Working with a web design agency or web design consultant can be a smooth and rewarding experience, but it’s not without its share of work.
You see, hiring a designer or developer to build a website or designing your logo is not about having some guy pressing buttons in Photoshop to your every command like a voice activated computer mouse. When you hire a web design agency or consultant, you are bringing a new team member and you need to be able to be part of the team in order to have a productive experience that results in an effective website done in time and on budget.
Here are some ideas to make sure your experience working with a branding/web design agency is a smooth one
Know What You Want
The first questions I will ask people who approach me are WHY you want to build a website…and WHAT do you want to accomplish with it. Chances are you want a website because you want it to help you achieve something. Do you want to gain more prospects? Do you want to book appointments online? Do you want to sell something and expand your bottom line? Having a clear idea of what your website should accomplish will serve as a compass for every design decision the team makes.
Have some examples
Instructions like “Make modern, yet timeless” or “Make it vibrant and alive yet conservative” or “It needs more pzaz” are not clear enough to deliver a webdesign that meets you vision and goals. The main reason these terms don’t work is because they are vague and could mean anything to different people. Take some time to check some websites you like and some you don’t and think what you like and what you don’t and WHY. This will serve as a clear guide.
Reply as fast as you can
These projects run on a timeline that depends on the designers’ skill and your ability to reply to questions and decisions. Remember, the more you take to get back to your team’s communication, the longer the design will take and you even run the risk of forcing the team to move on to other projects and loose your priority. Which bring me to…
Give a damn
Branding and design projects are much about the process as it is about the results. In order to achieve great results, we need to work together in the process. You need to give a damn. Make the time, be available, bring ideas in the required time frame…your design agency team is here to make you look good and help you succeed. Not caring about the project is not caring about your success nor your investment.
Know they are professionals
Your design agency team are professionals. Trust them. They know about colors mood, structure, User Experience, and all that. They do this every day. Even if you are a professional in media, marketing, and in the creative arts…your team have ideas and opinions to help you out…listen to them, consider those ideas. In the end, they will listen to you…but whether the results are what you hopped for or not…it’s on you.
Have content ready
In my experience, content is the number one web design project killer. Projects stall because clients don’t have their content ready and this could mean weeks or months before a website is ready to launch. If you opt to provide your own content, make sure you can start working on it along with the project. If you can start working on your content before the project even begins…better yet, because content writing could take longer than you expect.
You can always choose to use your design agency’s copy write service. Just make sure you can answer their questions and serve as guidance.
Don’t cut corners with images
Images are super important when it comes to building a website. They communicate your personality and they carry a lot credibility. DON’T bring grainy images taken from a cellphone, or super low res images. Invest in a photographer and some good graphic design. Believe me…investing time and money on good imagery will make you stand out like you have no idea.
Looking to get professional help from a design agency and consultant?
If you are starting a business or kick starting that idea that will change your life and want help to get you started with a solid website and branding, I can help. Take a look at any of my design products to get you started in no time.
Don’t forget downloading my free guide + email course to use your website to make your business more profitable.
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