How to Find a Website Designer for Therapists Who Checks All the Boxes
Finding a website design that checks all of your boxes can feel a bit daunting. Maybe you've scrolled Google, trying to figure out who will be the best fit for you, but you just aren't sure where to start.
Just as it's important for therapy clients to do their research and weigh their options when choosing a therapist, you also need to take the time to do your research and consider all of your options before choosing a website designer.
Before you start your search for a website designer, you should have a clear idea of what you're looking for
Consider the basics:
What is the purpose of your website? Do you want to simply market and attract your ideal clients? Do you need a blog? Do you need an online shop?
What style of design do you prefer?
Write down a list of “must-haves” or make or break traits. For example, is staying on the timeline important to you? Or, maybe you really want a designer who can guide you through decision making. Make a short list of qualities you’re looking for, you can always add more later!
Starting with these questions & list will help you get a clearer picture of who you're looking for and get you one step closer to finding a designer who can meet your needs.
1. Style
Every website designer has a different way of designing and creating their websites. When searching for your best fit designer, review past website designs from their portfolio.
A portfolio is a collection of the designer's previous work and will give you an idea of their style and the types of projects they have worked on. A designer's portfolio can give you some insight into their level of skill, their understanding of your industry, and so much more.
2. Experience
While not a make or break, factoring in a designers experience is an important piece of the puzzle. A designer with a lot of experience is likely to have a better understanding of what works and what doesn't when it comes to website design. They'll also have a proven track record of delivering high-quality work.
On the other hand, a designer with less experience may offer lower prices, but they may not have the same level of expertise. It's important to find a balance between experience and cost that works for you.
3. Industry Knowledge
An understanding of the industry you operate in is another important factor to consider when choosing a website designer. As a therapist, there are unique challenges you encounter, for example, the code of ethics you abide by, the balance between jargon & layperson's terms, and website strategy for your practice's specific niche.
Although a website designer without industry knowledge could create a great website for you, they may not have a nuanced understanding of your specific needs and challenges.
4. Cost
Investing in your practice, whether that's with your time, energy, or money, is always valuable. But, not every investment will be right for you right now. As you're weighing whether or not this is a good fit for you at this point in your career, consider both your budget and the value of the project.
How much money can you comfortably invest right now in your website?
How important is this website to the success of your practice right now?
A Custom Website is a great fit for someone who can comfortably invest $5000+ into their website and the importance of having a strategically built website is high. If this sounds like you, you can learn more about our custom design projects here.
Alternatively, a Done in a Day or template redesign may be a great option for you right now because it's lower cost than a custom design but can still be designed uniquely for your practice. Learn more about our Done in a Day option here.
Another great option is using a pre-designed website template and tweaking it to fit your practice. This is a great low cost option that can meet you where you are right now. Check out our templates designed specifically for therapists, healers, and helpers here.
5. Personality
Compatibility can make or break a design project. The keys to a successful website design are communication and honesty. You need to feel comfortable sharing what you're needing and wanting in a website and how you feel about the design throughout the process. The goal is for you to have a website you love that also fills your practice.
It can be really hard to figure out whether a designer is the right fit just based on their website, so schedule a call with them! Most designers offer free consultations so that you can determine whether it's a good fit or not.
6. Timeframe & Timeline
Timeframe and timeline are both important factors to consider when choosing a website designer.
Timeframe refers to when a website designer can get you into their schedule. Ask yourself, is this timeframe compatible with my wants and needs in my business?
Timeline refers to how long the project itself will take. Ask yourself, does this timeline work for me? Is it too long or too short? Consider your workload, personal life, and energy level while answering these questions.
7. Testimonials
Testimonials from past clients can also be helpful when choosing a website designer. Testimonials, while typically sharing the best side of a designer by nature, can give you a better idea of the designer's work style and how they handle challenges that may come up during the design process.
For example, you can gain insight into how well the designer communicates, whether the project stayed on the track, how receptive they were to revisions, how supportive they were during the process, etc. Refer back to your list of “must-haves” and see whether the testimonials speak to any of the items on your list.
8. What’s Included
Finally, the design package, or what's included when you work with a designer, should fit your the needs of your practice. When reviewing the scope of the project, consider:
How many webpages are included in the package? Can you add additional pages for a fee?
How are revisions handled?
Is SEO included?
Is any brand collateral included? Like social media templates, email banner, etc.
Are there one-on-one meetings or strategy sessions?
Is branding included?
How is copywriting handled?
In conclusion, there are so many factors when when choosing a website designer, but at the end of the day it's important to find a designer that checks your boxes. Don't be afraid to ask questions and do your research to ensure that you find the right designer for your project.
Want to schedule a free consultation to see if we’re a good fit?
