How to find a good website designer

Top 5 Things Your Web Designer Must Know About Your Business

You know how everyone’s got an opinion about everything? Especially when it comes to something as crucial as building a website.Especially the topic, “How do you find a good web designer?” It got me thinking about the typical advice people get on this topic.

When researching how to find a good web designer, the most common advice you’ll probably hear is to just look at their portfolio, read reviews, and make sure they fit your budget. In a way, that advice is helpful since doing these things can lead to finding a competent designer. But I always advise people interested in building a standout website to dig a little deeper because understanding the nuances of your business is what truly makes a good designer great.

So in this post, I’ll be sharing the top 5 things your web designer must know about your business to create a website that’s not just pretty but also perfectly aligned with your business goals.

Let’s kick things off with a juicy tidbit: Did you know that 38% of people will stop engaging with a website if the content or layout is unattractive? Ouch! The stakes are high, folks.

A mismatch between your business needs and your web design can spell disaster, like trying to fit a square peg in a round hole. The potential disconnect between what your business needs and what a designer delivers is a common problem. That’s why it’s crucial to ensure your designer knows these five key things about your business.

1. Your Target Audience

Explanation: Imagine this scenario: you’ve been tasked with planning a surprise party. Sounds fun, right? But there’s a catch—you don’t know who the guest of honor is. Is it your quirky Aunt Jane who loves vintage tea sets? Or is it your adventure-seeking best friend who’s obsessed with bungee jumping?

Without this crucial info, your party could end up being a hodgepodge of mismatched themes, leaving everyone scratching their heads. It would be chaos, pure and simple. The same goes for your website. If your web designer doesn’t know exactly who your target audience is, you’re setting yourself up for a digital disaster.

Your target audience is the lifeblood of your business. It influences everything from the design elements to the tone of your content. Think of your audience as the VIP guests of your website. Everything needs to cater to their tastes, preferences, and needs. If you get this right, your website will be a hit. Get it wrong, and you’ll be throwing a digital dud.

Our  Tips

So, how do you ensure your web designer knows your audience as well as you do?

Provide Detailed Audience Demographics and Preferences: Paint a vivid picture of your ideal customers. Are they young professionals balancing work and life, always on the hunt for efficiency hacks? Or perhaps they’re busy parents looking for quick, reliable solutions to make their lives easier? Maybe they’re tech enthusiasts who drool over the latest gadgets and gizmos. Whoever they are, spell it out for your designer. The more they know, the better they can tailor the site to attract and engage these specific people.

Understand Their Pain Points and Desires: What keeps your audience up at night? What dreams and aspirations do they have? Understanding these elements helps your designer craft a website that speaks directly to their hearts. It’s like being a mind reader, but without the crystal ball.

Use Real-Life Examples and Personas: Create detailed personas for your audience segments. Give them names, backgrounds, and even quirky habits. For instance, meet Eco Ellie, a 28-year-old graphic designer who loves sustainable living and spends weekends at farmers’ markets. This level of detail helps your designer envision the real people who will be using the site.

Examples: Suppose your target audience is eco-conscious millennials, like our friend Eco Ellie. They care deeply about sustainability and minimalism. Your web designer, armed with this knowledge, might choose a sleek, minimalist design with earthy tones and plenty of white space. They might incorporate elements like recycled paper textures and green icons to subtly reinforce the eco-friendly message. The content could highlight sustainable practices and ethical sourcing, striking a chord with Ellie’s values.

Or imagine your audience is tech-savvy Gen Z gamers who live for the thrill of the next big release. Your web designer might opt for a vibrant, high-energy design with bold graphics and interactive elements. The tone of the content could be edgy and fun, using gamer lingo and pop culture references to create a connection.

Your Brand Identity

Imagine your brand as the personality of your business. It’s what makes you unique, memorable, and relatable to your customers. Just like you wouldn’t dress in a clown costume for a serious business meeting (unless your business is clowning around, of course), your website needs to dress the part, too. Your web designer needs to understand your brand identity to ensure your website isn’t just a digital brochure but an extension of your brand’s personality. It should feel like your business, resonate with your audience, and tell your story in a way that’s authentic and engaging.

