How to Let People Bid on Your Web Design Project

The right designer can bring your brand to life.

A powerful website can be a powerful marketing tool: it acts as a hub for communication, information and engagement. When you are looking for a Web designer, finding a cheap option online can result in a sub-par result. By creating a request for proposals and targeting design firms that suit your individual needs, you will increase your chances of finding a qualified designer that fits within your budget.

Instructions

1. Write a creative brief to explain the website you need. Include enough information to give potential designers an idea of the scope of the site: a description of your company, what you are looking for in a website and why you need a new site design. Include details about the design style you want to achieve. The more information you can provide about the work involved, the more accurate estimates you will receive; if the scope is too limited, you may end up stalled or paying more than the original estimate.

2. List technical requirements and practical constraints for the website. Talk about interactive elements, unusual navigation or any requirements outside of traditional Web design. Let designers know if they will need to work with software engineers, animators or back-end coders in order to achieve special features. Include a note about how designers will be involved in the usability testing process before the website launches.

3. Format the creative brief and the technical requirements into a request for proposals (RFP) document. Set a deadline for proposal submissions, mention a budget range, list the timeframe for project completion and include a contact number or email address for questions. If the project requires special expertise, request that proposals include a list of qualifications or links to similar websites.

4. Look through the websites of your business associates, friends and local businesses to find strong design examples. Call the businesses you like and ask for recommendations; during the call, ask about the experience of working with the designer and listen for red flags. Look through the designers' online portfolios and choose the top five in terms of design style, expertise with similar businesses, HTML coding abilities and experience with trends.

5. Send the RFP by email to your list of recommended design firms. If the website will require a great deal of in-person communication and collaboration or if the designer will need to visit your facilities in order to create a similar look and feel, start with local Web designers. In the email, include the name of the person who referred you to create a connection.

References

• Sage Media Design: How to Write a Web Design Request for Proposal (RFP)
• Outspoken Media: How To Find The Web Designer That Will Bring Your Brand To Life