Fact:  At first glance, design looks easier than it really is.

It’s true.  Think about the last time you saw a picture of something in a magazine—maybe it was a gourmet recipe or something similar.  You might have said, “Hey, that doesn’t look so hard…I can make that!”  And then you did, and well…it didn’t exactly turn out quite as great as you had planned.  Maybe it’s not just a science of following the steps…maybe there is an art to this after all.

Sound all too familiar?  Well, maybe you are a great cook and that’s your forte, so the recipe turned out even better than the magazine picture promised.  And of course, we know that there lots of incredible graphic designers and web designers out there…who naturally create truly awesome designs.  Everyone is good at something, but sometimes it’s best to really be honest with ourselves and admit we might not be the best person for the job if that is indeed the case.

Unfortunately, for those out there who are not designers, then one thing is certain—those good folks are definitely not web designers either.  Best to leave it up to the pros for expert quality results.

It’s no secret that web designers (and for that matter, designers of all kinds) tend to be a little bit finicky.  And when you think about it, it’s hard to blame them really.  After all, they spend countless hours each and every day looking at designs and figuring out what really looks great and works well at the same time.  Just another day in the life of a professional designer…

Advice:  When it comes to designing your website, trust your designer.

You’ve spent a good amount of time and due diligence making sure you are working with just the right web designer to best achieve your unique goals.  Now it’s time to step back and put some confidence in your well-vetted decision.  Trust your web designer’s advice by all means.

• Ethical, professional designers will never borrow, copy, or otherwise steal someone else’s work to use on a site design they’re working on (even if their client asks them to).
• Expert web designers know what works, especially for the niches they specialize in.
• They are well versed on the latest technologies and upcoming web design trends.
• Good web designers work with your goals to ensure your site’s design will achieve its intended results.
• Continuous scope changes or other diversions from an agreed upon path to design completion will inevitably lead to spiraling project expenses—however, pro designers always prefer to avoid this scenario even if they ultimately won’t charge as much.

Web designers want to create the site to perform and function correctly—each new site is their next potential masterpiece.  Their professional reputation is at stake here and the last thing an expert web designer wants to do is violate the principles of good design.

Bottom Line:  Once you’ve selected a designer you trust, it’s best to just sit back and let them work their creative magic!

Choosing the right web designer should be a straightforward process. In fact, it’s mostly about asking the right questions and running your own quick “background check” before making the decision to proceed. The thing is, to really end up with a successful project outcome in the end, it’s also extremely important to be prepared as a customer to help your web designer create a true masterpiece.

Start with the right type of designer.

It’s a common misconception, but it’s one that seems to be quite persistent-many folks believe that their advertising agency or print design company is the obvious partner to turn to when it’s time to design a web presence. Sure, in some cases, traditional media design houses have really great web design divisions. But the fact is that it’s kind of an exception, not a rule. Just like you’d choose a specialist to help solve a particular medical issue, it’s important to seek a web designer that specializes in web design for healthy project results.

Ask plenty of questions.

Every professional web designer knows that developing a new website is a major component of your organization’s marketing and visibility strategy-and the pros will be more than willing to answer as many questions as you can think of with complete patience. After all, asking the right questions not only makes you a more informed consumer, but it helps the web designer get to know you and your needs too. Designers can provide better, more accurate solutions when they really understand your desires.

Consider design philosophy.

Some designers rely on pre-existing design templates while others develop an entire website from the ground up. Others focus on the graphic design components and outsource the code. In the end, it’s the final results that really matter, but it is a good idea to make sure your web designer’s philosophy meshes with your own picture of how the process should work. Creative professionals and business-minded folks are often pursuing a project from two completely different angles-make sure you’ll be able to meet in the middle for the best of both worlds.

Know your niche.

And be sure the web designer you choose also understands your niche well. Examples? Well for starters, just consider all of the different websites you personally browse on a daily basis-there’s the social media, corporate style websites, interactive websites, blogs, entertainment-oriented sites…the list goes on and on. Ultimately, you’ll want to choose a web designer that is proficient in your niche and with the feel of site you’re developing.

How about a few more quick tips?

By following the selection pointers above, you’ll definitely be on the right track to choosing the right web designer for your project. Here are a few more quick tips to consider as you move forward:

• Select a designer that communicates quickly and effectively.
• Establish a mutually agreeable project timeline before getting started.
• Understand that the creative process is quite complex and does take reasonable time.
• Ask for testimonials or case studies from similar projects to yours.
• Think about additional services needed and who’ll provide them-SEO, content development, etc.

Above all, do remember that the web designer you choose is your number one ally to help you create the best website possible for your needs-take your time and choose wisely.