Why is this so crucial? Well, your website is often the first interaction potential customers have with your brand. If it doesn’t reflect who you are, it can create a disconnect that leaves visitors confused and uninterested. A website that aligns with your brand identity, on the other hand, can build trust, reinforce your values, and create a lasting impression that turns visitors into loyal customers.

Our Tips

Share Your Brand Guidelines: These are like the DNA of your brand. They define everything from your logo usage to your color schemes and typography. By sharing your brand guidelines with your web designer, you ensure that the visual elements of your website align perfectly with your overall brand aesthetic. It’s like giving them the recipe to bake your brand’s signature cake.

Communicate Your Core Values: What does your brand stand for? What are the principles that guide your business decisions? Your core values are the heart and soul of your brand. When your designer understands these values, they can create a website that not only looks good but also feels right. It’s about creating an emotional connection with your audience.

Visual Elements: Your logo, color palette, and imagery are the visual shorthand for your brand. They need to be used consistently across all platforms to create a cohesive look and feel. Think of it as your brand’s wardrobe—everything should match and make sense together.

Brand Voice and Tone: Your website’s copy should sound like you. Whether your brand voice is formal and authoritative or casual and friendly, your designer needs to know this to ensure the tone is consistent throughout your site. It’s like having a conversation with your audience; you want it to feel natural and genuine.

Let’s dive into a real-world example to illustrate the importance of brand identity. Take Apple, for instance. Their brand identity is sleek, innovative, and user-friendly. Every element of their website reflects this identity. The design is clean and minimalist, the navigation is intuitive, and the visuals are high-quality and polished. This isn’t just by chance; it’s a deliberate effort to create a cohesive brand experience that builds trust and recognition.

Another great example is Nike. Their brand is all about inspiration, athleticism, and empowerment. Their website reflects this through bold visuals, motivating taglines, and an overall energetic vibe. The site isn’t just a place to buy shoes; it’s an extension of Nike’s commitment to excellence and athletic spirit.

So, why does your web designer need to know all this? Because a website that doesn’t reflect your brand identity is like a mismatched puzzle piece. It might fit in the general shape, but it won’t look or feel right. Your designer needs to know who you are, what you stand for, and how you want to be perceived. This knowledge allows them to create a website that feels like a natural extension of your brand, reinforcing your message and creating a cohesive experience for your visitors.

When your website aligns with your brand identity, it acts as a powerful tool for storytelling and connection. Visitors will immediately understand who you are and what you’re about, which builds trust and encourages engagement. It’s the difference between a forgettable first impression and a lasting connection.

Want to learn more about professional designs? check out our services page for our design findamentals  course

Identify Primary and Secondary Goals: Prioritize your goals to help your designer understand what’s most important. Your primary goal might be to boost sales, while a secondary goal could be increasing social media engagement. Knowing these priorities helps the designer focus on the most critical aspects first while also incorporating elements that support your secondary objectives.

Measure Success: Discuss with your designer how you’ll measure success. What key performance indicators (KPIs) will you track? These might include conversion rates, bounce rates, average session duration, or other metrics relevant to your goals. Having clear metrics in place will help both you and your designer evaluate the effectiveness of the website and make necessary adjustments.

Let’s say your primary goal is to boost online sales. Your web designer, armed with this information, might focus on creating an intuitive e-commerce platform with streamlined checkout processes. They’ll ensure the shopping experience is as smooth as silk, with easy navigation, clear product descriptions, and enticing visuals. They might also incorporate features like customer reviews, related product suggestions, and secure payment options to enhance trust and encourage purchases.

Now, suppose your secondary goal is to grow your email subscriber list. Your designer can create prominent sign-up forms and compelling call-to-action (CTA) buttons throughout the site. Maybe they’ll design a pop-up that appears when visitors are about to leave the site, offering a discount or exclusive content in exchange for their email address. This dual focus ensures that while your primary goal is met, your secondary objectives are also being worked towards.

Or perhaps your goal is to build a community. Your designer might include a blog section, forums, or social media integration where visitors can engage, comment, and share content. They might create a members-only area with exclusive content, fostering a sense of belonging and loyalty among your audience.

Why Your Designer Needs to Know This:

Without a clear understanding of your business goals, your web designer is like a ship’s captain without a map. They might create something that looks fantastic but doesn’t really help you achieve what you need. By sharing your goals, you give them the roadmap to create a website that not only looks good but works hard for your business. It ensures that every design choice, from layout to functionality, is aligned with your objectives.

