Hit and Run Web Designers

I was just talking with a business professional that wasn’t happy with his website. His web designer “finished” with the website but left the business phone number as “00-0000-000” prominently displayed on his home page.  Looking deeper into the website, I noticed a missing photo and saw instead, the words “Image Placeholder”.  This is a far too common example of what you get when you hire a web design company that I refer to as “Hit and Run”.  Why does this happen?  You wouldn’t think of paying for 4 new tires and drive away with just 3.  Yet, so many websites are delivered with crucial missing elements and there’s not much a business can do about it—after all coding is not easy.

To help avoid this situation, here are some tips:

•         Know who you are dealing with.  Most times, it makes sense to hire a local designer, someone that you can physically meet with and visit if necessary
  
•         Do your homework, check out the designer’s portfolio—ask for referrals from the designer—ask your prospective designer all the questions that you have on your mind before signing on the dotted line.
  
•         Don’t pay for the entire project up front— ½ down and ½ upon completion is a safe way to help make sure that everything is completed to your satisfaction before the designer says they are “finished”.
  
•        Your web designer should provide you with a temporary website that shows you the progress of the design as it is happening.  Providing you with an opportunity to give feedback can save a lot of time and make the entire design process more efficient.
  
•        Hire a web designer that stays with you after the website is done. A web design firm that offers marketing/SEO services, hosting and maintenance will usually stay close to their clients and be there to help potential new clients find the websites they have created for your business.

Always keep in mind that your website represents your business online—so never settle for anything less that the image you’ve worked so hard to create over the years.

As with many business owners today, Web Designers depend on word of mouth referrals—the only way for them to get these referrals is to make sure their clients are completely satisfied.