Best place to find webdesigner?

[Sarah24]

Hi Everyone

It's been a while since I lasted posted on here.
I've recently come up with (what I think) is a really good idea for a website and was wondering where the best place is to find a webdesigner? A lot of the basic stuff I could do myself but would really prefer to get someone on board to do it properly first time round.
Any suggestions?
I'd be happy to either let them come on board for the experience or being part of the site indefinitely or to pay someone to do it (not too much though)!

Many Thanks

Sarah

[monaghan]

There are various levels of web design ranging from the arty graphic design level through to the database design at the back end of your site (and all the layers in between). I think you need to work out a rough idea of what you want then look at building the desired "team" (this team may be a single person doing all the layers or multiple people each with their own speciality)

Letting someone on board for the experience is quite hit and miss, if they are good, then you'll land on your feet, if they are all mouth and no trousers then they may well seriously impact the project, if they are a cowboy they may even "liberate" your idea and do their own site using it.

[bumfluff]

Recommendations from people you know are probably the best way to start your search. If you have a few of them, you can take a look at the designer's portfolio to help you decide.

Without recommendations, it can be a little difficult to pick someone professional. From your post, it sounds like you don't need anything too involved, so a freelancer would probably be fine (rather than an agency or larger company). They're easy enough to find online (just search for "uk freelance designer" or similar).. just go by the portfolio first, then you could maybe contact some of the clients and enquire about how the experience of working with that designer was for them.

"I'd be happy to either let them come on board for the experience or being part of the site indefinitely or to pay someone to do it (not too much though)!"

That bit actually waves some red flags for me... I don't agree that newcomers should work for free to get experience. If they're capable of doing the job, they should be paid accordingly. Equal pay for equal work and all that. Their experience isn't really relevant, the quality of the end result is what's important. Experience is only a guide to what that end result will be, but it's not important in itself.

[DavidToohey]

I must say I agree with the others... there is no single place that is the "best place to find a webdesigner".

We do provide such services, though we are certainly not suited to everyone and always ask what you are looking for before we actually offer any of our services.

It also raises a red flag for me when you mention "for experience" as this really says "your pay is the joy of doing it".

What is it you're needing designed/developed? Is it heavier on the database and functionality side, or are you looking more for the flashy impressive looking website?

[Sarah24]

Thanks to everyone for their reply. I must say I wasn't meaning for the person to not get paid. But view it as being more of a 'business partner' idea than anything else.
It would be a more database, functionality with the design bit not being that important.
I shall do a search like suggested and see where that takes me.

Thanks again.

[monaghan]

Make sure that the person you get actually understands databases rather than is just capable of writing a simple SQL query. Efficient use of a database will make your site fly, inefficient will require a dedicated server just to keep up once the data volumes and / or number of visitors grow.

[Sarah24]

Thanks for the tip. Much appreciated.

[A4D]

Hi Sarah

did you ever find a solution to your project?

Cheers

A4D