Aplus.net Blog

Finding the right web designer sounds like it is an insurmountable task—it is not. There are resources online that can help you, these are known as design auction blocks. These auction blocks are also your best friend. Some of the best places to find a “cheap” designer is to go to eLance or 99designs.

However, if you want a great designer for a custom project a little more research is needed for your decision. There are a couple of criteria to keep in mind:

1. Is your project going to be ongoing for more then 6 months?
   If the project in question is going to take more then 6 months, you should look for a contract web designer. This way you have direct access to your designer and you know the project will be completed on time. It is worth noting that if you are a large company and the budget for the project is more than $100,000 it would be more beneficial for you to go with a company that specializes in working with that type of project.
2. Does it have multiple facets? If so can they be combined with a single designer?
   If your project includes a mailing list, web design, logo design, and corporate identity, find a company that specializes or offers all of these services; it will make the project easier to handle. Keep in mind the web designer you found on the internet probably has been in the business to be good at everything, so if you go this route you should look for a graphic design or web design group that has a history of good design.
3. Is your designer going to be expected to know about usability?
   If you weren’t expecting your designer to know usability, you will be able to find a “cheaper” designer but your website and traffic to your website will suffer.
4. Do you require a domain and hosting account?
   If you haven’t paid for your hosting yet, find out if your web designer or web design company can host you as well. In fact, many companies offer updates and hosting for your website for a monthly fee. This type of plan is great for companies that need to make monthly or weekly updates.

Once you have determined the above criteria and collected the project details, it is time to come to a different auction block. It is best to ask for project price quotes from three or more design studios and then make your decision based on what fits into your budget and is best for your company.