15 Tips To Help You Choose A Freelance Web Designer

Choosing the right freelance web designer can be a difficult task. There are many factors that need to be considered. You may have a specific vision in mind, but you may not be able to find someone who can fulfill that vision. You may also not have a specific idea at all and just want to make sure you get the best deal for your money.

Whatever the case, there are several things that you should consider before choosing a freelance web designer. Here are some tips to help you make the right decision:

How to become a freelance web designer – YouTube

Key Takeaways
Freelance web design can be a lucrative and rewarding career choice.
Building a strong portfolio and establishing a personal brand can help attract clients.
Networking and word-of-mouth referrals are important for finding new clients.
Honing technical skills and staying up-to-date with industry trends is crucial for success.
Communication and time management are essential for delivering quality work and maintaining client relationships.
Setting clear expectations and contracts can help prevent misunderstandings and conflicts.

Table of Contents

1. How Much Experience Do They Have?

An experienced freelance web designer will have a portfolio of work that you can look at. You should ask the following questions to determine how long the freelancer has been working, and gauge their overall level of experience:

How long have you been a freelance web designer?
How many projects have you worked on so far?
Are there any examples of your work online? If not, is it possible to get screenshots or examples of your past projects?
How many projects do you have going on right now (or how many did you have when I contacted you)?
How many projects do you normally take on at one time? It’s important to know if they are typically working on a few small projects at once, or if they focus their energy primarily on one big project.

2. Assess Their Personality

By this point, you should have a list of candidates who meet your skill & experience requirements. Now let’s narrow that list down by looking at their personality. You need to be comfortable working with your freelancer, and they should be a good fit for your company.

Before making the final decision, I recommend doing a phone screen (over Skype) with each candidate on your shortlist. Here are some things you can look for during these interviews:

Do they ask good questions?
Do they seem interested in learning about your business?
Are they able to present ideas and articulate their thoughts clearly?

My favorite technique is using personality tests, like the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI), to help you make hiring decisions. This helps you identify if a potential freelancer would be a good fit for your organization or not. Take some time to think about what kind of personality traits would work best within your team and then use that as a filter as you screen prospective developers.

If you’re looking to improve your freelance web design career, take a look at our article on 22 expert tips to get insights and inspiration from successful professionals in the industry.

3. Ask Them About Their Goals As A Freelancer

It’s important to know what goals a freelancer has for their business. This is because, in the end, you are partnering with them to achieve your goals.

Asking about their short and long-term goals will help you gauge how committed they are to their business as a freelancer. If they’re not sure what their goals are, then it might be an indicator that they may not work hard enough to keep up with your requirements and expectations.

You should also inquire about how they plan on achieving these goals—what is their strategy? It’s always better to know if they have the right strategies in place than to work with someone who doesn’t have one at all.

4. Why Did They Become A Freelancer?

There are a few reasons why someone might choose to be a freelancer. Perhaps they enjoy the idea of setting their own hours, which can help them better balance their personal and professional lives. They may also like being able to work on a variety of different projects at once, as this can keep things interesting. And since they aren’t limited to working in an office, they’ll likely be happier not being stuck in one place all day long.

Freelancers can also get the chance to be their own boss. As long as they’re responsible enough (and don’t mind the lack of support staff or other people working alongside them), this could actually be an advantage over those who prefer something more structured. Plus many independent designers are just as professional about what they do – if not even more so – than full-time employees would be!

This is just scratching the surface though; there are many other pros and cons when it comes down to whether or not someone should hire you for your web design services instead of another company with its own set of employees who specialize in doing just that same type work alone (or even within larger agencies).

So before committing yourself too deeply to such decisions without making sure first that both parties have similar interests at heart before going any further into discussions surrounding specific needs/goals.

Starting a career in freelance web design can be daunting, but our guide on 19 rules can help you avoid common mistakes and set yourself up for success.

5. What Are Their Greatest Strengths And Weaknesses?

What is their greatest strength?
What is their greatest weakness?

The more they want to tell you about themselves, the better. Ask them both questions and listen carefully to what they say. A good freelancer will demonstrate a level of self-awareness that can only be gained through experience.

They should be able to articulate what they do well and where they could use improvement (and not just with a canned statement like “I need to work on my time management”). You can also see if there are any areas for advancement because it’s important for your freelancer to continue growing professionally over time.

