Hiring a Web Designer in Calgary 101
In the digital age, finding the perfect web designer is crucial for establishing a strong online presence. If you're in Calgary, this guide will walk you through the steps to hire the best web designer for your business.
Step 1. Define The Project & Goals
Before aimlessly sending requests for quotes to a bunch of local Calgary agencies, you need to know what you want on your website. What are your business goals and how does a website help those goals? Consider the following:
Define The Purpose: Do you want to sell products? Are you wanting people to inquire? Order food? What is your main goal?
Ideal Client: Who are you trying to attract to your website? A designer needs to know who they are designing for.
Features & Functions: Do you need your website to integrate into your CRM? Do you need custom functionality? If so does your budget account for this?
Budget & Timeline: If you need a website ASAP, consider a designer like myself who offers a day rate. If you’re not in a rush, plan accordingly to launch. As for budget, the average website will cost anywhere from $1,000- $20,000+ for small to medium-sized companies in Calgary, Alberta.
Sireena’s Vintage Gallery
Shopify E-commerce website with a blog & contact form functionality.
Step 2. Research & Interview Designers
So you know what you want! Great, time for the fun part. Interview the designers and see if you mesh.
Creep the portfolio or website: Not every designer has their portfolio public, so ask during the interview to see their work. See if their designs are modern and relate to your ideal website.
Testimonials and Reviews: Look for reviews on Google, LinkedIn, and other review-based platforms. If they’re new to freelancing this may take time to build up so they may have references in this case.
Recommendations: You can ask those you know for web designer referrals, I personally love/hate this. Just because your friend used them, doesn’t mean they’re a quality designer. A good designer has a deeper understanding of marketing & websites.
Credentials: This one often gets missed, a designer who has a post-secondary education in the industry is highly recommended. Go look at their about or LinkedIn profile to see if they have professional training in web design, IT, or marketing.
Step 3. Assess Their Skills
Technical Proficiency: Do they have a strong grasp of web design fundamentals, including HTML, CSS, and JavaScript? You do not need to test them but you can ask when they used code in their last project and why.
Responsive Design Knowledge: Confirm that the designer can create mobile-friendly websites, a professional designer should design mobile first since most users are on mobile devices vs. desktop computers.
Graphic Design Skill: A good Calgary web designer should have a solid understanding of graphic design, including color theory, typography, and layout principles that resonate with the target audience. I also recommend looking at someone with marketing skills so they understand how to reach your target audience better.
SEO Awareness: Most designers & developers should have some basic SEO knowledge. They should mention it at least! Setting up your site with basic technical SEO should be included.
Step 4. Communication & Professionalism
Not every designer will be a good fit and that’s why having a designer you mesh well with is worth it!
Cockiness: Is the designer trying to make you feel stupid? If so drop them immediately! Another tip is anyone who over-promises is usually not worth it. A website is a great business asset, however, it won’t improve your product or service. If the product or service is sub par, the website will not matter.
Proposals & Contracts: A professional designer will have a proposal & contract outlining the service and what is all included. This protects both parties. If they do not have one, run!
Vibes: It sounds ridiculous but it’s true. Do you get good vibes from this designer? Your gut intuition is very helpful and I recommend you listen to it.
Conclusion: Hiring the Right Web Designer in Calgary
Hiring a web designer in Calgary is an important step in building an effective online presence in the local competitive market. By following these steps and considering the key factors, you'll be well on your way to finding the perfect designer for your Calgary-based project. A successful partnership with a Calgary web designer can lead to a stunning website that helps you achieve your goals and stand out in the local digital landscape. If you liked what you saw and want to work with me, feel free to contact me about your project today!