I freelance and one of things I come across a lot is that even though there are some really great designers, their coding skills lack big time. It is common for me to fix some of the WordPress issues where something was hard- coded when there could have either been a widget or a theme option put in place. This post is mostly directed toward those who do use the freelance boards to post their projects.
Simple things like that help a client with how they can manage their website, especially if they are not as web savvy. A lot of times these websites are for business owners who are not wanting a long manual on how to use their website. They want it to be easy enough that your directions are few and pretty much written for dummies.
Of course there are reason why people might run into a design fail:
- Choosing a bad or not as knowledgeable designer/ coder.
- Wanted to go the cheap route.
- Not making it clear with the designer on what is needed for the site.
- Language barrier. (A lot of freelancers online are from all over the world and sometimes communication does become a problem.)
- Unwilling to learn a little, even if it only takes 5 minutes
- Rushing a design project to be completed.
It is important to gather the information together on what you want on your website before seeking out a designer or looking for a theme. It might take surfing sites to get an idea of a look or a general mock-up. Your site is important as it is your virtual business card to the world.
While you might be impressed with a portfolio, always have questions:
- What does the designer propose to do in order to complete your site?
- Does the designer have a better or more effective method in designing the site?
- How user-friendly will the site be for both visitor and administrator?
Some designers may say that something is not able to be done, but that means one thing: they do not know how to do it. If you just google what you need, you might be able to find someone who can complete your project. There are few things that cannot be designed into a website. Your best bet is to find a designer that even if they cannot complete one element, that they are resourceful enough to refer to someone who can. Reliable designers that have a good reputation online often have knowledge of “who is who” and what they can do.
Have you had a design fail in the past? How did it happen? What did you learn from it and what advice can you give to others?