6. What Are Their Ideal Clients?

You should also consider what kind of clients a web designer prefers to work with. Do they seem to be the right fit for your business, or for you as an individual? If you don’t feel like you’re totally on the same page with a designer, then it probably won’t be the best working relationship.

By now, it should be clear that web designers have different types of clients that they prefer to work with. Some may enjoy working with high-end businesses while others are happier creating websites for local artists. It all comes down to personal preference and knowing what kind of companies (or individuals) your prospective freelance designer is ideally suited for.

Are you curious about freelance web designer salaries and how to negotiate rates? Our comprehensive guide on freelance web designer salaries has answers to all your questions.

Take note: If you find yourself being turned away from one agency because their price range doesn’t match yours—don’t let this deter you! There are plenty more fish in the sea when it comes to finding someone who meets both your budget needs and creative vision needs!

7. Do They Have Any Ongoing Projects Right Now?

Ask the freelancer about their current workload, client base, and availability. This will help you understand their work style and expectations and whether they have time to dedicate to your project. If you are looking for a freelancer that can fully dedicate themselves to your project, you may want to avoid those who are juggling several clients or who have other commitments outside of design. You’ll also get an idea of their expertise based on the types of projects they tend to focus on most often.

Also, ask about any recent projects they found particularly interesting or challenging. This question will not only provide more insight into how they work but also tell you a bit more about their personality as well as what makes them tick creatively. Do they prefer coding? Or do they enjoy graphics and retouching? Are their preferences in line with yours?

You should also find out whether your prospective freelancer has experience working with particular products or if they have specialized knowledge in specific areas of digital design that could be crucial for successfully completing your project. For example, if you plan on developing a mobile application, it is ideal for the freelancer you hire to have similar experience from past projects.

8. How Do They Charge?

Freelance Web Designers (FWDs) may be a necessary evil for some businesses, but they have their pitfalls and drawbacks—especially when planning a massive project. Before you sign on with an FWD, make sure you do your homework to find out what sort of fees you can expect to pay for each stage of the project. You’ll also want to make sure that your time is worth charging, and that includes not sticking your head in the sand when it comes to estimating how long the project will take based on all the factors involved.

A designer who really loves what they do will work hard and fast while making notes throughout; a good designer will know exactly how much time they need to put in per hour, and at what point in the process you should be paying them more money. In most cases, it’s best if your designer only charges one lump sum upfront; this prevents overcharging as well as unnecessary delays in getting started on your website.

Hiring a web designer can be a tricky process, but our article on how to hire a web designer without getting ripped off provides tips and strategies to ensure a successful partnership.

9. Do They Have Any Sources Of Inspiration?

Ask about their sources of inspiration.

And don’t be afraid to ask for a list of specific sources. They could include books, blogs, magazines, websites, and even people. The more specific the better — it shows that they are genuinely passionate about what they do.

Good designers will also have a lot to say when it comes to their influences, so this is a great opportunity to see if they have strong opinions on design trends and practices.

10. Tell Me About The Biggest Mistake You Made, And How You Handled That Situation

Mistakes happen. It’s part of being human! Just be sure to ask your potential hire how they handle them.

For example, your web designer might make a mistake that is costly to fix, like building a website on the wrong platform or making something incompatible with certain browsers when it should have been compatible with all. If they can tell you how they fixed the situation and make sure it doesn’t happen again, it shows they are someone who takes responsibility for their work and wants to make things right if something goes wrong.

A good answer can also include what the web designer learned from the mistake, which means that if this issue comes up again in future projects (which is certainly possible), he or she will be ready for it.

11. Do You Have An Online Presence?

When evaluating a web designer, look for evidence of an active presence on the web. A high-quality website, and active social media accounts, can provide clues about their interest in the field and modern design trends. Do they have a blog that showcases their ideas? Are there client reviews that attest to the quality of their work?

12. How Do You Stay Motivated, Organized, And Productive Every Day?

But if you’re like most people, you’ve found that being productive and feeling motivated is only part of the story. You also want to feel organized, focused, and comfortable in your work environment. So how do you balance all of this?

