Should I Hire a Web Designer or Build a Website Myself? 4 Things to Consider

No matter who you are, everyone seems to need a website, and that often means figuring out if you should try to build one yourself or if you should hire a web designer, developer or agency to do some work for you. But how do you know when you need to hire someone to help and when you can do it yourself? And if you do hire someone, how do you communicate about something that is outside your realm of experience, much less help direct the project to suit your business? During a recent webinar with design expert Michelle Schule, we learned how to unmask the “magic” of web design and learn to ask constructive questions, give useful feedback and develop a collaborative relationship that will benefit both of your businesses. [content_upgrade cu_id=”51491″]Learn more about web terminology in the new ebook: 65 Web Design Terms You Should Know[content_upgrade_button]Download now[/content_upgrade_button][/content_upgrade] Michelle Schulp of Marktime Media is an independent graphic designer and frontend developer in Minneapolis. Prior to beginning her career, she studied Visual Communications, with minors in Psychology and Sociology. As her work progressed, she also branched into front-end development and user experience design to round out her skillset. This combination of disciplines led her to adopt a strategy-based approach to design, focused on solving tangible problems and achieving real goals based on how people think.

Should I Hire a Web Designer?

According to Michelle Schulp, there are 4 important things to consider if you’re asking, “Should I hire a web designer?”:

1. Customization

How custom does your website need to be? Do you have very specific needs or brand requirements? Can you find a theme or plugin that can provide the functionality you need out of the box?

2. Complexity

Are there complicated integrations you need for your site? Does your site need to meet complex requirements for security or traffic?

3. Knowledge

There’s a saying that goes: “You don’t know what you don’t know.” If you don’t even know where to look for a website solution or if you’re looking for recommendations, you should consider hiring a professional.

4. Mission-Critical

Is the website “mission-critical” to your business? Does the launch timing, performance or functionality of the website impact your revenue or business success? If so, this may be a situation where it is better to hire a web professional.

Watch the Webinar: When to DIY Design and When to Hire

In this webinar, Michelle further unpacks what you need to know if you’re considering hiring a web designer or developer.