I'm looking to redesign our current website who would you recommend?

Sep 2, 2013

5

Roy,
I have a few general recommendations.

Find a designer who knows code well enough that he's able to think about how all the parts work together, if not actually build it himself (or herself). I've worked with designers who don't have code experience and their designs inevitably lead to quite a bit of reworking once the site actually starts to take form.

Go with a designer who works iteratively; that is, in iterations. If a designer wants to give you a once-and-for-all, "pixel perfect" design, it's very likely not going to be flexible enough to accommodate your real needs if your project has any level of complexity. Further, the iterations actually work best if they're revised in the browser rather than a graphics application. Websites simply feel and respond differently as HTML in the browser than they do as a static image. The obvious translation of this is to work with a designer who is also a developer or who at least works closely with a developer.

Use a designer whose style comes close to matching what you're looking for. Most good designers are going to strive to be style-agnostic but the reality is that we all see things from a certain perspective and what we make shows that. Work with that tendency. Also, if you choose someone specifically for their vision and ability and they know that, they're going to tend to work even harder for you.

One of the most important things to keep in mind when talking with potential designer/developers is how they communicate since this is essentially what you're hiring them to do. A responsible designer is your representative to your customers/clients since he's helping to craft your message and presentation but, just as importantly, he's coming at things from *their* perspective back to you as well. *A good designer should necessarily be a good listener.* Further, he should be someone you're willing to listen to.

This probably goes without saying but it bears repeating: don't just choose the cheapest option. Websites are complex, not just as coded documents but as crafted experiences. An experienced designer is going to be able to recognize potential snags or areas of complexity that require strategy and more involved decision-making. Feel this out before you commit. Also keep in mind that if you're doing a large-scale redesign you're establishing a foundation on which you can build later so get it right. Have a budget in mind before you start talking with folks. A lot of the best designers won't even talk details with you unless you generally know what you have to work with. (If you think that you don't have a figure in mind, try the following test: Imagine a range of estimates coming back to you. Notice the point on the scale at which you say, "That's more than I was planning to spend." Obviously your feelings can only tell you so much but even those can help you and the designer in the pre-contract discussion you'll need to have.)

I also want to echo what Esther Nelson said in her answer: detail out what you think you need from a site. It's so helpful as a designer to get into the vision of a client when they actually have that vision worked out themselves. However, keep it flexible. Remember that good designers are going to bring a perspective from your potential customers' needs/desires back to you and you should be ready for that to have an effect on the final product.

One more suggestion on your side: be respectful of the time of all the designers you talk to. As a fellow business person you already understand that they build in this business development time but that doesn't mean that it's not costing them. Get back to their questions quickly. Don't leave them hanging, even if you choose to go with someone else. Once you hire someone, make sure you're getting them access to the files and accounts they need as soon as possible. Be quick to pay their invoices. It's a relationship not just another pay-for-service arrangement. This person/group is getting into your business and vision so give them the respect that will enable them to really invest and not just feel that you're trying to get away with the minimum. It will pay off, and you'll possibly even end up with a friendship at the end. And remember that getting a site live is usually just a first step, meaning that you'll hopefully have an ongoing relationship with this person as your business changes and grows and your needs become more clear.

There are certainly more things to consider but hopefully these points get you on a good track. The web is an awesome place to be working right now so have a great time and best wishes on your continued growth.

I'm looking to redesign our current website who would you recommend?

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