Choosing the Right Web Designer

The History Museum of Burke County in Morganton, NC

The History Museum of Burke County in Morganton, NC

Choosing the right web designer is probably more art than hard science.

Yes, there are a few criteria you should consider. One of them is undoubtedly at the top of your list: can the web designer turn your expectations into a reality? Agreeing on the scope in writing and checking references are just a few precautions you can take to avoid unpleasant surprises later.

Whether you are hiring a general contractor to finish your basement, retaining a financial adviser to manage your portfolio, or picking an event manager for a corporate function, there is always the worry that you have missed something. Will they pay attention to the details you outlined, or will they just calm you down and tell you what you want to hear? Unfortunately, in most cases, you only know afterward whether your trust in them was earned.

Throughout my career, I have been in several situations where my trust has not been returned, and I felt disappointed. Fortunately, there have been many occasions when everything worked well.

What was the difference?

Mutual empathy.

Albert Einstein once famously said: "Empathy is patiently and sincerely seeing the world through the other person's eyes. It is not learned in school; it is cultivated over a lifetime."

Empathy means sincerity, taking the time to listen and understand.

Empathy goes hand in hand with a deep respect for you, the customer, and your business.

The next time you choose a web designer, you may want to find out if they are really making an effort to understand your goals, ideas, and concerns, or if your project is just another job for them.