5 Tips Series

In a world determined to keep us scrolling, I provide meaningful, actionable quick reads to support you throughout your web design project.

5 MINUTE READS

500 WORDS

5 questions to ask when you interview a prospective website design partner

July 6, 2023

A skilled website designer will create a visually stunning and user-friendly site that will set you apart from the rest. You need to trust your website design partner and that all begins with your first conversation.

Communication is key to the process. Here are five questions to prepare prior to your introduction call:

1. How will the process work?

Explore what the project looks like in practical terms – how they intend to get a feel for what you want in terms of design, strategy and functionality, which milestones you need to prepare for, how you can add input and revise the design, how they will communicate with you throughout the project and a rough estimate of timeline.

2. Have you completed similar projects before?

She may have worked for professionals working in the same or a similar industry, or she might have designed a website with a similar goal, strategy or functionality in a completely different field. She should be able to provide concrete examples and testimonials, but keep in mind that a busy designer doesn’t always have time between jobs to create extensive portfolios (and there are some projects they may not be at liberty to share).

3. What will you expect from me?

As a web design client, you will be expected to play an active role in the project. You need your designer to be clear up front about what they need from you (and when they’ll need your input).

4. What do you consider to be within and outside of the scope of works?

The scope of works in website design refers to a detailed description or outline of all the tasks, deliverables, and activities involved in the design and development of a website, including specific features, functionality, design elements, and project requirements. It is important that you’re on the same page as your designer from the get go about where your responsibility as the client starts and ends.

5. Can you work with my specific requirements?

Important components underpin the way you run your business and, ultimately, your success. Your requirements could include contact forms, onboarding forms, CRM, email marketing sign ups, downloads, membership pages, booking systems, paywalls, social media streams, blog posts, videos, your contributions to academic journals and books and much more. List out everything your dream website needs, and expect your website designer to recommend further plugins and functionalies during the design stage of your website build.

The clients I support see the value I add to the project, and I appreciate and value them. Website design is a collaborative and interactive journey which should be well organised and enhanced by great communication on both sides.

I want you to find a website design partner you trust. If you think that person could be me, send me a message at hello@the-highboard.com to share your thoughts.

Digital Marketing

5 questions to ask clients when asking for a testimonial

A brilliant testimonial is a fantastic way to avoid long, gimmicky sales pages and show your dream client why they need to pick you. Let’s explore the questions we should be asking to create a great testimonial.

September 25, 2023

Getting Started

5 professionals to outsource to for your web design project

Yep, you could totally build your website entirely on your own…but is it the best use of your time. Here are the five people to call on for a seamless website build.

September 20, 2023

Web Design for Creative Professionals

5 components of a great website for interior designers and photographers

As a creative, the pressure might feel like it’s firmly on your shoulders when it comes to building your website. Let’s celebrate your creativity and find ways to leverage your website to connect you with your ideal clients.

September 12, 2023

I would love to support you.

You are a hard working, well-qualified and experienced professional. You have expertise and confidence in your skills and you are well-respected in your field. You have loyal clients and have worked hard to develop strong relationships with them.

Now, you’re at a crossroads. You want to increase visibility and drive traffic to your site, targeting your ideal clients and boosting your revenue, but you feel self-conscious about the current iteration of your website and that’s stalling your marketing efforts. In the past, you put pressure on yourself to do it all on your own and you worked hard to create the website you have now, but you know in your heart you need a more sales focussed and professional website to attract the clients you want to work with.

You want to work with an experienced and supportive website design expert who can guide you to a more polished and professional site that works harder behind the scenes.

You’re not about busy, chaotic websites and endless sales scripts – you are strong enough and confident enough in your expertise to say all you need via meaningful copy, on-brand imagery and glowing testimonials.

In a world determined to keep us online, you speak volumes by representing your brand with confidence, clarity and style. By letting your hard work speak for itself without sneaky sales gimmicks. By respecting your clients’ time (and your own) and allowing them to access the information they need in a way that feels both intuitive and joyful.