Web designers are like marketers—there’s no shortage of them 😃 Many businesses believe that finding one is as easy as a quick Google search, and while that’s partly true, not all web designers are created equal.
What sets great designers apart is they are aligned with your business strategy and vision. These web designers can design a compelling story and guide customers seamlessly through the decision-making process with design.
Now that you have a glimpse of what web designers should be doing, let’s dive into the five major red flags to watch out for:
1. Your Web Designer is Just a ‘Doer’
It’s great when a designer follows instructions, but if that’s all they do, it’s a big long-term problem. You want a web designer who not only executes your vision but also challenges and elevates it.
For example, if you ask for layout change and they simply do it without asking why, that’s a red flag. Perhaps you have some data to back up this decision or your web designer has the research to block your request, a great web designer brings strategic thinking to the table. They should be well-versed in user experience (UX) best practices, design psychology, and usability principles to create a website that’s both visually appealing and functionally effective.
🚨 Red Flag: Your designer does exactly what you ask without clarifying, suggesting improvements, or working through design choices.
✅ What to Look For: A designer who takes a strategic approach, offering insights and alternatives based on user behavior, design theory, and industry best practices.
2. Your Web Designer Repeats the Same Approach Every Time
A designer who relies on the same design templates, layouts, and styles for every project isn’t evolving. While consistency is great for branding, an unwillingness to adapt, experiment, and innovate can lead to a website and brand that feels dated within a few years.
Think about how many businesses still have websites that look like they were built in the early 2000s: clunky navigation, tiny text, and non-responsive designs. If your designer isn’t learning modern, user-friendly interfaces, your website could be irrelevant before you know it.
🚨 Red Flag: Your designer avoids risks, sticks to outdated methods, or isn’t keeping up with design trends and user expectations.
✅ What to Look For: A designer who balances tried-and-true strategies with fresh, innovative ideas tailored to your brand and audience.
3. Your Web Designer Doesn’t “Get” It
A great web designer should be on your wavelength. They should understand your brand’s style, values, and goals without excessive back-and-forth. If you find yourself constantly feeling something is off with their design work, it’s a major warning sign.
While it’s normal to provide feedback and guidance, your designer should take the lead in interpreting your vision and turning it into a well-crafted, high-performing design. If they seem lost, hesitant, or completely misaligned with your expectations, the collaboration will be frustrating and inefficient, and will end badly.
🚨 Red Flag: You have to micromanage your designer, and they struggle to capture your brand’s essence.
✅ What to Look For: A designer who listens and can quickly pickup and represent your brand.
4. Your Web Designer Remains Silent When They Should Speak Up
If your designer isn’t offering feedback, sharing ideas, or questioning design choices, you may be making the wrong design choices. This lack of communication can result in missed opportunities for innovation and a website that doesn’t perform as well as it could.
Great web designers take a consultative approach, meaning they listen carefully but also proactively suggest improvements. They won’t just nod along, they’ll push back when needed, explain why a certain design choice matters, and ensure the final product is the best it can be.
🚨 Red Flag: Your designer doesn’t challenge ideas, offers suggestions, or contributes creative insights.
✅ What to Look For: A designer who collaborates, provides constructive feedback, and isn’t afraid to suggest better alternatives based on their expertise.
5. Your Web Designer Prevents Progress Instead of Enhancing It
This one is ironic – web designers are supposed to improve your website, not hold it back. However, some designers unintentionally slow things down due to poor planning, outdated tools, or inefficient work.
Here’s how this red flag might show up:
- Using the wrong tools: For example, designing a full website in Adobe Illustrator instead of a web-friendly tool, like Figma or Adobe XD, makes the process unnecessarily complex.
- Over-reliance on outdated methods: They resist adapting to new technologies or workflows that could make everyone’s lives easier.
- Lack of attention to detail: If you’re constantly catching the same mistakes and repeating yourself, it’s a sign that may not be the right fight. They need to understand that your time is valuable so they shouldn’t waste it.
- Not making your project a priority: If your designer is consistently unresponsive, misses deadlines, or juggles too many projects, your website may not get the quality and attention that it deserves.
🚨 Red Flag: Your designer creates unnecessary delays, refuses to adopt better methods, or doesn’t prioritize your project.
✅ What to Look For: A designer who embraces efficient workflows, pays attention to detail, and prioritizes delivering high-quality work on time.
The Bottom Line: Don’t Settle for a Mediocre or Sub-Par Web Designer
Your website is one of your most valuable business assets. It should work for you—not against you. If your web designer shows any of these five red flags, it’s time to rethink your partnership. Again, a great web designer doesn’t just execute tasks; they are a strategic partner who should enhance your brand, optimize user experience, and drive meaningful website results.
Connect with Uplancer today for a web designer who gets you and can support your business strategy through web design. If you’re ready to replace your mediocre web designer, read about the correct way to do so here.
