Freelance Web Designers for Hire

A web designer is a professional who designs and creates the visual layout and user interface of a website. They work to create an aesthetically pleasing and user-friendly design that will effectively communicate a website's message and function.

Web designers use a variety of tools and techniques to create the visual elements of a website, such as HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. They also use graphic design software, such as Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator, to create website layouts, graphics, and images.

Difference Between A Web Designer And Web Developer?

Web designers and web developers are both involved in the creation and maintenance of websites, but they have different roles and responsibilities.

Web designers are responsible for creating the visual layout and user interface of a website. They use graphic design software to create website layouts, graphics, and images. They are also responsible for the overall look and feel of a website, including the layout, color scheme, typography, images, and other visual elements.

Web developers, on the other hand, are responsible for the technical side of building a website. They use programming languages such as HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and others to create the functionality and structure of a website. They also work with web designers to ensure that the website is visually appealing and easy to navigate.

Web developers are responsible for coding the website, making sure that it is responsive, mobile friendly, and accessible for all. They also work on the website's performance and security to ensure that the website is fast, reliable and secure. They often work with different web development frameworks and CMS to make the development process easier and more efficient.

In summary, web designers focus on the visual and user experience aspects of a website while web developers focus on the technical and functional aspects of a website. Both roles are important and often work together in the creation and maintenance of websites

Clarifying The Scope Of Work

Having a clear understanding of the scope of the project is important for determining an appropriate budget and selecting the right website designer. For example, if you are a small local business, a simple website with 6 pages such as a Homepage, About Us, Contact Us, Services/Pricing, Testimonials and a Landing/Events page may be sufficient.

Knowing the scope of the work helps you figure out what a realistic budget should be. It’s also critical for choosing which website designer to hire. For instance, if you’re a very small local business (aka a “micro business”), you may only need a six-page website. These basic pages might be enough:

• Homepage
• About us
• Contact us
• Our services / pricing
• Testimonials page
• One landing page or events page

Final Deliverables You Can Expect From A Freelance Web Designer

When working with a web designer, you can typically expect the following deliverables -

• A fully-functional and visually appealing website that meets the requirements and goals outlined in the project scope.

• All necessary source code and files used to build the website, such as HTML, CSS, and JavaScript files.

• A content management system (CMS) or other means of updating and maintaining the website, if applicable.

• A set of instructions or documentation on how to manage and update the website, including information on how to access the CMS, if provided.

• Any necessary design elements such as logos, graphics, and images used on the website.

• Testing and quality assurance to ensure the website is fully functional and free of bugs.

• Final report, which is a document that will summarize the whole process and the outcome of the project.

• Final handover, where the designer will transfer the ownership and access of the website to the client.

Common Pitfalls While Hiring A Freelance Web Designer?

1. Lack of communication - Poor communication can lead to misunderstandings and delays in the project. It is important to establish clear lines of communication with the web designer to ensure that both parties are on the same page.

2. Not having a clear scope of work - If the scope of the project is not clearly defined, it can lead to confusion and additional costs as the project progresses. It's important to have a clear understanding of what you want the website to do and what features it should have.

3. Not setting a budget - Not setting a budget can lead to unexpected costs and financial strain. It's important to set a budget and stick to it, while also being flexible if additional costs are necessary.

4. Not checking references or portfolio - It's important to do your due diligence and check the freelance web designer's references and portfolio to ensure they have the necessary experience and skills to complete the project to your satisfaction.

5. Not having a contract - Not having a legally binding contract in place can lead to misunderstandings and disputes. A contract should clearly outline the scope of the project, timelines, and payment terms.

6. Not testing the website - Not testing the website for usability, accessibility and compatibility can lead to a poor user experience and website issues. It is important to test the website on different devices and browsers.

7. Not considering the maintenance and future updates - Not considering the ongoing maintenance and future updates of the website can lead to additional costs and problems down the road. It's important to discuss and plan for the ongoing maintenance and updates of the website with the designer.

Criterias To Judge A Freelance Web Designer

When evaluating whether a web designer is right for the job, it's important to consider the following -

• Experience and portfolio - Look at the designer's portfolio to see if they have experience creating websites that are similar to what you need. Look for examples of their design style, the level of complexity of their previous work, and feedback from previous clients.

• Communication and project management - A web designer should be able to clearly communicate with you throughout the project, and should be able to provide updates on the progress of the project.

• Technical skills - The designer should have the necessary technical skills to create a website that is functional, secure, and optimized for search engines.

• Attention to detail - A good web designer should pay attention to details and be able to deliver a website that is polished, visually appealing and easy to navigate.

• Flexibility and willingness to make changes - The designer should be open to revisions and changes during the design process to ensure the website meets your needs.

• Timeline and availability - The designer should be able to work within your timeline and be available to answer questions and address any issues that may arise.

• Price and value - The designer should be able to provide a detailed quote for the project and explain how the cost is broken down. The price should be reasonable for the services provided and the value of the final product.

• Post-launch support - It's important to understand if the designer will provide support after the launch of the website, such as maintenance, security updates, and bug fixes.

It's a good idea to interview multiple web designers and compare their qualifications, experience, and pricing to find the right designer for your project.

What Not To Expect From A Web Designer?

When working with a freelance web designer, it is important to understand that they are not responsible for certain things. Here are a few examples of what not to expect from a web designer -

• A website that generates immediate and significant revenue: A website is a tool to promote your business and engage with your customers, but it is not a magic wand that will automatically generate revenue.

• A website that will not require any maintenance: Websites require regular maintenance and updates to ensure they remain secure, up-to-date and functional.

• A website that will rank top on search engines without SEO optimization: SEO optimization is a separate service that helps a website to rank higher on search engines. It's not something that is included in a typical web design package.

• A website that will not require any input from you: A freelance web designer will need input and content from you to complete the website. Your input is needed to define the scope of the project, provide the text and images for the website, and approve the design.

How Much Do Freelance Web Designer Charge?

The cost of hiring a freelance web designer can vary depending on a number of factors, such as the complexity of the project, the designer's experience and skill level, and the location of the designer. Here are a few general ranges for web design costs:

On average, a freelance web designer charges $50 - $200 per hour.

These prices increase in parallel with the web designer’s experience.

It's important to note that these are general ranges and your final cost will depend on the specific needs and requirements of your project. It is always a good idea to get quotes from multiple web designers to compare costs and ensure you are getting a fair price.

| Sample UI Designing Charges

PROJECT TYPE	AVERAGE FEES RANGE
Web design	$1000 - $5000+
Mobile app design	$1000 - $5000+
Software design	$1000 - $5000+
E-commerce design	$1000 - $5000+

FAQs while hiring a freelance web designer

1. How do you ensure that the website will be mobile-friendly and responsive?

   This gives you a sense of their understanding of responsive design, which is primal in today’s era.

2. How do you ensure that the website will be secure and protect against cyber-attacks?

   Asking this question ensures that the designer is well acquainted with the new-age solutions to cyber security.

3. How do you handle website maintenance and updates after the project is completed?

   A website is always in a state of transition. It is important to know how a designer handles these maintenances and updates over time.