How to Hire a Graphic Designer
Most people will benefit greatly from hiring a professional to make graphics for their web site, but finding someone who is right for the job may not be easy. In hiring a designer, look for someone who has experience creating graphics for the web, who has a style that appeals to your tastes, who can provide all the services you need, and who is in your price range.
Creating graphics for the web is different than making plain logos or business cards or brochures. Having an eye for what kind of graphics look good on a web page is something learned with experience, and a good designer needs to know how to optimize a graphic for quick loading. If they can't make you a banner graphic for your store in gif format at 15-25k in size, then look for someone else.
Look through the prospective designer's portfolio. They should have a web site with web graphics that they've done for other companies. If you like what you see, then chances are they can do something you will like. You need to give them some leeway and let them have some creative input, but make sure you get something you like. Be sure you are specific in your criteria.
You may also want letterhead and a black and white logo, or business cards. If that's the case, be sure to find a designer who can provide everything you need. You may even be able to find one that can do HTML and host your web site, but that shouldn't be necessary.
Design services can range in price from $25 per hour to $50-100 flat fee for creating a logo, to hourly fees in the hundreds. Shop around and find someone who can do what you need but is in your price range.
