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How to choose a good web designer

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When selecting a web designer, there are a number of factors to consider to ensure you choose someone who can create a website that meets your needs and aligns with your vision. Here are some key things to look for in a web designer.

Relevant experience

Look for a web designer who has experience in creating websites for businesses or individuals in your industry or niche. This ensures that they have a good understanding of your target audience, competition, and the unique features and functionalities you require.

Check their portfolio

Look at the web designer’s portfolio to see examples of their work. Do their web designs align with your aesthetic? Are their web designs user-friendly and easy to navigate? This will give you an idea of their style and the quality of their work.

Read reviews and testimonials

Look for reviews and testimonials from previous clients. This will give you an idea of the web designer’s level of customer service and their ability to deliver on their promises.

Communication skills

Choose a web designer who communicates clearly and effectively. They should be able to explain technical concepts in a way that you can understand, and be responsive to your questions and concerns throughout the web design process.

Creative vision

A great web designer should be able to bring a creative vision to your project, while also staying true to your goals and objectives. Look for a web designer who is willing to work collaboratively with you and is open to your feedback and input.

Pricing

Make sure that you understand the pricing structure and contract terms before hiring a web designer. Make sure that there are no hidden fees and that you have a clear understanding of what you will be paying for.

Technical skills

Your web designer should have strong technical skills and be proficient in the necessary programming languages and software. This includes expertise in HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and various content management systems.

Process

Ask the web designer about their process for completing the project. Will they provide a timeline and milestones? Do they provide drafts or mock ups for you to review and approve before proceeding with the final design?

Support

Check if the web designer can offer ongoing maintenance and support for your website.

Choosing a good web designer can be a challenging task, but taking the time to consider these factors can help ensure that you find a designer who can deliver a high-quality website that meets your objectives and fits your budget.

Got a project in mind?

01536 391 745 hello@tjdesign.uk

5 essential lessons I’ve learned about websites

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In this article, I will share five important lessons I’ve learned about websites that can help you get the most out of yours. Whether you’ve got a brand new website, or not had anytime to spend on your existing site lately, here’s how to make your website work a little harder for you.

Let your copy dictate the design, not the other way around

When designing a website, it’s easy to get caught up in aesthetics and visual elements. However, it’s essential to prioritise the content and let it guide the design process. Your website’s copy should be clear, concise, and engaging, conveying your brand message effectively. The design elements should complement and enhance the content, making it easy for visitors to read and understand. Remember, the purpose of your website is to communicate with your audience, so let your copy take the lead.

The speed of your website really does matter

In today’s fast-paced digital world, speed is of the utmost importance. Visitors have little patience for slow-loading websites, and studies have shown that even a few seconds of delay can result in high bounce rates. Optimize your website’s performance by compressing images, minifying code, and leveraging caching techniques. Regularly monitor and test your site’s speed to ensure quick and seamless user experiences. A fast-loading website not only improves user satisfaction but also positively impacts your search engine rankings.

Your about page is popular

One page that often receives significant attention is the “About” page. Visitors are naturally curious about the people behind a brand, their values, and their story. Utilize this opportunity to connect with your audience on a personal level. Share your mission, team bios, and any unique aspects that differentiate your business. Craft a compelling narrative that resonates with your target audience, building trust and establishing a genuine connection. Remember, an engaging About page can significantly contribute to a visitor’s decision to engage further with your brand.

Customers want to see pricing

Transparency is key when it comes to pricing. Visitors appreciate clear and easily accessible pricing information. While some businesses prefer not to display prices upfront, consider offering a general price range or starting point to provide visitors with a sense of what to expect. If you offer various packages or customized solutions, provide clear instructions on how to request a quote or consultation. Remember, by being upfront about pricing, you can save both your time and your visitors’ time by attracting genuinely interested customers.

Build trust with reviews

Testimonials and reviews play a significant role in influencing a customer’s decision-making process. People seek social proof and want to see what others have experienced with your products or services. Display customer testimonials prominently on your website, highlighting the positive feedback and success stories. Include relevant details such as names, photos, and even video testimonials for added credibility. Genuine testimonials demonstrate trustworthiness and can be a powerful tool for converting visitors into customers.

Building a successful website goes beyond just the visual appeal. By considering the lessons outlined above, you can create a website that effectively communicates your brand message, engages visitors, and builds trust. Let your copy dictate the design, prioritize website speed, optimize your About page, provide transparent pricing information, and leverage user testimonials. Embrace these insights and continually adapt your website to meet the evolving needs and expectations of your target audience.

Got a project in mind?

01536 391 745 hello@tjdesign.uk

How to choose your domain name

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What is a domain name?

A domain name is the string of characters which are used to identify websites on the internet. The name is typed in to the address bar of the browser for example tjdesign.uk or google.co.uk.

Best practices

Your domain name should be relatively short, simple, reflect your business and be easy to say out loud.

If the domain name is not too long, you may also add keywords to help with the search engines for example the location of your business or one of the core services you provide.

Domain name types

There are many different domain types and the part at the end is called a top-level domain (TLD). If you are a business trading within the UK, it’s always good practice to choose a TLD which ends in uk as it’s considered more trustworthy and identifies your location.

Here is a list of the most popular domain name types..

.co.uk – Designated for the United Kingdom
.com – Commercial businesses
.org – Organizations (generally charitable)
.net – Network organizations
.gov – U.S. government agencies
.mil – Military
.edu – Educational facilities like universities

How to find out if your chosen domain name is available

Visit DomainTools and enter your potential domain name to find out if it’s available to be registered.

Got a project in mind?

01536 391 745 hello@tjdesign.uk

Choosing a website design company

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Introduction

There are thousands of website designers & agencies around the globe, and often it can be an difficult task choosing one that offers value as well as competency. It’s important that you try to gain a basic understanding of the website design process before committing to a company.

