Gone are the days when you had to walk into a physical office to get a service. Technology allows professionals to work as freelancers including web designers in Nairobi. The same technology has opened the door for unqualified web designers to join the industry.
You will come across many designers that promise what they cannot deliver. If you do not do your background check well, you are likely to end up in the wrong hands. The individuals may ever have some papers to show but still lack the skill.
How do you know that you are talking to the right person? Can you read past the marketing gimmicks and identify flaws? Well, let us make it easy for you. Look for the following red flags when interacting with a new web designer.
1. The designers do not have a website
Run from any designers who make too much noise about their skills but have no website. The least they can do as they look for clients is to design a website for their business. If all you see is social media buzz, messages, and calls, you are talking to the wrong people. Insist on seeing a running website and then check the next sign.
2. They have a shoddy website
Let us say they pass the first test. They have a running website. Go a step further and analyze the quality of their website. Run if you find a poorly designed website. Otherwise, you will end up with the same if you hire such designers
3. No portfolio or testimonials
It is okay to hire new web designers in Nairobi. However, the decision comes with very high risks. A portfolio shows that the designers have already applied their skills to real projects. If the designers have been around for a while, there is a reason why no clients trust them with a project.
4. Poor customer service
How does the designer address you and your questions? Do you feel safe and comfortable when talking to them? If you must wait for days for a reply or get a bad attitude, you are better off with another designer. Excellent customer service is critical in every profession.
5. The designers lack an online presence
Here is another telltale sign that you have landed in the wrong lane. You have a name but no online presence. You cannot find the designers on any social media platform. If such accounts exist, they are rarely updated and the information given is scanty.
6. They want to complete your project fast
Time is a critical factor but does take the place of quality. Be worried if find website designers in Kenya who want to rush through the process. The designers will promise to complete your website within days even without considering your unique specifications.
7. Very aggressive with pricing
Have you ever come across an advert for the cheapest or most affordable web design services? Well, there is no problem in offering affordable prices to attract customers. The problem comes when the designer insists on cheap services instead of quality service. If you hear the term “we are the cheapest” repeatedly, acknowledge the red flag and move on.
8. Ask few or no questions about your website or business
You are looking for a new channel to market your business or brand. Your website gives your audience the first impression of your brand alongside your social media accounts. Then you come across a designer who cares little about your business or brand. The goal for such designers is to complete a project for the paycheck. Do what is right for your business; look elsewhere!
9. Big on plugins
Plugins add to the features on your website that make it easier to manage content and monitor performance. However, if all the designers talk about is the plugins to add, you are in trouble. Some designers have mastered different plugins but cannot design a good website from scratch. You can add plugins without a designer. Look for skills and not design tricks.
10. Ignores your conversion goals
You are in business to make money. A website should contribute towards that goal. The right web designers in Nairobi will focus more on building your business than on developing a website. Hence, the chosen features will be based on your conversion goals. Do not trust anyone who ignores the business side of your website no matter how skilled they sound.
11. Lacks knowledge of SEO
You cannot mention web design today without mentioning Search Engine Optimization (SEO). A web designer may not be an expert in it but should have the basic principles in place. Check if their website is well-optimised. The ranking on search engines including the domain authority can help you judge the designers’ knowledge of SEO.
12. No architectural strategy
Talk is cheap. If all you get are promises but no solid strategy, you are free to explore other options. A good designer will give you an architectural strategy that suits the kind of website you need. With such a plan, you can compare the results after the development process to determine if they deliver what they promised.
13. Your gut says no
Have you ever had a chat that felt wrong? If your gut tells you to run, then run. Sometimes negotiating a deal feels wrong even when you do not have the facts. The designers answer your questions but you still feel like you are making a mistake. Do not ignore that feeling. If it feels like there is a loose end or missing link somewhere, try another design company.
Final remarks
Hiring web designers in Nairobi is only an easy journey if you know what to look for in the process. The secret is to have as many chats as possible, whether physical or virtual, before hiring. The field has many competent freelance designers. However, you will also come across individuals or companies with huge promises but no skills. Beware of subcontractors and check for the telltale signs shared in this article.