When your website is designed with your business goals in mind, it becomes a powerful tool for growth. It attracts the right visitors, engages them effectively, and drives them to take the actions that matter most to your business. Whether it’s making a purchase, signing up for a newsletter, or joining your community, a goal-focused website turns visitors into loyal customers and advocates for your brand.

4. Your Competitors

 Alright, let’s get a bit sneaky. Keeping an eye on the competition isn’t just smart; it’s essential. Think of it like this: you’re on the great British bake off . You’ve got your secret family recipe for the best chocolate cake ever. But before you start baking, wouldn’t it be wise to check out what the other bakers are whipping up? Maybe someone’s adding a dash of chili for a spicy twist, or perhaps another is going gluten-free. By analyzing what your competitors are doing, you can find ways to make your cake—erm, I mean, your website—even better.

By examining competitors’ websites, your designer can glean valuable insights into industry standards and identify opportunities to stand out. It’s about understanding the landscape so you can see where the gaps are and how you can fill them. Knowing what’s out there ensures you’re not just keeping up with the Joneses, but leaving them in the dust.

Need to learn more about SEO check out our courses page for me 

 Our Tips

Share Competitors’ Strengths and Weaknesses: Start by doing a little reconnaissance. What are your competitors doing well? Semrush has all sorts of data about this.  Do they have a killer blog section with tons of engagement? Is their e-commerce platform smooth and user-friendly? On the flip side, where are they falling short? Maybe their site takes forever to load, or their navigation is clunkier than a rusty old tractor. Share these insights with your designer. Knowing the strengths to match and the weaknesses to avoid helps in crafting a site that stands head and shoulders above the rest.

Benchmark Industry Standards: Your designer needs to know what’s considered top-notch in your industry. If all the top players in your field have slick, modern designs with advanced search functionalities, your site needs to be in that league. If interactive features like chatbots or customer forums are common, you might want to include those as well. The goal is to meet or exceed the current standards so your site feels modern and competitive.

Identify Gaps and Opportunities: This is where the magic happens. By analyzing competitors, you can find areas they’ve missed or underutilized. Maybe none of your competitors have a robust FAQ section, or perhaps they’re all lacking in providing personalized user experiences. These gaps are golden opportunities for you to shine. Your designer can incorporate these elements into your site, giving you a competitive edge.

Let’s dive into a couple of scenarios to see how this plays out in the real world.

Imagine you’re in the boutique fitness industry. You’ve scoped out your competitors and noticed that their websites are generally clunky and outdated. Their class schedules are hard to find, and booking a session feels like navigating a labyrinth. By sharing these observations with your designer, they can craft a sleek, modern site with easy-to-navigate schedules and a seamless booking process. Your website will immediately stand out, offering a breath of fresh air to potential clients.

Conversely, suppose you’re running an online fashion store. Your competitors have strong user engagement features like customer reviews, style guides, and virtual try-ons. If your site lacks these, you’re missing out. Share these insights with your designer so they can incorporate similar or even better features. Maybe they can add a live chat for style advice or a more interactive virtual fitting room. Matching and surpassing these elements ensures your site competes at the highest level.

Why Your Designer Needs to Know This:

Your designer isn’t just an artist; they’re a strategist. They need to understand the battlefield to arm your website with the best tools and features. By knowing what your competitors are doing, they can create a site that not only meets industry standards but sets new ones. It’s about being the trendsetter, not the follower.

Understanding your competitors helps your designer see the full picture. It’s like playing a game of chess where knowing the opponent’s moves can guide you to victory. They can anticipate challenges and opportunities, ensuring your website is not just another player on the field but the MVP.

Our Tips

Discuss Content Types: Different types of content require different design considerations. Will you be publishing blogs, videos, podcasts, infographics, or all of the above? Each type of content has its own unique needs. For instance, videos might require a prominent, easy-to-use player, while blogs need a clean, readable layout. By discussing the types of content you plan to produce, your designer can create spaces that highlight and support each one effectively.

Establish Posting Frequency: How often will you be updating your content? Daily news updates? Weekly blogs? Monthly newsletters? Consistency is key in maintaining audience engagement. If you’re planning frequent updates, your designer might suggest a dynamic homepage that automatically highlights the latest content. For less frequent updates, they might focus on creating evergreen content sections that always provide value.

