Have you noticed that when a website is needed to be created we think in a "web designer"?

This is not the only one professional involved.

Typically, the term "web designer" includes professionals who focus on the visual (or "front-end") part of a website.

That is, what users see and interact with. These designers create website layouts offline using programs such as Photoshop or Sketch.

Web developers (the people who write the "internal" code that makes a web page work, or "back-end") are needed to take these layouts and turn them into websites.

So, to reiterate, because this is important: web development and web design are separate disciplines, and you need both to build a website .

Before hiring a web designer, you must have a clear idea of what you need. You might be thinking, "Obviously... I need a website." So what is this site? How many pages? What content should be on each page? What should be the headings and text of the paragraphs? What style do you need?

All these (and other) details you will need to tell the web designer.

How to hire web pros?

A website is essential for business these days, whether you need to set up an online store or just need a place where your customers can find information. To meet this demand, there are a large number of web designers and there is no shortage of ways to find and hire a web designer.

But a large number of options is not always good.

The chances of you being overwhelmed will only get worse if you're new to working with designers. That's why we've compiled this step-by-step guide to guide you through the process of hiring a web designer from start to finish.

Step 1. Start with a web design brief

Before hiring a web designer, you must have a clear idea of what you need. You might be thinking, "Obviously... I need a website." So what is this site? How many pages? What content should be on each page? What should be the headings and text of the paragraphs? What style do you need?

All these (and other) details you will need to tell the web designer.

Step 2. If you're building a website for the first time (or working with a designer in general), it might not be clear to you exactly what a web designer does and doesn't do. Typically, a web designer will take the raw site content you provide to them and style it to match your brand and their own knowledge of web design standards.

Now, considering that in mind, make sure you have prepared as many answers as possible from the following questions in advance, to prepare yourself for a successful work with a designer:

•Digital Strategy: Why are you building a website? What are the (measurable) goals? A marketing consultant can help you with this.

•Market research: Include both the target audience and competitors.

•Budget and time: Consider both ideal and maximum time and price.

•List of pages and required site elements: Consider creating a simplified layout and sitemap.

•Logo and branding: A logo and/or branding designer can help you with this. Don't forget to consider things like fonts and color schemes.

•Website Content: A copywriter can help you with this.

•Images and videos: A web designer can find stock images on their own, but note that you still have to buy licenses. For more authenticity, you can provide your own media, but be aware that you may need to hire a photographer/video producer to get good quality.

•Styling Guidelines: Browse a few web pages to find styles you want to emulate or avoid.

•File Requirements: If you are working with a programmer, make sure you know what types of web design files they will need.

Finally, you will need to bring it all together into a design brief so that you have the project specifications ready to hand over to the designer.

It's important to make sure you understand what specific pricing terms are. When and how is payment made? Are mobile and tablet versions included? How many edits can you request before you cross the line of extra work? What happens if web design takes longer than expected? What happens if either of you needs to cancel a project?

After all of that, try your website, click everywhere and explore as much as you can. Take your time to love or not the final result and receive your credentials as a driver receives the keys of a new car. This way you show respect and honor to those who invested their talent on your project.

Thanks for reading.

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