| If you are new to ecommerce, and you need a | | | | These sorts of web designers do not have much |
| website for your internet business, you | | | | design skill, and are often given many |
| probably have no idea how to go about hiring | | | | different jobs to do at once. As a result, |
| a web designer or a programmer. Where do you | | | | they do shoddy work and will throw your |
| start? How do you find a web designer? | | | | design together haphazardly. You will be very |
| Should you hire someone who works for a | | | | disappointed with the result. |
| design firm, or should you pay a freelancer | | | | |
| who works alone? | | | | The best web designers to hire are |
| | | | professionals who do web design as a career, |
| If you need someone to develop a simple | | | | and do only several projects at a time. You |
| website for you, then a freelancer will | | | | should hire either a sole proprietor who has |
| charge a lot less than a professional, but a | | | | a large portfolio of work to show you, or a |
| freelancer might not do a good job. Make | | | | small firm of web designers who work together |
| sure you request to see samples of web | | | | and have extensive web design experience. |
| designs they have already done. I find it | | | | Professionals charge more than anyone else, |
| best to hire a professional, because even | | | | but they have more experience. |
| though a professional will charge more per | | | | |
| hour, they can usually do much better work | | | | The only time you should use a freelancer is |
| and get the job done more quickly. | | | | if you can meet with that individual in |
| | | | person, explain exactly what you want, and if |
| What are the differences between a | | | | the project itself is very simple and the |
| freelancer, a sole proprietor, someone who | | | | design work necessary for the job is not too |
| owns a small, reputable web design business | | | | extravagant. Do not make the mistake of |
| with a few employees, and a designer who is | | | | hiring a freelancer over the internet that |
| part of a huge company that employs up to one | | | | lives too far to visit and only accepts |
| hundred web designers? (there are design | | | | payments via PayPal or through some other |
| firms that employ hundreds of web designers | | | | electronic means. Make sure your freelancer |
| under a single company umbrella and also | | | | is someone who resides close by so that you |
| provide domain name registration and web | | | | can monitor their progress and visit them if |
| hosting services all in one package). | | | | you are not satisfied with their work. |
| | | | |
| A freelancer is usually someone for whom web | | | | Also, it is extremely important to hire a |
| design is a hobby. This sort of a person has | | | | designer who has a contract that you can sign |
| probably taken a few courses in simple web | | | | that stipulates certain terms and conditions. |
| design at a local institute or college, or | | | | You should be able to pay the designer 25% - |
| might be self-taught, and dabbles in web | | | | 50% of the total quoted price up front, with |
| design as a part-time job or a way to earn | | | | the balance due upon completion. |
| extra cash. Some of these freelancers might | | | | |
| be quite talented, but their designs are not | | | | Follow all of these recommendations and be |
| as professional. When the project is | | | | careful when hiring a web designer or |
| complete, the freelancer probably will not | | | | programmer. Always work with a professional |
| provide you the design you really wanted, and | | | | if your project requires a certain level of |
| will refuse to refund your money. | | | | expertise and skill, and make sure they show |
| | | | you some samples of work they have produced |
| A web designer who is part of a larger | | | | in the past. Make sure their previous work is |
| company that employs one hundred or more | | | | up to your standards. |
| designers is just as bad as a freelancer. | | | | |