If you have been thinking about putting a website up or want to enlist some help in making your existing site the things dreams are made of, it’s hard to know who to turn to. Not just in terms of finding someone that is professional, communicative + the right match, but also understanding what roles + responsibilities they have in the project.
While every single project + professional are different, I wanted to walk you through some of the more standard scenarios to make the process less overwhelming.
Web designer
Likely responsible for… the look
When hiring a web designer, it’s important to seek out someone that has worked with web {sometimes referred to as digital or interactive} projects before. A print or more traditional graphic designer without experience on what is required for a site with moving pieces {like links} isn’t going to provide you with the best results for your business.
The likely role of your web designer is the look + feel of your site {which sometimes includes your logo, your social network profiles, your email marketing + your digital products, but not necessarily any or all of those items.}
Sometimes your designer will act as the project manager for the entire length of the project, other times you might be responsible for that role.
Web developer
Likely responsible for… the functions
There are tons of variations on the title of web developer, but I’m essentially talking about the person that will take your site design + use code {HTML, CSS, PHP, jQuery, etc} to actually make the site function. If you are using a content management system {CMS} like WordPress, it’s important to find someone that is familiar with that particular system so that they can not only build your site the best way possible, they can also answer any questions you might have about it.
Sometimes your web designer + developer are the same person. Sometimes they aren’t. For example, I take on a handful of projects each year where I do both the full site design + then code everything for the client. But more of my projects are where I have paired up with a designer to code their final designs for them so that they aren’t limited by what they don’t know.
The likely role of your web developer is taking the PSD or AI files that your designer creates + turning them into a functioning website through code, CMS + content. They might add in all of your site content {images, text, links, posts, etc}, set up your various systems {email marketing, social networks, scheduling, email, servers/hosting} or they might only do a select few of those things.
Copywriter
Likely responsible for… the words
A copywriter is responsible for writing copy for your brand/business/site, depending on what you hire them for. I will say that hiring a copywriter was one of the smartest decisions i made for my business – and trust me when I say, I was skeptical at first.
Depending on your copywriter + budget, they can help with specific ares of copy, your entire website copy, blog posts, newsletters, ebooks, social posts + opt-ins. Again, these things are decided upon when you first hire them, so make sure you understand what you are paying for.
Photographer
Likely responsible for… the images
To some, it may sound obvious that the photographer is responsible for the images on the website. But the reality is, that not every project has a photographer and not every image will be taken by the photographer if one is picked.
If you are going to use images of yourself on your site, it is certainly worth hiring a photographer to capture you in the best possible way. But are those the only images you are using on your site? If not, your web designer might help make some stock image selections for you based on your project needs.
It’s also important to determine how much work your photographer does after your photoshoot. For example, will they edit the images + provide them in the right format for both web + print? Or will your web designer take the images + add text to them for your header/sidebar graphics?
Virtual assistant {VA}
Likely responsible for… the content
For the majority of projects I work on, an assistant {usually virtual} is brought on board for at least a portion of the tasks. Sometimes it is to mediate between the various team members + the client, other times it is to add the website content, and in some cases, the assistant does some site testing before it is launched.
Whether you have an assistant, or your designer +/or developer’s assistant is brought into the loop, they will likely help with content + details. A more technical VA might set up your digital products or email autoresponders. A marketing VA would likely help edit/write copy or connect social media platforms with your site.
When assembling your dream team of website creators, it is vital that each person understand their roles + responsibilities before getting started.
Whether that is discussed in the initial consult or laid out in detail in each agreement signed, making sure there are clear definitions or lists of what is expected will make your project go smoothly.