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Advice On Hiring a Decent Web Designer

by ColT83
10 replies
Hi everyone!

I have been having an issue hiring a decent designer to complete a mock up of my homepage for a business I own.

I have done the wire frame myself and also added a brief of what i want done and a colour scheme to stick to as well as example websites I like.

However I have hired 2 people now over on Freelancer.com and both have produced me something that looks like it belongs in the internet archive from about 20 years ago.

The designs are dull, not to specification and have outdated text, graphics and pretty much poor all round. Certainly not something I could show to clients.

So I am not sure what I am doing wrong perhaps I need to up my budget to get a decent designer to place a bid, currently I set the project for £250 for just the home page mock up done with the intention on hiring the best designer to complete the full site.

Unfortunately I have had two bad experiences now with designers who don't seem like they have any artistic talent at all and rely on either templates or outdated ideas to complete their designs.

So does anyone have any tips on creating the perfect brief to send to a designer so they understand fully what I want and expect?

And, does anyone have experience hiring designers on Freelancer.com or any other sites and what is the best way to go about making sure I get quality designers bidding and not some guy with desktop folder full of templates?

All input is appreciated thank you!
#advice #decent #designer #hiring #web #web designer
  • Profile picture of the author pdrs
    Hiring graphic talent can be incredibly frustrating. Make sure you are not getting the runaround from someone who works at an agency and always, always, always check portfolio work. With some experience you can tell a real portfolio from a fake one (and yes there are lots of fake ones).

    Work closely with the designer and be sure to be vocal about anything you don't like, what looks to you like it belongs on the internet from 20 years ago could just be personal taste, and a good designer will adjust based on feedback.

    Your budget isn't unreasonably low for one page, I've had some good work done for less than that. But it's all about taking the time to interview, don't just hire the first person that looks like they may know what they are talking about.
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  • Profile picture of the author jamie78john
    You might laugh, but just go and draw on paper what you want and send to the guy, then make sure the deal includes at least 3 revisions and I think you will be all set.
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    • Profile picture of the author ColT83
      That's pretty much what I have done with the wire frame added.

      All I need is a decent designer I think that is the only issue really thanks for the input!
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  • Profile picture of the author ryan2008
    Make sure you give the outsource specific instructions. Forward them examples of what you want done.
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    • Profile picture of the author wordwizard
      Originally Posted by ryan2008 View Post

      Make sure you give the outsource specific instructions. Forward them examples of what you want done.
      I agree with Ryan. Examples are key! And you might also include an example (or very clear descriptions) in your call for proposals so you won't get proposals from people who can't handle what you want.

      It seems like you also expect web text as part of your projects. If you want GOOD text then you may have to pay extra for copywriting - and that may not come from the same place where you get your design. They're totally different skill sets (though a FEW writers can also design and vice versa)/
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      • Profile picture of the author ColT83
        Originally Posted by wordwizard View Post

        I agree with Ryan. Examples are key! And you might also include an example (or very clear descriptions) in your call for proposals so you won't get proposals from people who can't handle what you want.

        It seems like you also expect web text as part of your projects. If you want GOOD text then you may have to pay extra for copywriting - and that may not come from the same place where you get your design. They're totally different skill sets (though a FEW writers can also design and vice versa)/
        Yea I have the copy for the site done, it a revamp so to speak.
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  • Profile picture of the author NatWil00
    Unfortunately there are many people who believe they are a web designer because they know only put together a header and footer, but it is not so, because be a web designer is another thing.

    You need to have experience because it is not simple, and the freelancer that you'll assume must have figured out exactly how to build your website. I advise you to talk via chat with people who make you a proposal for the project, let them several questions to understand his experience, then you can show them some examples of website that you would like.

    The most important thing then is to see previous work to see if he is really an expert or not. Talk to him well and let him know exactly what you want, otherwise you'll waste time and money!

    Try to see also on Elance.com, this is a good site to find expert people.
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  • Profile picture of the author sbtillman04
    I agree with just about everything that's been said. The important part is finding someone who really knows what they're doing, and you can do that by looking through portfolios, interviewing, and really scrutinizing your options.

    I also think it's important for you to know exactly what you want. Obviously everyone needs to be flexible sometimes, but if you can clearly communicate what you want to your designer, then hopefully they'll be able to fit your needs better.
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  • Profile picture of the author donpurdum
    I would have a list of questions available for them. I own a web design company and if I were hiring I would want to know:

    1. Feedback from their clients
    2. What does their LinkedIn profile say and how many recommendations were written
    3. Previous work history and samples
    4. Are they purely creative or can they take direction?
    5. Can you talk to them before you sign and learn a little about their personality and how they would interact with you?

    Just a few thoughts. It can be tricky but in your situation it seems really straight forward. You shouldn't have had to go through two designers. Part of the problem may be where you hired them from? You never know what you're going to get with a freelancer. It could go either way. Social credibility is really important at that point.
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    • Profile picture of the author Steve B
      You might try 99 Designs. They do web site design as well as logos and other design objects.

      Free lance designers and companies create your design according to your specifications and then compete for your business.

      One of the options at 99 Designs is to choose your level of designer from the least experienced (Bronze) to the most trusted (Platinum). I would think you should be able to get a great product by paying a little more for the higher rated designers.

      Steve
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