Finding a web designer

[ClubberLang]

Hi

Hopefully this is the correct forum for this query.

I am looking to have a basic commercial website set up.

I have decided I want a designer that is local (South Coast/Hampshire) and that I can visit if necessary.

I was just wondering what the best way to find a designer is. My plan is:

Produce a Word document outlining exactly what I want including what I want the site to do and all the features I need.

I was then going to search for a load of local businesses. Ask them if they are willing to quote (via email).

If so I will send them the document and they can then quote me a rough price and how long it will take and how they would go about doing it(i.e what software they would use, such as Drupal or something else).

Is there a better way I could be doing it?

I know there are sites whereby you can say what you want and people can bid but as I say I want to restrict my self to UK based local businesses not someone who is cheaper but abroad.

If I send a designer a 4 page document with what I want would that be considered a good thing as I am specific or will I come across as a time waster?

Also the final issue is support - what is standard in terms of getting support should the website have technical issues in say the first 1-2 years? If I am paying for a working site should that be included for free? Or is there an industry set time after which the site is deemed to be OK and any support is paid as extra?

Also are there any steps I should take to ensure I can move my site to another designer if needed? I will own my domain and hosting but I am thinking in terms of software. Woudl it be better to stick to a CMS like Drupal as opposed to a totally custom built site which might make it harder for an outsider to amend?

 

[RedEvo]

You can either hire someone to act as your intermediary, an expert in the area, or you can create your own spec, as outlined above, and choose someone yourself. Specifying an open source CMS (Wordpress/Joomla/Drupal etc) would ensure there are no licensing issues.

Nothing is included for free. If you want support you need to pay for it. That said there are some muppets who will offer you unlimited support for free, don't expect them to be around in 2 years when you need them

d

 

[ClubberLang]

Thanks

Presumably though if you deliver a site with an issue that was your own fault you would be under a contractual duty to fix it anyway?

Obviously I understand getting extra stuff added or having changes made is extra to that and payable.

 

[benion]

EMS internet did my website.

It is a 4 page deal and at 99 pounds was not too bad

not a work of art but about as cheap as you can get

be aware of the customer service dept though, i have just had to complain about one of the rudest most obnoxious members of staff i have ever come across

 

[Faevilangel]

My personal opinion, and this is how I get almost all of my work, is:

1) Get recommendations, speak to local businesses (there are lots of networking groups in your area you can visit) and ask them who did their sites.
2) Speak to the designer, give them your brief and ask for their opinion, let them offer advice based on their experience
3) Get quotes from 2/3 people who come highly recommended, offered advice and also, you got along with. This helps the relationship in a longer term

I know a couple of developers down in your neck of the woods, Farnborough down to Bournemouth area, and will happily pass you their details.

Most website projects fail because:

- The business owner hasn't got a clue what they want, they just went to someone and said build me a website
- The business owner had no say in the site, and the relationship failed due to lack of communication
- The business owner didn't get involved and when it was finished, the business owner decides they don't like the end product.

The way I work is I keep in contact throughout the project and make sure that the business owner is on the same wave length as myself, so I know what is expected of me regarding the project and the business owner knows what they are getting, by when and for how much.

Support is normally an additional cost, some designers will throw in basic support e.g. answer queries but charge for any additional work on the site, where as some will build the support into their costs, so may seem higher than person A.

Before commencing work, always ask for a written agreement of what you get, for how much and by when.

 

[Faevilangel]

Thanks

Presumably though if you deliver a site with an issue that was your own fault you would be under a contractual duty to fix it anyway?

Obviously I understand getting extra stuff added or having changes made is extra to that and payable.

Yes, if you can prove x feature isn't working on the site, a honest developer will fix it or give you an alternative solution (depending on complexity etc)

Always, always ask for a test run of the site before it goes live, this will give you time to make sure everything works and you're 100% happy with the work done. Only tell them to make the site "live" when you are 100% sure...

 

[KeithP]

I'll add my two-penneth here.

Without doubt, our most common type of Client tends to be those companies who've had a website designed for them in the past (sometimes spending five-figure sums) only for the website to be of no commercial value to the business at all.

Designing a website requires one particular skill-set. Designing a website that actually helps the business (Client) to gain new customers requires an additional set of skills that not every Web Designer possesses.

Unless your business is not-for-profit, you really want to examine the commercial credentials of any Design Studio because frankly. some of the websites that we come across are unfit-for-purpose, despite looking 'pretty'.

The first rule of website design: An effective website is a marketing tool, not a playground for the Designer to express their 'flair' at the cost of usability and commercial good sense.

Keep that in mind and you won't go too far wrong

 

[ClubberLang]

Yes I am very clar in my mind how it could/should look and I know what the content will be

Its quite a simple website in the grand scheme of things - I could prob even have a go myself but prefer to have it done properly

I suppose its really the technical and design skills I need.

 

[RedEvo]

Be careful. The more prescriptive you are the less you'll get from the design company.

d