done and your contract is complete, is any support available?
a. Is support handled through email, a help desk (support ticket) or a phone call?
b. What are the charges for support?
c. Is there an option for monthly maintenance /support?
d. If your designer doesn’t offer support, can they refer someone?
So, there you have it! Just some of the things I would suggest you take into consideration when hiring someone to create a website for you- regardless of whether or not it’s with WordPress (although my guess is that if you’re reading this you’re probably using WordPress or are considering it?). Hope this helps! If you have any additional suggestions or tips you’d like to add- feel free to leave them below!
If you want to download the checklist I’ve created for this post- just click on the link below! I’d love to have you share this with anyone you feel could benefit from it- I just ask that you send them back here to get it.
Thanks!
Download Website Design Checklist Here
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