Are you on the hunt for a professional designer to craft your business website and/or your brand identity? Choosing a designer is an exciting experience, but I also know it can be overwhelming.

So, first off, congratulations! Starting a business is feat in itself, and looking for a designer to help you with your website and branding means already shows that you want to set your vision up for success.

*round of applause*

That said, I’d bet you’ve already seen how hard it can be to find a designer that you really resonate and connect with. There are many talented designers all over social media and the interwebs, and it can be a  tricky thing to make sure you’re finding the right one that it’s in alignment with you, your business, and your overall goals.

The answer? Make sure you have a genuine understanding of what to look for when you’re choosing your designer — and I’ve got you covered. 

So… Where Do I Even Start When Choosing a Designer?

The internet is great (well, most of the time), and part of the reason is that it makes finding people wildly easy. The not-so-great part about it? It can be overwhelming to dig through them all. 

My favorite method? Instagram. You can search keywords  like graphic designer, branding studio, or web designer and find some quality options instantaneously. As you browse through each account, take note of the designers that specialize in a similar style to other brands and businesses that you really admire. Pinterest is also a big value for scoping designers out as well, via finding work you already know that you love.

However, if social isn’t your thing, that’s okay! Ask around in your network and search keywords on Google that fit your needs (like creative branding studio or web designer for small businesses), and see what you come up with. You’ll be amazed at what you can find. 

4 Things to Look For When Choosing a Designer

Once you’ve found a few designers that you feel like you could really connect with, it’s time to narrow down your choices — and there are a few things I recommend as part of the process. From pricing all the way to style all the way to examples, you’ll want to make sure you make the best decision possible or your business — and the right designer will want to make sure of this, too. 

Here are 4 things to keep in mind. The goal? To find a designer who…

…supports your goals and business.

Branding and web design is a big, collaborative process — and that means that you need to find a designer who aligns with your goals as a business and can support those goals through the work that they’ll be doing for you. How will you know? Good designers are strategy-driven. If a potential designer doesn’t mention things like “brand strategy” or asks you what your “brand goals” or “website goals” are in your conversation with them, it might be worth exploring other options. Making sure that you choose a designer who can align with you and can produce design work that helps you grow your business is absolutely essential.

…can work in a similar style to what you want.

When you’re looking for someone to help design your brand and your website, you’re going to want that someone to work in a style that you love. There are millions of brand and web designers around, but some of them aren’t going to follow the style that you want — and that means that they’re probably not the right fit. And that’s okay! For example, if you want a really bold, colorful feel, working with a designer who specializes in softness and dainty line work might not be the best choice. Trust your intuition — it’ll nearly always be right — and look for specific examples that reflect exactly what you’re looking for.

…has great feedback + testimonials.

Choosing a designer is a big, big deal — and you want to make sure you choose someone who has a roster of clients that are excited and fired up about the design *they* had done. Keep an eye open for testimonials, for feedback, and for reviews from clients via the designer’s website or social media. Research matters, and it can make all the difference between a wonderful experience and a lackluster one.

…charges something sustainable for you.

Brand and web design is often a big investment in your business, and for good reason. When you work with an excellent designer, they often charge for their experience and their expertise — and it shows. However, be sure that you’re making a sustainable business decision for you. While we never, ever recommend looking for the cheapest option — you usually get what you pay for — there’s also no need to bankrupt your business over it. If there is a designer that you really want to work with whose custom services are too expensive for your needs at the moment, see if there are other ways you can work with them to accomplish the same goals (i.e. Design Day intensives, coaching or consulting, course that teaches their methods, etc.).

Here’s the thing: choosing a designer is a big deal, but it’s also a really exciting one. Brand and web design that’s done well can completely and totally change the trajectory of your business, and choosing the right designer is the best way to get there. 

At Uno Dos Trae, our mission is to help create top-notch brand strategy and design for purpose-driven entrepreneurs, and we’d love to chat. Inquire with us today.