The (Almost) Complete Guide To Web Designer Shopping

January 24, 2023

New year, new website, new ways to conquer the world wide web. Splendid! Where do we start?

You know when you’re in the queue and someone loses focus for a split second and rams their trolley into the back of your ankles? That’s the kind of pain people experience just before you realise the thing you came to buy isn’t in your cart. But boy, is there a lot of other random stuff in there.

Universal Truth: the risk of being caught paying for things you don’t need is VERY real. (*See page 104 in The Handbook of Life)

This article is about how to avoid the danger.

1: Make a shopping list

Your website is a tool. What must it be able to do? Any web designer worth their salt will need this info before lifting a finger.

Say your non-profit runs on donations. You’ll need a website that makes this as easy as sliding in your socks on a newly polished floor.

Thing is, some sites must multi-task. Like the one for SANCCOB aka the Southern African Foundation For The Conservation Of Coastal Birds.

“SANCCOB’s primary objective is to reverse the decline of seabird populations through the rescue, rehabilitation and release of ill, injured, abandoned and oiled seabirds – especially endangered species like the African penguin.”

See, there’s a lot that needs doing in the world of saving seabirds, from education (book a tour here) to rescue (24/7 contact) to accountability (download reports). And it all has to happen on a well-designed, eye-catching, easy-to-use website.

In other words . . .

You need a shopping list, divided into must-haves, nice-to-haves, and the-get-behind-me items.

Look away from the caviar and Ben & Jerry’s cookie dough for a minute. What you need includes practicalities such as timeframes and costs. Having a clear idea of your budget is crucial because guaranteed, it’s going to hurt when you end up with a bunch of nice-to-haves but not the things that you need to do the job.

Salt-worthy web designers will discuss your expectations in detail to get a clear understanding of the featured content, page types and functionality required for your new website.

2: Never shop when you’re hangry

In the USA, employment of web developers and designers is projected to increase 13% from 2020 to 2030 – faster than the average for all occupations (bsl.gov)

There’s a lot of choice out there on the WORLD WIDE WEB and it’s easy to become distracted by pretty packaging and sweet promises, especially when you needed your new website like yesterday.

Thing is: can they deliver?

8 Red flags:

1. Bad reviews on social media.
2. No reviews on social media.
3. Testimonials from non-existent clients.
4. No testimonials from anyone.
5. Slooooowww to respond.
6. No humans to contact.
7. A portfolio of bad work.
8. A portfolio of no work.

A web design company should be proudly showing off their work. Oh go on then, you’ve twisted our arm. View our latest custom website design and development projects here.