Define the Tone: The tone of your content sets the mood for your entire website. Is your brand voice formal and professional, casual and friendly, or perhaps edgy and humorous? Your designer needs to know this to ensure the website’s design complements your tone. A mismatch here can confuse visitors and weaken your message. For instance, a corporate law firm with a playful, casual website design would feel out of place.

Suppose you’re running a news website that updates multiple times a day. Your content strategy is all about keeping readers informed with the latest headlines, breaking news, and in-depth analyses. Your web designer needs to know this to create a layout that prominently features the latest content. They might include elements like a ticker for breaking news, categorized sections for different types of stories, and easy navigation to past articles. The design should be dynamic and flexible to handle the constant influx of new content.

On the other hand, imagine you have a lifestyle blog focusing on personal growth and wellness. Your content strategy includes weekly blog posts, monthly video interviews, and seasonal e-books. The tone is casual, friendly, and inspiring. Your designer would likely suggest a layout that integrates visual storytelling and personal anecdotes seamlessly. This could include a blog section with large, inviting images, a dedicated video gallery, and a spotlight for your latest e-book. The design should feel warm and inviting, encouraging visitors to explore and engage with your content.

Why Your Designer Needs to Know This:

Without a clear understanding of your content strategy, your designer is like a chef trying to cook without knowing the ingredients. They might create a visually stunning website, but if it doesn’t support your content needs, it’s like serving a beautiful dish with no flavor. Your content strategy informs the structure, layout, and functionality of your site. It ensures that your content is not just present but is showcased in a way that maximizes its impact.

When your web designer knows your content strategy, they can craft a site that’s tailored to your needs. They can create layouts that make your content shine, navigation that guides visitors effortlessly, and features that enhance user engagement. This holistic approach ensures that your website isn’t just a collection of pages but a cohesive, engaging experience that resonates with your audience.

Learn more about how to monetize your website Make a website that makes money

Ready to take your website to the next level? Start by reviewing these points with your web designer. Make sure they’re in the loop and understand your vision. Need more hands-on guidance? Check out my web design and SEO courses, where you’ll dive deep into mastering these essentials. These courses are jam-packed with actionable insights and practical tips that can help you build a site that truly represents your brand and meets your business goals.

And if you’re looking for something quick and efficient, explore my range of professionally designed templates. These templates are crafted to give you a head start with modern, responsive designs that are easy to customize and implement. They’re perfect for anyone who wants a polished, professional look without starting from scratch.

But wait, there’s more! If you need a custom solution that’s tailor-made to your unique needs, I also offer bespoke website design services. Whether you need a sleek e-commerce platform, a dynamic blog, or a captivating portfolio site, I can help bring your vision to life with a design that’s as unique as your business.

Your business’s online presence is too important to overlook. Make sure your website is working for you, not against you. A well-designed website can be your best salesperson, your most engaging marketer, and your most reliable customer service rep—all rolled into one.

And if you’re looking for something truly unique, I also offer courses, templates and bespoke design services, and more resources to elevate your web game. Let’s make your website the star of the show!

TLDR? I’ve got ya

Q: What are the top 5 things a web designer must know about my business? A:

1. Your Target Audience
2. Your Brand Identity
3. Your Business Goals
4. Your Competitors
5. Your Content Strategy

Q: Why does my web designer need to know about my target audience?

A: Understanding your target audience helps tailor the design and content to attract and engage your ideal customers.

Q: How can brand identity affect my website design?

A: A strong brand identity ensures your website feels like an extension of your business, creating a cohesive and recognizable online presence.

Q: What’s the importance of communicating my business goals to my web designer?

A: Clear business goals guide the design process, ensuring your website serves a purpose, whether it’s driving sales, generating leads, or building a community.

Q: How can knowing my competitors benefit my website design?

A: Analyzing competitors’ websites helps identify industry standards and opportunities to stand out, giving your site a competitive edge.

Q: What role does content strategy play in web design?

A: A well-understood content strategy ensures your website supports and enhances your content, making it engaging and effective for your audience.

For more resources, visit our  courses page and start making your website work for you!

Wishing you freedom flexibility and financial abundance 

Until next time 

Nicki 

xoxo