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[J69]Jobs For Web Designer

by Paul Coupe, Pau

These days more and more organisations are looking at contacting their client base through email. While arguments over this type of direct marketing approach still rage, there is little doubt that email has become a complementary form of promotion, alongside other, more traditional methods. The real beauty with email is the speed with which it can be put together and fired off out to hundreds and thousands of recipients. Whether the push behind the email shot is considered legitimate or not, email as a marketing tool is likely to be with us for a long time to come.

Organisations have possibly been enticed by the promise of huge cost savings over tradition print and postal options. This may well be true, but the big issue many tend to ignore are the click through and conversion rates. There is a noticeable trade off in the relationship between effort / cost, verses the returns. This return on investment (ROI) depends upon many factors, but there is little benefit from saving a bundle compared to other options and in return receiving much less response. While we can discuss issues such as targeted mailing lists…ie customers who are known to have particular interest etc, very little discussion surrounds actual email design.

Now that organisations are adopting HTML email, a whole new world is opening up for the talented designer. To a greater extent we can begin to apply many of the rules we’ve learnt from web site design. While there’ll always be a minority who’ll hate logos, colour and animation, used skilfully, to most these are techniques that can really engage and in turn increase response rates. As with web design we need to consider how to convey the message with the right mix of graphics, text and navigation. It’s doubtful if email will ever be considered art, although it should be, nevertheless imaginative design will always win out over bland text only variants. Some of this obviously depends upon the audience. Subscribers to a particular update bulletin will not necessarily need all the bells and whistles. But as with other forms of marketing, where people need eye-catching enticements, good design is essential.

Some of the best emails are naturally emerging from the large organisations. This doesn’t mean they all score well in the design stakes. In fact some larger concerns are still rather backward in their approach, but on the whole there are some great examples to learn from. With the advent of broadband, in the same way web sites have suddenly become more adventurous, so can the email. Now we can attempt to captivate the reader with embedded animation, video or even games for instance. So long as Microsoft doesn’t apply any more restraints through new versions of Outlook, email can really begin to reach it’s full potential. So the message for those who want to inject some life into their electronic communications is to think about improving the visual impact of their emails by using good web designers.

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1. Ask around for referrals

You need to first find some options. You could look for web designers in your local phone book or search for web sites on the Internet, but the truth is that the best way to find a web designer who is going to do a good job is to talk to people who've used web designers. Talk to others in your field. Talk to other people you've worked with, such as copywriters. Ask around, and you'll be likely to hear some good things about a couple of web designers, at least.

2. Get 3 quotes

Since price is going to be a factor in which web designer you choose and since prices vary a great deal, you should always get a minimum of three quotes from three different web designers. But comparison isn't the only reason to get these quotes. You'll also learn something about the web designers' customer service: if they don't respond quickly before you're a client, imagine how they'll respond after they've already got your business.

3. Look for experience

You don't want to work with a web designer who's just starting out if you want a professional quality site. So you should ask about their experience. That doesn't just mean how many years have they been working in this field but also how many sites have they created during that time and how many different clients they've worked with. The more experience your web designer has the better but also greater experience means greater cost.

4. Meet your needs

You also need to make sure your web designer can meet your needs. If you want interactive elements in your site or if you want some Flash demos, then you've got to make sure your web designer can provide these features. Don't rely on a web designer who has no experience in these areas.

5. View portfolio

Web designers usually include links to samples of their work on their web sites. If not, you should inquire about viewing their portfolio. You need to see for yourself what these web designers are capable of doing before you sign on the dotted line.

6. Communicate clearly

An often overlooked issue when choosing a web designer is how easy it will be for the two of you to communicate. For example, will you be able to talk over the phone or only email? Are you in similar time zones so communication can be fast? Additionally, you should choose a web designer you can understand – that doesn't mean just someone who speaks your same language but also someone who doesn't rely on techno-jargon to explain things.

7. Read testimonials

While looking at a web designer's work is important, you should also make it a point to check out the testimonials their clients have left them. Sometimes these are also listed on the web designer's site. If not, you might want to ask if you can contact their past clients so you can get a feel for their abilities.

8. Ask about support

With some web designers, the moment your site is finished, your relationship is finished. That's probably not what you want. Hopefully, you choose a web designer who provides ongoing support, meaning they'll be happy to answer questions you have about your site even after it's been up for months.

9. Share vision

One important element of choosing a web designer is that they share your vision for your site. If they don't, then you'll find the entire process frustrating, time-consuming, and disappointing. At the end, you'll end up with a web site you're not happy with. Explain to potential web designers what you are looking for and be open to their ideas but remember that the site and final decisions about the site should be yours.

10. Sign a contract

With any web designer, you should sign a written contract that outlines your entire agreement. If a web designer doesn't use written contracts, you should look elsewhere. If there's a dispute over your agreement, both of you will benefit from having the terms in writing.

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About Author

Both Paul Coupe & Roger Cochran are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.

Paul Coupe has sinced written about articles on various topics from SEO Search Engine Optimization, Computers and The Internet and Email Marketing. Paul Coupe is lead designer / developer with Zoom Online.Zoom Online is a UK based specialist web design company providing total online solutions.