Web Designers for Small Business: 5 Things You Need to Know Before Hiring a Brand and Web Designer
Summaried Transcript:
You are listening to Tea Time, the podcast with Cassie Marina, and this is episode number 70. In this episode, I cover the things you need to consider in choosing to work with a brand or website designer. Things like timeline, expectations, budget, the process itself, the content for the website, and essentially how to prepare for a project. This is just a snapshot of the things that we will get into in this episode. Some of these tips even translate to working with other online service professionals in general. So without any further delay, here's episode number 70.
Hey guys, welcome back to another episode of Tea Time, the podcast. In this episode, we're changing gears a bit. What I mean by that is, if you didn’t catch the last episode, I shared in episode 69 my truth about battling depression and entrepreneurship. It's so perfect because at the time of this recording, it's Mental Health Awareness Month. So with that being said, go check out episode number 69 if you haven't already.
But in today's episode, we're changing gears a bit and diving into more tactical business strategies and things that you should know if you are on the market and considering working with a brand and web designer. This can also apply to other online service providers. Let's say you're working with a content creator, an influencer, a photographer, or a social media manager; these are some things that can overlap and help you.
Five things you need to know before hiring a brand and web designer:
Understand your desired timeline: Essentially, how it works when you're going to work with your service provider. Every business is different, and everybody has different processes, timelines, etc. You need to ask the right questions if you are shopping around and doing a couple of discovery calls. Have an understanding and some realistic expectations on the timeline. When do you realistically feel like you can start a project? You also want to realistically have an idea of how long it could take. So you want to know what your timeline is in terms of when you can start and by when you want this website to go live or this brand to be completed. Especially around Christmas time, people want to do all these grand things for the new year. They come in November and expect things to be done in like two weeks, which doesn't make any sense because your stuff should have been ready and out there by October or November to capitalize on the holiday season. Find out the process of who you're going to work with and have a clear understanding of their process. For example, I have different options: the regular option takes a few weeks, but for those who want to get something done quickly, there’s a website in a day or a VIP day option. Not everybody offers these options, but more and more online service providers are.
Have realistic expectations: Be upfront about your needs. A big misconception is that people hire a website designer and think they don't need to be involved in the process. At the end of the day, this is your business, so there’s information that service providers need from you, like photography, branding, and content. If you decide you are doing a website only, ensure you have your branding intact. Sometimes people think they have branding, but they only have a logo. Work with someone who specializes in branding and websites. Be realistic and give yourself time as a business owner because you have other things going on. From the time you pay to when you’re onboarded and give yourself two weeks to gather what you need. Keep in mind, life happens, and clients are often late. This is why I offer a website in a day or VIP days for busy people.
Understand what you are looking for visually: Whether you are an established brand looking to rebrand or a new brand, have a vision of the aesthetic you want. Reflect on it, go on Pinterest, look at visuals, other brands, and your competition. Understand what you want your brand to look like, what you want it to exude, and communicate. Hire the right designer who matches your aesthetic. If someone has a Gothic edgy vibe and you're going for minimal clean elegance, don't hire the Gothic designer. It’s not about being a terrible designer; it's about finding a good fit.
Decide who is writing the copy: I'm not a copywriter, but I can guide and help with copywriting. I can review and spruce up the information you provide based on my knowledge and experience. If you want a professional copywriter, consider if you want it to be part of the package or if you want to hire one yourself. This decision will impact the quality of your website content.
Ensure you have professional imagery: Do not spend money on a brand and web designer and then send poor quality images taken on your phone. Professional images are crucial for the final product. Either have brand photography already or include it in your package. I manage the visual end result by being a creative director for the project, ensuring quality control during photoshoots.
By considering these aspects, you can better prepare for working with a brand or website designer and ensure a smoother, more efficient process.
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