How to Hire a Freelance WordPress Web Designer

Like any profession, web design covers a wide range of skills and specialisms. Here are 5 tips to help you find the best freelance WordPress web designer for you.

1. Consider Web Design Costs and Get Estimates from a Range of Web Designers

Watch out for scams where a website gets designed for you without any input from you. Shop around, and ask each designer how you’ll be involved.

Two designers might produce similar-looking sites and still work very differently. Compare how they manage a project and what’s included, not only the finished design.

Cost matters when you’re creating a website, so get estimates from more than one professional designer. Ask each of them what they’d charge. Some offer a complete WordPress website for under £200. Don’t expect anything more than an off-the-shelf theme. Others charge over £2,000 for a complete website.

An estimate shows you how a designer values their time and expertise. It also hints at what they’ve charged previous clients, so check their testimonials and pricing sections for examples.

2. Find Someone Who Understands Your Needs

Working to a tight deadline? Some WordPress web designers can turn around an off-the-shelf website for your business quickly. They might not be the best option if you want someone to take the time to get to know your company, your needs and your goals. Their price list shows how long they plan to spend working with you on your website.

When you first contact an experienced WordPress web designer, they should be able to show you examples of their client onboarding process. That gives you a sense of how they’ll design your website. Some also offer a free consultation.

3. Check Their References and Review their Past Work

Ask past clients what it was like to work with the designer. They can tell you how well the designer delivered, whether they knew the subject and whether they’d collaborated with other clients before.

Treat references as evidence of how the designer works. They help you judge what to expect. They don’t guarantee the person is right for your project.

4. How to Judge a WordPress Web Designer’s Quality of Work?

You can judge a WordPress web designer on how many years they’ve been in the industry, the kinds of websites they’ve launched and their level of expertise.

Professionalism is another measure. Their websites should look professional and follow design trends. They should be easy to navigate, and they shouldn’t slow down your PC or phone when you visit them.

5. Be Aware of Red Flags like Unprofessionalism, Aggressive Marketing, or Lack of Experience

The same goes when you’re hiring a digital marketing company.

Be wary of companies that promise to rank you on the first page of Google within a few months. It isn’t realistic. When you’re hiring a digital agency, look at their experience and portfolio so you know what you’re getting into. Reputable companies won’t charge more for SEO or design work than the price they quoted. And it’s always better to hire an agency with a strong reputation and years of experience than one that’s only just started out.

Bonus: Checklist of Questions for Interviewing your freelance web designers - How will you know who does it best?

Before you start looking for a web designer, work out what you want from them. Then ask these questions before you hire anyone.

• Can you show us a portfolio of your work?

• Do you have any references?

• What is your process for handling projects?

• How much do we need to pay upfront and how often will we be billed as the project progresses?

• How do you manage expectations and deadlines?

Further reading

• What should I expect from hiring a web designer?
• How do you choose/hire a good web designer?