Do You Need a Designer, Developer, Coach, or Consultant? (PDF Checklist)
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Short Answer: All of the above.
Because I “do WordPress” but call myself a WordPress coach and consultant, I clarify precisely what I do (and don’t do) in my FAQ and Code of Ethics.
I’ve always been transparent about my services because the lines are blurred between web professions, their names, and what each does. Everyone, myself included, decides what to specialize in and what to focus on. That’s why, unfortunately, what someone calls themselves may not provide the whole picture.
Designers, Developers, Coaches, and Consultants can all contribute to your website’s creation, maintenance, and growth. Depending on their experience and skill sets, each can play a different role or serve a different purpose in your program.
Now, on to the long answer.
Website Coach vs. Designer vs. Developer vs. Consultant
The combinations are probably endless. Professionals offer different levels of web design, development, functionality, and feature customization. For example, I offer varying levels of each skill set. (Except for programming. I pay pros for that.)
How do I know what I need?
The best approach is to create three lists: website creation, functionality, and support. Also, include what knowledge you want to gain to find the person or company(s) best for you, whether it is a designer, developer, consultant, or coach; experience matters — the more, the better — to help you.
When small businesses want a website, they naturally look for a “web designer.” Web designers do just that—they design how websites look and are laid out. Designers are interested in a website’s aesthetics, basic functionality, usability, and performance.
If a business needs something custom, it requires a developer. Developers create the custom code as necessary to meet client needs. They handle the under-the-hood technicalities (databases, hosting, application servers) and code specific functionality or features essential to your business requirements. Developers tend to develop complex websites and partner with designers, graphic artists, and programmers.
While I’ve lost count of the websites I’ve created over the past several decades, I’ve also focused on the “how to do business online” angle, which has made me more of a consultant and coach (who can also build some pretty great websites).
As you can see, knowing what you need and the level of support (hands-off or DIY) will go a long way toward finding the right person(s) for your specific needs. Remember that every professional will probably have a different mix of all these skills. Find the “mix” that works for you.
How-to vs. Having it Done
Business staples and online marketing are not the forte of many designers and developers. Instead, they build sites at varying levels of complexity, and it’s up to you to take it from there.
They will make website changes for you; however, they probably don’t offer tutoring on how to make those changes yourself. If you want to learn to do everything on your site, you will benefit from a coach or consultant.
Look for folks who know their niche and excel at it. However, no one can be an expert in everything that contributes to online success—it’s impossible. Don’t believe anyone who tells you otherwise.
Most business owners may think they know what they want and need from a website. However, what will work to meet their stated goals is often two entirely different paths. So, choose a person or company to acknowledge that fact and seamlessly meld the two for you.
Know What You Don’t Know
After creating many websites and helping folks for a long time, I am still acutely aware of what I don’t know—and it’s a lot. So, I rely on intel from folks who know what I need to know, and I never stop learning.
Anyone with a website who wants to experience any level of success needs to take that approach. Things constantly change, and you must go with the flow or fall behind. You want to work with folks who acknowledge that and want to help you along.
While most small businesses will likely work with a Designer, Developer, or both, few will seek consulting and coaching. Even if you feel you have the best website, its success is up to you and what you do or don’t do after the launch. How will you gain that knowledge?
This is where a coach can contribute to your program.
What about Coaching?
Professional coaching could be a resource or course that helps you with issues you don’t know enough about.
Determining what will work best depends on being honest with yourself. Only you know how you learn, absorb, implement change, and apply new concepts. So ask yourself these questions:
The answers to the above questions will help you determine the type of service provider you want to seek out.
Download the Designer/Developer/Coach/Consultant Checklist
I whipped up a little checklist you can use to determine the type of person(s) or companies you need to help with your online business success. I’ve included generalities for each category to give you an idea of what each person typically does. However, don’t be surprised if there’s overlap.
Some Designers and Consultants can also write code. Some Developers offer security and maintenance services. And some coaches don’t make websites and have very narrow practices, which they excel at.
Determine your needs and desires, and then ask as many questions as necessary to find the person who meets your requirements. The only wrong question is the one that goes unasked.
Download my checklist to better understand which services you’ll need and who can best help you reach your goals. Don’t be surprised if you discover you may need all four!
At your service,
*Some of the links on this page are to companies with which I have a professional affiliation.
Read my complete affiliate statement here.