Setting Expectations: What is Expected From You When Hiring a Web Designer
You have realized that you need a website and find it best to hire a web designer to get the job done. While hiring someone to build your website is a hand-off job, there is still input and a bit of time commitment that will be needed on your end.
To set expectations from the start, here is the list of what will be asked from you and your team so you can be prepared.
Gather Inspirational Websites
Browse the websites of your competitors and brands you are aspiring to become and discover what you like about each website. Seek out integrated software tools for the website to help organize your sales process and decide if you want any unique elements on your website (e-commerce, booking service, client account portal).
Branding Guidelines
I see many entrepreneurs and small businesses invest in branding while they are launching a new website. This isn’t necessary; however, it does create a clean-looking website and makes the overall process go a lot smoother.
Branding Photography
While selecting stock photography is always an option, I highly recommend investing in branded photography. It makes your website yours, and it builds trust with your audience. Your potential customer comes to your website and wants to know who they are hiring.
*When hiring Clarify Your Craft, we can help you save time and headache by crafting a shot list for your photographer.
Collect Testimonies
Asking for reviews doesn’t have to be a daunting task. If you are starting fresh, make it a goal to get at least three. When asking for a review, ask them to share a specific experience or problem that you helped them solve. Invite them to share a short story of their before and after.
Time
If you choose to hire me, I understand time is your biggest asset, so I ask for most of it upfront to ensure a streamlined process and give you a website that makes you proud. While many variables come into play, you can expect the following amount of time needed for you:
The initial 30-min Discovery Call to see if we are the right fit
1-hour call to learn about your business to draft the words on your website. (If you want to write your own words, time will set need to be set aside to draft what you want to share and the layout. Even for the most basic websites, expect to set aside a morning to prepare the words. Since each website and business is unique, this step can take several hours or several days.)
The time to review and provide thoughtful feedback on the words and/or website.
Every business has a busy season, so I recommend planning accordingly. Trying to manage high demands while providing insight and thought into your new website can be frustrating, and you can end up with a website made on impulsive ideas and not an online presence that you love. In the end, this will cost you more time and money.
If these expectations are in line with what you had in mind to get started, I would love to begin the process and jump on a 30-minute call to learn more about your marketing needs.
