Getting the Most from Your Cheap Web Designer

As a small business owner on a tight budget, hiring an affordable web designer seems like a good idea. However, working with a budget provider requires effort on your part to ensure you get maximum value. Here are some tips to help you make the most out of your engagement with an inexpensive web designer:

Clearly Communicate Your Goals

Don’t assume your cheap web designer will intuitively understand what you’re looking for. Create a brief detailing your goals, target audience, must-have features, and desired tone and aesthetics. Provide examples of websites you admire. This information helps them tailor the design to your brand. Set expectations upfront to avoid disappointment later.

Provide Brand Assets

To create visuals that align with your brand identity, supply your designer with assets like logos, fonts, color palettes, and images. Maintain a shared folder housing your brand guide, previous marketing materials, and any graphical elements relevant to your industry. This gives your designer easy access to visual references when conceptualizing your site’s look and feel.

Set a Timeline with Milestones

Agree on a realistic timeline right from the start, breaking down the project into milestones with due dates. This allows you to review the work periodically and provide feedback. Build in buffer time for revisions. Confirm upfront the number of design concepts and revisions included so there are no surprise add-on costs.

Give Clear, Constructive Feedback

Your input is crucial in shaping the final design. When reviewing concepts, don’t simply say you don’t like something. Explain what specifically doesn’t work and why. Suggest changes focused on shaping things closer to your vision. Treat your designer as a partner, not just a vendor. Clear communication gets better results.

Ask Lots of Questions

If something is not clear, don’t make assumptions. Ask your designer to explain their approach, the pros and cons of different options, and the rationale behind their creative choices. The more you understand, the better equipped you’ll be to make decisions. Demonstrate you value their expertise through active listening and meaningful discussion.

Stay Organized and Responsive

To keep the project moving smoothly, respond promptly when your input is needed. Keep all discussions, assets, and documents organized in one place. Set calendar reminders on feedback due dates so your cheap web designer isn’t waiting on you. A little diligence goes a long way.

Hiring an affordable web designer can get your business online with professional branding on a budget. Put in the effort to communicate well, provide assets and feedback, and the partnership will pay dividends with a website that meets your goals and resonates with your audience.