The Biggest Warning Sign of Bad Web Designers? No Portfolio!
Of all the cardinal sins web designers make, the biggest of them all can be not having a portfolio at the ready. In your search for a web designer for your healthcare practice, those without portfolios need to be skipped over. It is one of the biggest warning signs of bad web designers Why are portfolios so important? Capella University gives a brilliant answer:
Portfolios are a great way to demonstrate the competencies you would list on a resume or talk about in an interview — they allow you to show and not just tell. During a job search, the portfolio showcases your work to potential employers. It presents evidence of your relevant skills and abilities. Portfolios are also helpful for independent contractors, consultants, or business owners who need to provide work samples to potential clients.
Portfolios show skills AND the growth of a web designer. You trace the maturation of a web designer through their portfolio. Since many designers tend to be self-taught, you need to rely on other factors because their educational background. Ultimately, those designers without portfolios either don’t care about their work or don’t have the skill.
No Website or A Bad Website
Along with portfolios, a designers website is a window to their quality of work. Another big warning sign of a bad web designer is one with no website or one that looks like Amazon circa 1995.
A website allows you to learn more about a web designer. Through a great website, you see how they showcase their skills and bring them to life. As with any website, it should contain the following elements:
- Easy-to-navigate
- Be optimized for Smartphone, iPads and other mobile devices
- Filled with pertinent information
- Contains plenty of whitespace so its pleasing to the eye
- Contains testimonials and positive reviews from clients
When a web designer has no website or one that is poorly made, it is a red flag.
No Online Presence
Another one of the warning signs of bad web designers is a lack of online presence. It goes without saying that social media is everywhere. Social media platforms are thick on the ground, and give web designers and others a place to show their wares.
While a web designer doesn’t have to have a presence on all social media channels, a lack of presence is a warning sign of a bad web designer. However, if a designer is absent from channels that are geared towards web design, that raises a red flag.
Like with all fields, web sign is rapidly evolving. As a result, web designers need to keep up with emerging trends in order to adapt–or they get left behind.
When you are looking at potential candidates, you can look past a lack of presence on platforms such as Facebook or Instagram. In recent years, web designers have moved away from these social platforms. Instead, focus your search on platforms such as Behance, LinkedIn and Designer News. If the web designer you are looking at publishes blogs, articles on those platforms all the better.
Working Without a Contract: Another Warning Sign of Bad Web Designers
Another sure sign of a bad web designer is one who offers to work with you without a contract. On the surface, this may seem like a great benefit to you. No red tape, no hassles, maybe some room to haggle and change things–what can go wrong?
The short answer–anything and everything! It goes without saying…CONTRACTS ARE IMPORTANT AND NECESSARY.
What is a contract exactly? Let’s take a look at the definition of a contract according to the Business Dictionary:
A voluntary, deliberate, and legally binding agreement between two or more competent parties
Simple enough, right? A contract shows the commitment between two parties outlining obligations and expectations for work that will be performed, hourly rates, final price of the website when completed, maintenance and additional projects and needs as they arise.
You may think you can trust a web designer with a handshake deal, but what happens when the project goes south? What happens when the web designer disappears, doesn’t meet deadlines, or delivers work that is substandard after you pay a substantial sum of money? Without the specifics written down, you are left holding the proverbial bag.
They Charge Too Much…Or Too Little
The web designer is not a highly regulated industry. As a result, web designers can pretty much what they want. While this technically may be true, a web designer who charges too much or too little in regards to the scale of your practice is a warning sign of a bad web designer.
Web designers can belong in different tiers. From those who design simple websites for non-profits to those who those who design for e-commerce or big brands, the rate they charge can significantly fluctuate. When taking price into consideration, shop around carefully. Look at what the competition is charging and make your decision based on the quality of work and the scope of your practice.
Minimize the Warning Signs of Bad Web Designers By Doing Your Research
Did you make a bad choice regarding web designers in the past and got burned?
Are you venturing into the world of finding a designer for the first time and don’t know where to look?
As already stated, web design is a constantly evolving world. When looking for a quality designer to work on your website, there are so many factors to take into consideration. Without guidance and diligent research, you can end up throwing good money away. As a result, you will end up with a website that won’t get the traffic and can end up doing damage to your reputation
Take the guesswork out of web design and call the experienced professionals at Stodzy International Marketing today. Our design team as many years experience working with clients large and small in the healthcare field. We will work with you in creating a high-quality website that will build your client base for the long term.
Call us today for your complimentary evaluation and consultation.
