3 Signs It’s Time to Break Up With Your Website Designer

In the digital age, business owners need attractive, reliable websites to serve their customers. Considering that the first organic Google search result receives 32.5% of the total traffic share, not having a website can be disastrous for your organization’s ability to grow. And while marketing techniques can help consumers find your site, the truth is that they aren’t going to stick around if your website is overwhelming and difficult to navigate.

That’s where your website designer comes in, of course. An experienced web designer can ensure that your online hub functions as it should and attracts the users in your target demographic. But not all website designers are created equal. While there are many designers who can create a superb final product, there are others who simply don’t have the time, the skill, or the knowledge to produce the results you’re after.

Ideally, you’ll want to find out this information before you hire someone to overhaul your website. But if you don’t know what to look for, it’s entirely possible you could end up hiring someone who isn’t qualified or who can’t provide what you need. How do you know when it’s time to fire your current website designer and find someone else? Here are three telltale signs it’s time to break things off and move on.

1. You can’t get in touch with them: Consistent communication is key when designing websites. If you have questions for your designer, you should know that you’ll get a response within a reasonable amount of time. Unfortunately, there have been instances wherein a designer will be paid for a project and disappear or delay a project for months. While you can’t expect an independent contractor to be at your beck and call, it’s perfectly legitimate to expect a reply within a week or so. Before you hire anyone, make sure you’re on the same page with your communication. If you find that your designer refuses to get back to you or won’t answer your questions, it’s time to start looking elsewhere.
2. They’ve taken too much creative license: Creativity is a necessary trait for a web designer to have. However, this actually isn’t the most important consideration when designing a website. Sure, you don’t want your site to look run-of-the-mill. But going overboard with creativity can be a detriment to your website’s functionality. Above all else, customers want to easily find the information they’re after. If user-friendly features are being sacrificed for design elements that are unique but confusing, you’re going to end up driving customers away. Ultimately, this comes down to a mutual understanding of your target audience and your company’s branding, as well as the vital balance between attractive design and functionality. If your designer has shown you previews of your site that make you feel overwhelmed or feel aren’t a good fit for your brand — and they haven’t implemented feedback you’ve given — you may need to explore other options.
3. They won’t let you update: The DIY approach isn’t recommended when designing a website, but that doesn’t mean you’ll always need to rely on someone else to make small updates. Business owners should at least have the capability to update the content on their site as information evolves. Some designers might try to restrict access by denying credentials so they don’t lose clients. But having to pay your designer for each small change will prove inefficient and costly. Although you shouldn’t expect your designer to train you on how to use these systems, you should at least be given the tools to make future updates. If your designer refuses to provide you with this information or is trying to force you to pay a monthly maintenance fee, it may be time to end the relationship.

By taking your time to research website designers in your niche and asking the right questions, you should be able to avoid these issues. But if any of these signs sound familiar, you may want to seize the opportunity to see what else is out there. For more information on how we can improve your current website, please contact us today.