How to hire a web designer for your agency

Compelling web design is a must in digital marketing. It elevates the visual appeal of a website, enhances user experience, helps convey brand messages, and plays a key role in generating conversions. But finding the right web designer for your agency can take time, often stalling momentum and delaying projects. At White Label Agency, we recognize this challenge, having worked with over 600 digital marketing agencies on over 10,000 web design projects. Taking on board a new designer to your in-house design team can be daunting, both in terms of getting the right fit in skills and style, and in terms of the business commitment it involves. Yet it’s often preferable to freelancing, which opens your agency to risks in quality and timeliness. Let us draw from our experience to provide you with insights on how to hire a web designer that will suit your agency and help it stand out from the crowd.

There’s a lot to consider when hiring a web designer.

Qualities to look for in a web designer

When seeking the perfect web designer for your agency, it’s essential to consider a set of qualities and skills that will make a real difference in your projects. Here are the key attributes to focus on:

• Creativity and Artistic Flair: A web designer should have a knack for creative thinking, turning concepts into visually appealing designs.
• Proficiency in Web Design Tools (e.g., Photoshop, Sketch, etc.): Familiarity with industry-standard design software is crucial for effective web design work.
• Strong Knowledge of HTML, CSS, and JavaScript: Understanding the technical aspects of web development helps bridge the gap between design and functionality.
• Responsive and Mobile-First Design Expertise: In today’s mobile-centric world, the ability to create designs that adapt seamlessly across various devices is vital.
• Attention to Detail and Pixel-Perfect Design: Precision matters in web design, as even small discrepancies can affect user experience.
• UX/UI Design Skills: Ensuring an intuitive and user-friendly interface is at the heart of web design.
• Strong Portfolio Showcasing Relevant Work: Past projects and the ability to showcase them effectively provide a tangible demonstration of a designer’s capabilities.
• Effective Communication and Collaboration Skills: Collaboration is key in an agency setting, so a designer must be able to communicate ideas clearly and work well with others.

In an agency setting with project work, each of the qualities above is essential.

Qualities to look for – How to hire a web designer for your agency

Before you hire a web designer, it’s crucial to determine the scope of the job you want them to tackle. Different projects and goals require distinct levels of expertise and experience. Let’s break it down into five levels: Junior, Junior+, Middle, Middle+, and Senior designers, each with its own set of skills and capabilities. Understanding these levels will help you match the right designer to your agency’s specific needs and ensure the successful execution of your web design projects. Now, based on the expertise of WLA, let’s explore each level in detail to help you make the best decision for your agency.

• Junior: Entry-level designers with good English skills and basic design experience. They can create interior page designs using tools like XD.
• Junior+: These designers have the ability to create both front and interior pages that partners find satisfactory. They require minimal guidance and possess good English skills.
• Middle: Mid-level designers with substantial web design experience. They are proficient in vector graphics and have knowledge of design software like Photoshop, XD, Illustrator, and Acrobat. They are also aware of modern design trends and guidelines.
• Middle+: Building on the middle-level experience, these designers offer greater efficiency. They can create diverse designs and comprehend advanced branding guidelines directly from partners. They may also assist in educating team members.
• Senior: these designers possess advanced skills and can handle designs of any complexity. They create UI/UX briefs, work across platforms, prototype interfaces, and have expertise in color palettes, balance, typography, and various design software, including Sketch, Zeplin, InVision, Photoshop, XD, and Illustrator.

The hiring process and where to find web designers

To gain insight into the hiring process of a web designer, I interviewed Anano, one of our HR managers at White Label Agency. She notes:
“The design talent game has seriously changed in recent years. It’s not like the old days when we had to stick to the boring, traditional ways. Nowadays, in this digital era, we’ve got a bunch of cool tools and platforms at our fingertips to hunt down some seriously awesome designers.
I still remember the time we stumbled upon one of our top-notch designers in a tiny Facebook group. It only took us five days to get her on board, and we’ve been rocking together ever since. Over at WLA, we’re all about thinking outside the box. We’re constantly spotting design pros through less ordinary channels like social media. It’s a whole new ballgame in the design industry, and we’re loving it.”

When you have decided to hire a web designer with expertise in WordPress, you have a multitude of options at your disposal. Facebook and its thematic groups, for instance, offer a promising avenue for your search. Utilizing targeted keywords like “WordPress designers (Country)” or “Web designers (Country)” can unveil a treasure trove of potential candidates. Don’t hesitate to experiment with different keyword combinations to expand your quest creatively.

LinkedIn is another valuable platform, boasting an extensive network of professionals, including adept WordPress designers. Harnessing the reach of LinkedIn’s vast user base, you can establish connections with skilled individuals possessing the specific design skills you’re looking for.

Hire your new web designer today

Don’t let your agency be held back by delays in adding a new web designer. By looking out for the right skills, attitude and experience when you hire a web designer, the process will become less daunting. Don’t hesitate to try innovative recruitment methods, like exploring social media and thematic communities, to help you uncover a pool of talented designers.

If designer procurement and retention are limiting the growth and success of your agency, don’t hesitate to contact us at WLA. We offer outsourcing for digital agencies in web development and design, providing a wide range of services, including one-off development or design projects, dedicated developer and designer hire, website maintenance, and more. Our focus is on establishing long-lasting relationships with our clients to help them grow. Over the past ten years, we’ve worked with over 600 agencies and produced over 10,000 websites. We’d be delighted to add your agency to our growing list of success stories.