Five Tips for Hiring a Church Website Designer

Church website designers seem to be a dime a dozen nowadays. There are so many to choose from. But how do you go about finding the right church web designer for you? Here are several tips you need to know when hiring a church web designer:

1) Surf your church web designer’s website. If you have been referred to a church web designer and said web designer does not even have a web site, stop right there, back away from the computer for a moment and consider this fact. The very first thing a church web designer should have is a web site, and preferably one that they created themselves. So find a church web designer that has a website and take a good look at it. A designer may have a completely different website than you want, but that’s ok because their website is designed for a web designer and chances are, you’re not a web designer and may need something different…they know that. The point is to look for three universal things that make up a good web design: a) Usability: is it easy to navigate? Were you able to find the links you needed right away? Or did you go on a scavenger hunt and left without a prize? b) “The Clutter-Factor”: How organized is the website? Is it visually appealing? Or do you have to look away feeling the affects of sensory overload as if you just walked onto the set of a Beatles music video circa 1967? (this is asking if the site feels chaotic). c) Aesthetic: Much of the aesthetic of a website is psychologically based. So how do you feel upon seeing the color scheme, the graphics, the effects? Are you left wanting to see something a little more creative?

A church web designer’s website should exemplify their services and give you a good indication of their knowledge of web design. If you’re looking at a church web designer’s site that doesn’t meet the above criteria you may want to look somewhere else. I’m not saying a church web designer who doesn’t meet those three points couldn’t design a great website for you, but their site should be the first point of reference for their potential clients just as your website will be for your potential visitors. See how that works?

2) Technophile and Creative: Your designer should be both web savvy as well as creative. It’s a hard balance for some to achieve but great web designers typically seem to be amazingly both left-brained and right. You want your church web designer to know the ins and outs of all that technical stuff that makes your head spin but also have an artistic sensibility that allows them to create a website that suits you in both the visual aspect as well as usability.

3) Can your designer offer suggestions? You have some ideas for your site, sure, but maybe it’s not really your area of expertise. You just know you want a church website that brings traffic. A good church web designer should be able to give you suggestions rather than just doing exactly as you say. If it’s not your area of expertise, it’s likely that a designer can provide some insight and knowledge that you don’t readily have. Now, if you want a professional looking church website but they come up with a pink background with green polka dots then they aren’t listening to you or hey don’t know what “professional” means. It’s their job to create your vision but also to make it the best it can be so that you look your best as well.

4) The Functionality Aspect: Look for a designer who can provide the functionality you need. Do you need or want flash? Do you have need of an e-mail newsletter sign-up? Do you have products to sell? Do you want a forum or a blog? Contact forms? Photo galleries? Webcasts? If you need or want these things be sure your church web designer can provide them for you before you sign anything or shell out any money.

5) You Get What You Pay For: If you hire a church web designer based solely on the fact that they are the cheapest around, well, then you may as well just walk over to your fireplace, light a log and throw your money in. The old adage “you get what you pay for” is certainly true in the world of web design. On the flip-side, there are also only so many bells and whistles you can put on a church website so don’t go the other way and assume that the more expensive a church web designer is the better website you’ll get. Just find one that meets the criteria in the article that is within your budget and you should be good to go.

Follow these 5 Tips for hiring a church website designer and you should come out with a fabulous website that puts your church on the map and starts driving that coveted traffic.