Selecting a web designer is a daunting task. In addition to creating an aesthetically pleasing site that your visitors will enjoy, your web designer must create a site that the search engines will look upon favorably. Search engine optimization (SEO) and human eye optimization (HEO) are two different things. Some of the best looking sites in the world do not rank well in the search engines. Below you'll find tips for hiring a web designer that excels at both SEO and HEO.
1. Customer Service
The way you are treated in your interactions with a web designer can reveal a great deal about his or her work ethic. If your e-mails go unanswered or phone calls aren't returned, how can you expect the web designer to communicate effectively with you? One of the best ways to evaluate a designer's customer service is to request references from previous clients. Be sure to inquire about the designer's work ethic, ability to work well with others, and communication skills, in addition to questions about the client's overall satisfaction with the designer's work.
2. Graphic Design Experience
Almost anyone can make a website using templates and basic clip-art style graphics. The best web designers can create their own designs and graphics for your site. Your designer should have an eye for color, understand how to place web elements for best effect, and be familiar with how to optimize site design for the search engines. Request the URLs of sites that the designer has previously worked on - are any of them unoriginal, template-style designs? If so, move on to another designer.