Shortlisting

Firstly, speak with friends, business acquaintances and family. Have they had a website built? Do they know a web designer or design firm?

Personal recommendations can be an excellent way of getting to know a web design company, even if it’s only letting you know who to avoid!

Try and find at least 5 web design companies to compare, if you cannot reach this target by referrals, try your local newspaper, design publications or the internet. Local companies can prove advantageous, but don’t fear companies based at the other end of the country, at the end of the day you’ll be looking to choose the website design company best suited to your needs, wherever they may be.

Your own research

In order to narrow your shortlist further, it’s a good idea to visit your potential web designer’s websites to see what they’re capable of. It’s crucial that your website is accurate, and created with attention to detail and care. This is the primary requirement of your shortlisted company’s web sites.

Have a browse around their own website, do you find the navigation easy and structured well? Is the site easy to follow, uncluttered and well designed?

If it’s likely that the company will also provide hosting for your web site, does their own web site load quickly?

Check out the portfolio of the company, do they offer a variety of different looking websites and have they got any reviews you can read?

Approach the company

Hopefully, you’ve now managed to get your shortlist down further, which means now is the time to begin contacting the web design companies, and requesting quotes. You shouldn’t find much resistance or hardship at this point, most companies will jump at the chance of pitching their company, and discussing your needs.

You should already have a good understanding of the types of websites they have designed in the past and whether or not they’ve undertaken work similar to your requirements. Ask them to discuss any similar projects and don’t be afraid to ask for contact details so that you can request a referral.

Conclusion

Following your discussions with your shortlist, and upon receiving their initial quotes, you should have a fair idea as to which web design company you are likely to partner with. If you feel like you need to speak to each company once more, do so, as you’re likely to be making a serious financial investment and it’s crucial that you make the right decision.

Got a project in mind?

01536 391 745 hello@tjdesign.uk

Five steps to creating successful web sites

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1) Planning and preparation

a) Ascertain the main purpose of the web site and your key demographic.

b) Analyse your main competitors, do they employ similar tactics? Are they making any critical mistakes? How can you improve on their web presence?

c) Carefully plan the structure and navigation of your web site, remembering that ideally, no page will be more than 3 clicks away at any point, with your key content web pages easily indexable by major search engines and spiders.

d) Think about the appearance and style of your web site. Pick 3 appropriate web sites you like, and 3 you dislike, focusing on the web site design. List exactly which aspects you would like to incorporate onto your own web site. Think about which colours suit your business, if you have branding in place, think about colours that do not contrast with this.

2) Design

Following the preparation stage, you should be in a position to give your web site designer their first brief. In this, you’ll have laid out clear instructions as to which demographic they’re designing for, how you would like your web site design to look, and which functionality it should contain (e.g. if you’re having an ecommerce system built, you may wish to have account handling and shopping cart functions).

The web designer will usually then create a series of mock-up web designs, in which you’ll be asked to carefully consider each one and comment. You may fall in love with the first one you see, you may dislike all of them, or you find a separate piece of each web design you like, don’t be afraid to give an opinion!

3) Development

Once the web design is signed off, a process usually required to be confirmed in writing or via a contract, the actual creation of the web site begins. Dynamic content, such as animation, ecommerce, a message board or general web pages controlled by a content management system will be created.

4) Test, test and test again

Upon completion of your web site, and after your designer has placed your web site on a suitable testing server, it is crucial that at the very least you and your designer test the web site thoroughly, placing particular attention to the critical functions of your web site. If you’re running an ecommerce system, does the shopping cart work? If your website is a message board, can visitors of all security levels post to it?

Asking family, friends or work colleagues to have a look is often advisable, this will allow you to see how the website is used by a vast array of personalities and competencies.

Once you’re happy with the site’s functionality, it is ready to place it live!

5) Final Analysis

Give yourself 2 to 4 weeks after the web site’s live date, to analyse it’s performance. Are there any sections over or under performing? Would your business benefit by some minor adjustments to the structure?

Remember, your web site will ideally last you a long period of time, and it’s critical that it not only does it’s job, but it performs to the best of it’s ability.

Got a project in mind?

01536 391 745 hello@tjdesign.uk

Five web design pitfalls to avoid

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The goal of any design is to effectively communicate a message. Typically this means promoting a brand or selling a product.

1. Less is more.

Every element added to a design increases cognitive dissonance, meaning that it makes the site’s message more difficult for the customer to find. It will take some constraint, but I promise that less is more when communicating a brand message.

2. Color Palette

Consistency of message is important and that includes colors. If you have a set of official colors, those should be the colors used in your website. Ideally those same colors will be used on every page. A constantly changing color selection implies haphazard organization, while a consistent color scheme looks professional.

3. Typography

With the huge selection of fonts freely available online, it’s tempting to use a different font for every element of your design. Like your color palette, it’s important to choose two or three fonts at most and stick with them throughout your marketing materials.

4. Photos

Photos are fantastic to connect with your customers, but they’re also the most obvious indicator of your professionalism. A stock photo from the Web or your Uncle’s point and shoot camera will immediately cheapen your brand’s integrity. With photos, more than anything else, it’s important to use exclusively professional photos to flatter your brand and products.

5. Social Media Circus

While social media is important, its significance is often overstated. What is important is to be accessible to your customers. Before signing up for that shiny new web2.0 service, ask yourself how it will help your business. Does it make me more accessible to my customers? Do I have to manage it daily? If you can’t check a service daily, people who use it to contact you will be frustrated. Choose your social media wisely or hire a social media manager.

Got a project in mind?

01536 391 745 hello@tjdesign.uk