Revised with new information as of June 1, 2005
Finding and Choosing A Web Designer
Keep in mind a mistake that many organizations have made: handing all Web development -- from content creation to regular maintenance -- to a consultant or to only one staff member. This is an inefficient and costly way to handle your Web activities! ALL STAFF should have access to and input regarding your organization's World Wide Web site, to ensure it reflects the mission and the qualities of your organization and individual departments, and to ensure that you don't create a costly dependance on an outside consultant.
To keep your Web designer costs at a minimum, create a file on your computer for Web material, and put text-only versions of brochures, articles, newsletters, flyers, press releases, etc. produced by your organization, as well as text-only versions of your staff list, and any other information you might want on your Web site, in this folder (be sure to put each newsletter story or article in a separate document). This is the information you will give to your Web developer, so he or she doesn't spend time converting text for you.
Use your designer only to convert the information to Web language, design the graphics and page layout, and create the necessary scripting for things like a user response form. Someone in-house or a volunteer should be able to make regular changes to the site without needing assistance of the web designer; therefore, the designer should create pages that allow these changes to happen easily.
What to look for in a Web Designer
Someone who
- if he or she is a professional, provides you with references of satisfied clients
- provides you with examples of online work
- is committed to carrying over your printed publications "style" into the Web site design
- speaks in as non-technical terms as possible
- is committed to creating a site that someone in-house or a volunteer can make regular changes to without needing assistance of the designer
- is willing to work with staff and volunteers in the Web site development, listening to their wants and needs for the site
- turns over ownership of all graphics created for the site to you
- has a history of working with mission-based organizations, understanding such organization's limited resources, unique needs and community focus
- understands how to make a site accessible to people with disabilities
- understands When is a Web Upgrade Not Really an Upgrade
Also see Finding a Computer/Network Consultant for more tips.
How to Find a Web Designer
- Look at Web sites of mission-based groups and small businesses in your geographic area, particularly groups that are similar to you (any Web directory, such as google.com, can help you find such groups). Note which sites you like and why. Then call or e-mail those organizations and ask them who developed their site, and if this person is willing to contract or volunteer with your organization to do the same. Interview candidates and then choose who you feel most comfortable with (see this site for what to look for an interview tips.
- Contact your local Internet society, Web designers professional group, computer user group, professional associations for particular groups (such as women who work in technology -- in Austin, Texas, that group is called HerDomain). Again, a search of a Web directory can help you hook up with these groups. Call or e-mail these groups with a description of of the web design assignment, noting if you are looking for a contractor or volunteer.
- A terrific resource is Finding a Technical Assitance Volunteer and Using the Internet to Recruit Volunteers, both resources by the Virtual Volunteering Project. These two documents will help you find the perfect online volunteer -- maybe even someone right in your own community -- to help you.
- If your organization works in or for communities in the developing world, you can recruit an online volunteer to design your web site via the United Nations Online Volunteering Service.
- TechSoup has tips on how to find a designer. TechSoup is an initiative by CompuMentor designed especially to help mission-based organizations with computer and Internet issues.
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