5 Things You Can Do Before Hiring a Web Designer
If you are like me then your new business all started organically. I was off on maternity leave and the creative juices were flowing. Small jobs here and there kept popping up and I was being asked for pricing, how people could pay me, if I had business cards, you know, all the usual information a small business would typically have. I didn’t. When I say My Wolf Design started organically I mean essentially I was getting business before I realized I even had a business. The downside to this, I had to work backwards, and quickly to get things to where it needed to be to sustain these clients.
If I could go back and redo my process here is the advice I would give to a new business looking to design their first website.
KNOW YOUR TARGET AUDIENCE
I can’t stress this enough for not only your website but your whole business. Knowing your target audience allows you to be laser focused in creating your marketing + communications to be directed to your ideal customer; as they are the ones paying your bills.
ESTABLISHED BRANDING
Ok, this one may be tough and that’s why branding consultants exist! If you are a DIY type of person then you need to make sure you put in the work to create your logos, colour palette, typography and photographs/stock photos. Ensuring consistency in your work and all materials is essential in creating a brand identity that your audience recognizes.
SERVICES / PRODUCTS
Often times when I ask for a client’s services offerings it’s a grey area. They have an idea of what they want to offer but it isn’t concrete. Nor is the pricing. Write all your possible services out. See if they make sense, do they give you the ROI you will need to sustain your business? Do they make sense to offer to your target audience? Can your target audience afford them?
SALES CYCLE
Understand the process of your client. Do they need to speak with you first before they purchase? Do they need to complete a form to provide you essential information in order for your to complete the sale? Do they need to sign a contract? Make a deposit? Are there milestones throughout the project? These are all part of your sales cycle and should be mapped out so you have a grasp of how your website can make all of this process easier for you and work for you and not against you.
RESEARCH
Go check out your competition, others in your industry and other websites of any industry. See what you like, don’t like from a design perspective but also a brand voice perspective. Write down those sites because we love examples here at MWD!
Not only will the 5 steps help with your new website design but will also help you long term with the success of your business.