On the bright side, when it comes to productivity, there are some tried-and-true ways to keep yourself on track. For instance: Reward yourself for things like starting a new project or finishing a previous one. Take some time out of your day at night just for checking your email. A reward system can encourage you to stay motivated and organized over time—and motivate others too! If a client doesn’t respond as quickly as they promised, stick in an extra hour every now and again to get them back on track.

There are many benefits to hiring a freelance web designer, from saving money to accessing specialized skills. Check out our article on why hiring a freelance web designer may help you to learn more about why this can be a smart choice for your business.

13. Freelancers Can Be As Professional As Full-Time Employees

Just because a web designer is not employed by a company full-time does not mean that he or she is any less professional. In fact, there are many advantages to working with freelancers in lieu of full-time employees. Here are some benefits of hiring freelancers:

Freelancers can offer more flexibility in their schedule and workload than full-time employees.
Freelancers have an incentive to keep projects on time and on a budget because they rely on referrals for business.
Freelancers often work with multiple clients and therefore possess more experience than someone who works at one company all day long.
Not having to support a family (paying for health care, etc.) makes freelancing an attractive option for many people, allowing them to work harder for less money.

14. Take A Look At Their Portfolio

The portfolio is a good place to start and should give you an idea of the quality of work they are capable of producing. The portfolio should be well-organized, easy to navigate, and up-to-date. Also, it should be relevant to the type of work that you need to be done. If you are looking for a web designer with experience in building eCommerce websites and want to look at their previous work, there’s no point looking at their portfolio if all they have built are single-page informational websites.

The other thing to look out for is how well-designed their portfolio is. It gives you an insight into how much attention they put into the details of their own website. Is it easy on the eye? Can you read and access everything easily? If not then this might reflect on your own website when it’s completed.

15. Establish Your Needs

Before you start searching around for freelance web designers, sit down and make a list of what you want from your new website. A well-thought-out plan will make it easier to find someone who can meet your needs and also make it easier for you to communicate what you want to the designer.

Final Thought

There are many web designer freelancers on the Internet. There are certain signs or indicators that can help you choose a qualified one from them. One of those indications is their past work. Make sure to go through their portfolio carefully, including the projects they have worked with and the results they have achieved to check whether they are good at what they do. It is also a very important factor to look at the other reviews and references they have gotten from other clients since this will give you an idea of what to expect in terms of their services.

It is a good idea if you can ask around and get some recommendations from your friends or colleagues who might have hired similar professionals in the past. The cost of hiring graphic designers will vary depending on various factors so make sure to compare different freelance web designers’ rates before you decide on one.

Frequently Asked Questions

What You Need To Know About Freelance Web Designers

Many companies hire freelance web designers to create their websites. They usually either pay them a flat one-time fee or an hourly rate, but either way, it’s much cheaper than hiring a full-time employee for the job. This can be beneficial because these designers are often more creative and innovative than someone who is just starting out in their career.

However, if you do decide to hire someone on a regular basis, it’s important that they have some experience with creating websites before they start working with you.

What You Should Expect From A Freelance Web Designer

A good freelance web designer will have experience designing websites, and they should be able to show you examples of their work so that you know what it will look like when it’s finished. Some designers may charge more money upfront but offer better quality designs later on down the line. This can be beneficial if you want something really unique or complicated in design as well as functionality because there is no need to pay

Does The Designer Give You References?

An experienced designer will have plenty of testimonials and positive reviews from past clients. If they don’t, it could be because they’re new to the game or don’t want to share their work history with potential customers. The best way to find out is by asking for references from current or past clients.

What Kind Of Experience Does The Designer Have?

Find out how long they’ve been in business and what kind of projects they’ve worked on in the past, including previous designs for similar websites or those with similar goals. You should also ask about their education and training so that your website can benefit from the latest technologies and trends.

How Can I Tell Whether A Freelance Web Designer Is Good?

The best way is to look at the portfolio of work that they’ve done for other clients. Web designers should be able to show you their own site (if they don’t already have one, that might be a red flag). They should also be able to show you sites they’ve designed as part of their portfolio. Look for websites that have similar styles and content types to yours, as well as sites whose designs you admire.

Herman Edward

I am a content writer, and I love what I do! Writing makes me feel like the words are flowing through my fingers, and then onto the keyboard, like magic. My experience as a writer has taught me that writing makes me feel good, as well as helps others to feel better too!