Developing a website to grow your business is a big deal. Whether you need one for your own personal portfolio or for building a brand, a website is important for business growth.
With the rise of social media, are websites really as necessary as they once were? Websites are just as powerful as ever. Much of the weight attributed to the website has as much to do with symbolism as it does practicality.
Research shows that 84% of today’s consumers think a website makes your business more credible. Another 92% prefer to get information from a business’ website instead of their social media page. Additionally, almost three-quarters of Americans are online at least once a day.
Your desired web design and brand techniques should follow your business’ target market.
What is web design?
Web design is a broad term encompassing the entire process of making a website. A good web design is aesthetically pleasing, user friendly, and has a positive customer experience.
Web design consultants are UI designers who specialize in web design. For a number of customers, the first engagement with your business or brand is going to be through your website. Designing your website with their experience in mind is the first step to guaranteeing of positive first impression.
Content marketing in a way that highlights your brand personality is essential. Create engaging content for your audience through visual designs. This way, the aesthetic parts of your brand will really show your audience your brand voice.
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Why hire web designers?
Having a quality web designer guarantees that your website will have everything it needs. If you want a professional looking website, you need positive user experience and a platform that represents your brand.
Naturally, you want a budget friendly website design that is quick. You can have these important elements and still have a hand on experience if you design your own website. There are a variety of platforms that can help.
However, you may still want the expertise of a designer. Make sure that your web designer understands your brand guidelines. This is in terms of visual design, branded text, and aesthetic. Once you have these items, make sure to conduct usability testing.
How important is User Interface?
The User Interface (UI) refers to the way users interact with your website. UI designers focus on the visual experience of the user. This means designing all the screens through which a user will move.Additionally, they are responsible for creating the visual elements—and their interactive properties—that facilitate this movement.
Moreover, an important concept to include is UI is intuitive. This is because the goal of any UI designer is to create a user experience that is intuitive. A good User Interface requires very little effort or thought from the user.
UI designers must work with human behavior in mind. Great website designers are experts in crafting the most intuitive user interface experiences. To see what your users are looking for, conduct user research. Having proper usability and visuals will give you a successful brand.
How expensive is hiring a freelance web designer?
The cost of a freelance web designer is going to vary depending on your needs.
For an hourly rate, the average freelance web designer may charge about $75 per hour. The typical cost to design a website ranges from $27 to $60 per hour. However, the cost to develop the site can go up to $100 to $180 per hour.
Cost Factor: Project Scope
A lot goes into web design that many clients might not be aware of. There’s more than just a homepage and landing page design when developing. Important elements for great web design include headers, footers, and pop-ups. However, mission statements and a call to action is needed as well.
Cost Factor: Geography
Location is an important factor in the cost of living index. It will affect a web designer’s rates. You can hire a web designer just about anywhere in the world. However, there are certain factors you should consider before hiring someone who isn’t local to you:
Time Zones
You may be able to find a cheaper rate by hiring a designer from a region with a lower cost of living, but there are limitations. For instance, working with a designer who operates in a different time zone can create difficulty. Some designers will work during the time zone of their regular clients, so ask the provider about their office hours.
Cost Factor: Complexity of Design
The more in-depth the design process, the higher the cost is going to be. For instance, gaming websites will likely require a much more detailed design than a minimalist blog. You need to speak to a designer to gauge the amount of time necessary for your design project.
It’s best to expect anywhere from 10 hours for a very small design project. You should also factor in revisions and feedback.
How do I hire a freelance web designer?
How do I narrow my designer search?
Sorting through your candidates can help you in making the right decision. Hiring the right designers for your website requires you to get a firm idea of what you want. Search for web designers that match your brand in terms of design style.
Write an effective job post
Crafting an effective job post is the first step in communicating your vision to freelancers. This will provide candidates with information about your brand, product, and goals. Begin your job description with a brief introductory paragraph.
Use this as a chance to sell candidates on your company. Be sure to communicate your value proposition. You want a freelancer to be excited about the prospect of working on your project.
A good job post will successfully communicate your project’s job responsibilities. For example:
- Take ownership of design projects.
- Design page layouts and templates.
- Produce design assets for use in social media and marketing channels.
- Develop and maintain consistent branding.
- Accept revisions and feedback.
- Collaborate with UX, marketing, engineering, and other teams.
- Utilize data and analytics in making design decisions.
- Work with front-end web developers to deploy designs.
- Create and maintain a database of design assets.
Examine portfolios closely
A designer portfolio is a hand-picked showcase of projects. Also, it includes case studies that a candidate chooses to present as their best examples. Understanding what you’re looking for will help you when parsing through candidates’ portfolios.
When peering through a portfolio, keep your brand in mind. It’s also helpful to simply assume the role of an internet passerby. Review the designer’s websites as though you were a customer. If the user experience feels seamless then you can consider it a good website.
What makes a good web design?
We’ve discussed the importance of an intuitive user interface in creating a positive web experience.
An effective web design should accomplish its intended function. This would be to convey your business’s brand and provide a memorable experience.
Anticipate and accommodate the needs of the user
It is important to have a clear intention with every page. This helps the user interact with the page. It important to ask yourself: what is the purpose of my website?
Your website should accurately and thoroughly describe what you do well. A user should be able to discern what service or product you provide.
Don’t be overly complex
If a user shows up on your landing page, and is greeted with an unorganized design, they will leave.
People like familiarity and simplicity when it comes to websites. There are ways to achieve this without sacrificing the personality of your business. A good freelance web designer will be able to accurately synthesize your brand into an easily palatable web page.
Use F-shaped pattern reading
This design accommodates the common way readers digest information on websites. User research shows that most of what people see is in the top and left side of the screen.
This is likely because it’s consistent with the way we read. Displaying your text in a left to right and top to bottom manner creates visual hierarchy. Having your website mimic this can do wonders in creating a positive experience for users on your site.
Master the visual hierarchy
Visual hierarchy is a tool used to tank design elements by level of importance. By implementing visual hierarchy consciously, you can determine which aspects of your website visitors will see first. Visual hierarchy can be created using color, sizing, and contrast.
Have great content
Effective websites don’t just have great design, they have engaging content. Having well-written content is a must if you’re going to convert viewers into customers. Be sure to use compelling language and deploy calls to action to entice users to try your product or service.
Examples of good websites
Below are some examples of excellent website landing pages. You’re going to notice some similarities in the layout. This is because these pages deploy proven practices to ensure a good user experience.
A good freelance web designer will have the knowledge and skills to draft up a successful website, but providing them with some examples can help bring your vision to life.
Mailchimp landing page.
ESPN landing page.
Montage landing page.
Zillow landing page.
Revols landing page.
Morgan Stanley landing page.
A Business Must-Have
A website is a must-have for any legitimate business. Remember, a bad website design can do as much damage as no website at all. Be sure to hire the right freelance web designer for your company to ensure a positive user experience that converts visitors into customers.
Penji is here to help build your brand. Our unlimited graphic design can allow you to represent your brand in the best possible way. We can help you grow your business into a successful brand.
