Web designers - what do you expect?

[CharleyH]

I don't expect a lot of people to answer to this, but if you have found yourself hiring a web designer, what would you expect that person to do for your money? If they don't do it? Do you demand your money back, or take what you have gotten and leave and hire someone else?

If you don't find yourself hiring a web designer? Then what do you expect of a well designed site?

 

[Zeb_Carter]

I don't expect a lot of people to answer to this, but if you have found yourself hiring a web designer, what would you expect that person to do for your money? If they don't do it? Do you demand your money back, or take what you have gotten and leave and hire someone else?

If you don't find yourself hiring a web designer? Then what do you expect of a well designed site?

1. Never pay up front for work to be performed.
2. Set milestones at which point a portion of pay may be distributed.
3. Get references.

If those rules weren't followed then:

Demand that the work be finished to your satisfaction.

or

Demand your money back.

or

Take what you got and go somewhere else and follow the three rules.

 

[Salvor-Hardon]

Having done a few ( very few ) web design jobs for friends of friends and such I am glad I never do ths for my livelihood.

I would always try to get the following things even before I started:

1) examples of what they like as far as layout and colors and what they want the page to do.

2) How clear of an idea do they have or is it just "everyone says I need a web site for my business, so you work magic".

3) A final "project done" checklist, so that if they change their mind later, I charge more.

I almost always charged by the hour, and provided time sheets of what time I spent when. Base rate was $30 an hour though a few times I did $70 because I knew going in the person would be an arse.

BUt yes, like any design work, giving a clear idea and concept of what you want is essential, and a basic "when this happens you are done" line to shoot for is so appreciated.

 

[WARNINGWARNING]

function and aesthetic.

 

[Liar]

I don't expect a lot of people to answer to this, but if you have found yourself hiring a web designer, what would you expect that person to do for your money? If they don't do it? Do you demand your money back, or take what you have gotten and leave and hire someone else?

If you don't find yourself hiring a web designer? Then what do you expect of a well designed site?

As former editor on a large website, I have hired web designers and these were my demands:

1. Aestethically pleasing and typographically sound design. Of course. If I want fugly, we've got people who can do fugly in a heartbeat.

2. Do your research. Since there's no universal form and function that works everywhere for everyone, (If you think that, you clearly haven't got a clue, and we don't hire clueless people.) I expect you to get to know our readers, what they want from the site and what's important to them. We want form and function that caters to our visitors and our advertisers. I'm the editor of the site. I know who is visiting the site and what they expect from us. When in doubt, ask me. If I find out that you didn't ask me, but simply assumed something (incorrectly - I'm unlikely to discover when you guess right), you're toast.

3. (If he/she also builds the actual pages) Technically sound standard compliant site construction.

4. Keep us updated along the way, so we can see early on if you missed something in #2.

5. Delivery on agreed upon time. Anything else is out of your pocket.


Of course, all of this could be summed up in "Don't be an amateur. We only hires professionals, not talented hacks."

 

[CharleyH]

As former editor on a large website, I have hired web designers and these were my demands:

1. Aestethically pleasing and typographically sound design. Of course. If I want fugly, we've got people who can do fugly in a heartbeat.

2. Do your research. Since there's no universal form and function that works everywhere for everyone, (If you think that, you clearly haven't got a clue, and we don't hire clueless people.) I expect you to get to know our readers, what they want from the site and what's important to them. We want form and function that caters to our visitors and our advertisers. I'm the editor of the site. I know who is visiting the site and what they expect from us. When in doubt, ask me. If I find out that you didn't ask me, but simply assumed something (incorrectly - I'm unlikely to discover when you guess right), you're toast.

3. (If he/she also builds the actual pages) Technically sound standard compliant site construction.

4. Keep us updated along the way, so we can see early on if you missed something in #2.

5. Delivery on agreed upon time. Anything else is out of your pocket.


Of course, all of this could be summed up in "Don't be an amateur. We only hires professionals, not talented hacks."

So basically? I should hire someone new? LOL Thanks Liar. It's been a fight since March for me between what my lover and I want and what the supposed "WEBPERSON" delivers. He's real good with flash, but sloppy as hell with x-html and none to expedient. Do you have a referral?

 

[Liar]

So basically? I should hire someone new? LOL Thanks Liar. It's been a fight since March for me between what my lover and I want and what the supposed "WEBPERSON" delivers. He's real good with flash, but sloppy as hell with x-html and none to expedient. Do you have a referral?

Maybe I should add that we pay our designers and other hired help pretty much whatever they ask for. As long as they do it right, and we get it on time, we don't argue price. And believe me, they know how to charge.

I only have contacts that work locally in Stockholm, I'm afraid.

 

[CharleyH]

Maybe I should add that we pay our designers and other hired help pretty much whatever they ask for. As long as they do it right, and we get it on time, we don't argue price. And believe me, they know how to charge.

I only have contacts that work locally in Stockholm, I'm afraid.

Apparently, I already paid too much. Edit to add - I even gave him cab money. ME = SUCKER!