Working With Your Website Designer

You've contracted a website designer. Now what? If you keep the following in mind, your project(s) will run smoothly.

Provide clear, specific instructions; include as much detail as possible
Send a list of 5-10 sites you like (or don't like) to the designer (provide explanations for your preferences)
Send your letterhead, brochures, logos and any other material with your color schemes/brand/and any other ideas you may have (on disc or in print)
Write your copy, then work with your designer to improve on the content for SEO
E-mail your outline and copy
Send materials on time
Make your designer aware of any special pages you may need
If you are not satisfied with any work, explain why, and give your designer the opportunity to correct it
Learn about your designer's policy for ongoing updates or site changes
Consider the designer's knowledge and suggestions when making any decisions
E-mail your designer FTP information and any User IDs/passwords requested
Make arrangements for billing: hosting, domain names and any other requested services

Tips:

These tips will keep you on track with your designer, and following them will ultimately lead to a professional design deployed in a timely manner.

Design is subjective. If you see something you don't like, employ diplomacy to change it (to something you do like).
Try to be as clear as possible early in the development phase. Major changes late in the process will send your designer to their "happy place".
Trust your designer. If you like the work in the portfolio, trust that the same quality work will be done for you.