How to hire web designers
You don’t have to be a digital marketing pro to know how important a website is to modern business. As both a digital interface for delivering products and services and a vehicle for generating leads, your website needs to look good. If you want to deliver a smooth customer experience and look good while doing it, a web designer can help.
So how do you find a web designer? What follows are some tips for finding top web designers on Upwork.
What is web design?
Web design covers everything involved with making a website look good. Web design consultants are UI designers who specialize in websites; they often know a little front-end web development on top of their design skills.
Give a web designer a content management system (CMS) such as Squarespace, and they could set you up with a slick and professional website in a snap.
Here’s a quick overview of the skills you should look for in web design freelancers:
- Web fundamentals, including HTML, CSS, and JavaScript
- Strong UI design (layout, forms, dropdown menus, and call-to-action buttons)
- Basic UX design (wireframes, storyboards, and user testing)
- CMS/web design platforms such as WordPress, Joomla, and Squarespace
- Communication (collaborate with developers, graphic designers, and writers)
A web designer helps businesses design websites that are both visually appealing and easy to use.
How to shortlist web design freelancers
As you’re browsing available web design consultants, it can be helpful to develop a shortlist of the freelancers you may want to interview. You can screen profiles on criteria such as:
- Project fit. You want a web designer who understands the type of web application you are trying to build (e.g. ecommerce site vs. landing page).
- Portfolio. The best way to gauge the talent of a web designer is to see examples of their past work.
- Feedback. Reviews from past clients are a good way to see if a given freelance web designer is someone you want to work with.
Why do you want to hire web designers?
The trick to finding top web designers is to understand what you’re trying to build. There’s a big difference between designing a landing page meant to be the receiving end of a sales funnel, or building an enterprise site that will serve corporate clients. The web designer is responsible for translating your unique brand identity into the visual elements that make up a website.
The cost of your project will depend largely on your scope of work, and the specific skills needed to bring your project to life.
How to write an effective web design job post
With a clear picture of your ideal web designer in mind, it’s time to write that job post. Aim to provide enough detail for a freelancer to know if they’re the right fit for the job.
An effective web design job post should include:
- Scope of work: From designing a shopping cart for your ecommerce site, to handling the layout of a sales page for your coaching platform, list all the deliverables you’ll need.
- Project length: Your job post should indicate whether this is a shorter or larger project.
- Background: Translate your web design needs into a freelancer profile. If you prefer experience working with certain industries, software, or marketing channels, mention this here.
- Budget: Set a budget and note your preference for hourly rates vs. fixed-price contracts.
Ready to give your website a visual upgrade? Log in and post your web design job on Upwork today.