What does a typical web designer do?

layout illustration of what a typical web designer does.
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A web designer develops the layout and design for pages that construct a website. Being a web designer also entails creating new websites or updating ones that already exist. Thus, the knowledge and skills of web designers are diverse. So, what do web designers do?

A typical web designer will be responsible for understanding client requirements, developing design ideas, assessing the ideas, creating design standards and guidelines, creating development environments, adding functionality and features, testing site compatibility on different browsers, writing code, using design software like Photoshop and making sure the site is user-friendly and easy to navigate.

In this article, we will take a deeper look at the typical duties of a web designer and whether it is worth it to hire one.

layout illustration of what a typical web designer does.

Responsibilities Of A Web Designer 

Web designers are the creative minds behind the websites we all use. They work diligently to create aesthetically pleasing and functional websites that are easy to use and navigate. From logos to layouts, web designers have the creative and technical skills to produce digital services that stand out from the crowd. But what do web designers do exactly?

Understand Client Requirements And Goals

Web designers understand the customer’s needs and goals when conceptualizing, developing, and constructing a website or web page.

They communicate with customers and stakeholders to gain a comprehensive insight into their requirements before beginning the design process.

Develop Design Ideas

One of the main responsibilities of a web designer is to develop unique ideas for the business’s website design and staying consistent with their brand. This also involves researching the latest trends and technologies for a more modernized up to date look and feel. 

A designer’s mind is always creatively working, coming up with new ways to showcase information and visuals on a website. For example, they might come up with a creative way to layout the homepage, or create eye-catching visuals that help promote the company’s brand message.

Assess The Ideas

Once ideas have been developed, a web designer will assess the ideas to determine whether they are practical and feasible. 

They will consider the target audience, website purpose, and available resources. If necessary, they may suggest modifications to the ideas or even come up with new ones that could benefit the business.

different types of typography

Create Design Standards And Guidelines

After the design ideas have been assessed, the web designer will create standards and guidelines for the website. This might include website formatting and content requirements.

They strongly emphasize usability, color, layout, and typography to ensure an accessible and enjoyable user experience. By following established standards, you can create a consistent appearance that will continue to support your business’s image and help you stay top of mind.

image of a website sitemap structure

Create Sitemap Structure

Think of your website like a puzzle. The sitemap is the foundation of the puzzle and it lays out all of the pieces in advance so you can assemble them correctly. This will help you design the right layout for your website, as well as make sure that all of your content is easily accessible.

The sitemap displays the website’s hierarchy, from the top-level pages to the sub-pages. It is an essential tool for navigation and can help the user find what they’re looking for quickly. It also plays an important role in search engine optimization. Altough, we will not be covering that in this article.

Create Development Environment

The website development environment will allow the client to see how their website is progressing, as well as give them the opportunity to provide much needed feedback. A designer will take this into account and make necessary changes.

This is usually the part that takes the longest. As sometimes clients don’t provide necessary feedback in a timely manner and can stretch out the time it takes to fully build out the website.

So, if you’re looking to have your website completed in a timely manner or have a certain deadline you need to meet. It’s important to provide as much detailed feedback as possible to your web designer.

person on phone loking at ecommerce solutions

Add Functionality And Features

The designer adds functionality and features to the website, such as navigation bars, search functions, e-commerce capabilities, booking appointment integration etc. 

A web designer typically starts by setting up the necessary functionality before refining the website layout. This is because there can be a lot of complex integration and configuration if the required functionality is not already built in. This allows for a more efficient and streamlined design process from the start.

Imagine designing a website only to have unforeseen problems arise that could set back the overall launch. This could mean having to redesign certain aspects of the site, delaying its release entirely.

Finalizing the website design

The website designer will take the client on a tour of the finished product. Everything from layout to graphics to content will be subject to final review and necessary tweaks before going live.

Make User-Friendly, Attractive Sites

Once the website has been developed and tested, the designer will make sure it is user-friendly and attractive.

They will ensure that the website is optimized for mobile devices and that it is compatible with different browsers and operating systems.

Website Maintenance

Depending on whether you will be managing the website yourself post launch or hiring the agency to manage it for you, maintenance to the site is important to ensuring the long term success of your online presence. As well as keeping the safety of the site in order.

For instance, on a WordPress website you have a base theme and plugins that need to be kept up to date in order for everything to funciton properly. Plus without keeping the site up to date regularly can open up holes in the backend that hackers could get into and wreck havoc. It can be costly to remove any malicious code from the server and bring the website back to healthy working order. 

Why Is It Worth It To Hire A Web Designer?

Hiring a web designer can be a great investment for businesses of any size. A website designed and managed by professionals can bring a number of advantages. Here are some of the benefits of hiring a web designer:

A High-Quality Website

Hiring a web designer is worth it if you want to create a unique website that’s tailored to your business. Free web design templates are only basic, and you can’t expect to produce a professional-looking website using them. A qualified web designer has the skill and experience to design a website that is both dynamic and appealing to the user.

They will be well-trained in JavaScript, CSS, HTML, and themes or frameworks, ensuring your website is built to the highest standard. Investing in a web designer will save you time and energy while also ensuring that your website looks good and functions properly.

A Good Investment

When it comes to the long-term benefits, hiring a web designer is an excellent investment due to the additional advantages they bring. A professionally designed website is likely to stand out from amateur cookie cutter websites.

Having a trained eye to recognize a trend that is here to stay and not a passing fad is essential. Not all websites are built to last. An experienced designer can help you create a website that will still look modern in 3 to 5 years rather than one that will need to be redesigned.

It Saves Time

Hiring a web designer is worth it because it can save you time and effort. You won’t have to learn all the design elements, programming languages, accessibility standards, and Photoshop skills necessary to create an attractive and functional website.

Instead, a professional can do the work for you. They can also help you implement any creative ideas you may have for your website that would otherwise take days to puzzle out. In the long run, you will save time and energy by hiring a creative designer to get your website up and running.

professional website displayed on a imac

Look Professional

When you hire a web designer, you can be sure that your website will look professional and make a great first impression on visitors. A well-designed website helps to strengthen your brand and builds confidence in potential customers. Also, you won’t have to worry about the results when you create it yourself.

A professional website designer will ensure that your digital presence accurately reflects your company’s values. Investing in a good designer is a smart way to guarantee success and ensure your business stands out.

Some web designers have a understanding about search engine optimization that can help drive more traffic to your business. Here at Southtown Web Design, we’ve performed SEO for multiple clients that has helped grow their brand awareness, gain visibility and drive more traffic to their business. 

If you’d like to know more, check out our local seo services and how we can help establish your brand online.

Conclusion: What does a typical web designer do?

A web designer is in charge of how a website looks and feels. They use various tools to create a website that meets clients’ needs. This makes them a valuable part of the website development process. 

We hope the information above has helped you understand what a web designer does. And, if you are thinking of hiring a web designer, you should consider taking that next step. Contact us today for more information.

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