A beginner’s guide to website options, features, and services.

2. CHOOSING A WEB DESIGNER

Individual or firm?

When choosing a web designer you'll have a choice between larger web design firms or individual freelance web designers. Individual freelancers are usually generalists who will handle every aspect of making your website. Firms are composed of up to around ten people, and each person specializes in one aspect of your site.

Benefits.

Benefits of working with freelancers:

Ideal for non-enterprise level sites.
Can give your site a more personal flavor.
May be better at pulling all the parts of the site together since one person is doing it all.
Costs are less since there is much less overhead.

Benefits of working with a firm:

More expert specialization.
Possibly faster turnaround for large projects.

Liabilities.

Liabilities of contracting with freelancers:

They may be less stable than a firm. Note that Crunch42 has been around for 5 years and intends to be around in 25 years.
Freelancers, as generalists, may be more limited in expertise with certain specializations.

Cons of working with a firm:

They cost more than freelancers because of their overhead (ie salaries for sales, managers, admin).
Their internal beaurocracy may sometimes reach out to touch you.

Further considerations.

You should study the website of the individual or firm you’re considering hiring. Does their site look good? Do their work samples indicate that they have experience doing the type of thing you’re looking for? Do they offer testimonials or references? Do they offer a money-back guarantee?

Though you may be inclined to hire someone who lives near you, it’s really not necessary these days. Thousands of websites have been built for clients thousands of miles away from their designers, using only email, postal mail and voicemail to communicate.

Why not hire the author of this article for your next web site project?

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