Website Design is More Than Pixels
I think people are far too quick to write off a web designer as “good” just because he can whip up some nice graphics. A website is a lot more than pixels, and that seems to be the first thing forgotten by people looking for a new site. (And forgotten by many that actually design the sites!)
A website is many things: A salesman, a user interface, an application. Does the site reflect your brand? Most web designers are able to churn out a pretty interface, but is it functional? Is it compatible with your audiences’ browser? Does it have a small enough footprint that a visitor will wait for it to complete loading? Does it drive the visitor to whatever is being sold? When they get to the product, does it effectively and efficiently sell the product? In our business, the sale of the product is done at the download level, not the monetary level — a sale is won or lost before the visitor ever installs it. No download means no sale. Period.
In addition, what is the long-term accessibility of the site? Does it offer user tracking? Download tracking? How easy is it to modify once you’ve got it? Do you need to modify a graphic every time you add a new section? Do you even have that graphic? Is the website designer willing to write copy for you in the future when you need it? How much would it cost? Did he write engaging copy the first time around? If not, why not?
Of course, not everyone is looking for all this, but unless you plan to take up the slack for whichever is missing, then you will need someone else to do it for you. If you think you can write your own copy, then by all means, get a template or hire a $200 designer. But just don’t forget that a website is more than pixels.
Do graphics make the game? Why would you think they made a website?