When you need a website for your business, finding the right designer can make or break your online success. Many business owners rush into hiring decisions and end up with websites that look good but fail to attract customers or generate leads.
Local businesses have the advantage of working with a local web designer who understands the market and can meet face-to-face when needed. However, proximity alone does not guarantee a good outcome. You still need to avoid the common mistakes that lead to disappointing results and wasted money.
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Not Defining Your Website Goals
Before you contact any designer, you need to know exactly what you want your website to accomplish. Let’s say you have a coaching business in Ogden. Are you trying to get people to sign up for your ongoing webinars? Subscribe to your newsletter? Or book an initial consultation? Without clear goals like these, even the most talented local web designer Ogden has to offer cannot create a strategy that delivers results for your business.
When you approach designers without defined objectives, you end up with websites that look professional but fail to convert visitors into customers. You might get a beautiful homepage with no clear calls-to-action, or an impressive design that does not work well on mobile devices where most of your customers browse.
Take time before your first consultation to identify your primary business goal. When you can clearly communicate this objective, designers can recommend the right features and functionality to support your success.
Focusing Only on Aesthetics
It’s easy to get excited about how your site will look, and design certainly plays a major role in creating a positive first impression. But if you focus solely on colors, fonts, or layout without considering how your website functions, you could miss the mark.
Web design includes much more than just visuals. It covers usability, mobile responsiveness, and loading speed. A beautiful site that takes too long to load or confuses users will lose potential customers quickly.
Ask your designer about their approach to mobile optimization and user experience. These behind-the-scenes elements are just as important as visual appeal when it comes to actually converting visitors into customers for your business.
Not Asking About Past Work
One of the easiest ways to understand a designer’s capabilities is to review their portfolio. This gives you insight into their style, versatility, and ability to handle different types of projects. But don’t stop there. Ask about the goals of each project and whether those goals were achieved.
In addition to reviewing samples, ask for client references. Talking to past clients can help you get a sense of how the designer communicates, handles feedback, and manages deadlines.
For example, if you’re looking for a collaborative process, you’ll want someone who welcomes feedback and maintains regular check-ins. If you prefer a more hands-off approach, you’ll need a designer who can run with minimal input and still deliver a great website.
Not Clarifying Communication Preferences
Many web design projects fail because business owners and designers never establish how they will communicate throughout the process. You assume the designer will update you regularly, while they assume you will reach out when you have questions or concerns.
This lack of clarity leads to frustration on both sides. You wonder why you have not heard anything in weeks, while your designer thinks everything is going smoothly. By the time problems surface, deadlines have been missed and budgets have been blown.
Before starting any custom web design project, discuss exactly how and when you will communicate. Will you have weekly check-ins? What happens if you need to make changes? Clear communication expectations prevent most project disasters before they happen.
Ignoring Maintenance and Post-Launch Support
Many Utah businesses think their website work ends once the site goes live. However, websites need regular updates, security patches, and content changes to keep working properly and stay secure from hackers.
Many designers only build the website and then move on to other projects. They expect you to handle all future updates yourself or hire someone else for maintenance. If you assume ongoing support is included without asking, you could be left scrambling when problems occur.
Before hiring a designer, ask specifically about post-launch support. Do they offer maintenance plans? Will they train you to make basic updates? What happens if something breaks six months later? Getting clear answers prevents frustrating situations down the road.
Choosing Based on Price Alone
Budget is always a consideration, but if you choose a designer solely because they offer the lowest quote, you might end up paying more in the long run. Lower costs sometimes reflect a limited scope, less experience, or less time devoted to each client.
That doesn’t mean you have to go with the most expensive option, either. Instead, look for value. What are you getting for your investment? Will the designer help with strategy, content planning, SEO, or performance optimization? Do they offer training or support after launch?
Sometimes, a mid-range investment with a designer who offers a strategic, full-service approach will deliver better results than a basic template at a bargain rate. Remember, your website is a business tool. Investing wisely now can pay off with higher traffic, better conversions, and fewer headaches in the future.
Set Yourself Up for a Successful Partnership
The key to getting a website that actually helps your business grow is choosing the right designer and managing the project well from start to finish. When you define clear goals, focus on functionality alongside design, establish good communication, and plan for ongoing support, your project has a much better chance of success.
Take time to research potential designers thoroughly and ask detailed questions during consultations. Look for someone who understands your business goals and can explain how they will help you achieve them through your website design and strategy.
By avoiding these common hiring mistakes and choosing a designer who prioritizes results over just appearance, you invest in a digital asset that pays dividends for years to come.
Infographic
Many business owners make avoidable mistakes when hiring a web designer, which result in sites that look appealing but fail to meet their objectives. This infographic reveals seven mistakes to avoid when selecting a web designer.
