Are you planning to launch a new website or redesign an existing one? Hiring a web designer and copywriter should be one of your top priorities!
While there are many different roles involved in building a successful website, your web designer and copywriter are crucial –– after all, they’re the ones who will take charge of how the website looks and what the website says.
The question is, however… who should you hire first? And what will each person be in charge of?
Whether you’re starting fresh or revamping a website that’s already live and in need of a lil’ TLC, the answer might surprise you.
Let’s take a closer look at the pros and cons of each approach to help you decide which one is right for your project!
What does a web designer do?
In short, a web designer is in charge of what your website is going to look like. They take ideas and make them a visual reality, they make sure everything functions properly, and they’re there to help if anything happens to go wrong technically.
Web designers use their creative skills and technical knowledge to design websites that aren’t just aesthetically pleasing, but also user-friendly –– both of which are very important if you’re looking to stand out in today’s busy digital world.
Why does this matter? Well, here’s the thing…
- A website that looks good makes people want to visit it
- A website that functions well makes people want to stay on it
- A website that does both of these things makes people want to visit it, engage with it, and (when appropriate) shop/buy from it
That’s a win-win!
Some of the key tasks that a web designer typically performs include:
- Creating layouts: Using tools like Figma and Adobe, web designers create mockups and wireframes of website layouts. These mockups then serve as a blueprint for the website’s actual design, and they also help clients visualize what they can expect to see when the project is completed.
- Choosing color schemes and other branded aspects: In some cases, web designers can come in as a helping hand when it comes to all things branding. They can help pick an appropriate color palette, the best types of fonts for readability, and even some additional graphic aspects like icons, illustrations, and more.
- Ensuring user experience: Web designers have a strong focus on making websites easy to use and navigate. That’s why they work to design layouts, menus, and buttons that are intuitive for users, and ensure that the website is responsive and works well on all devices.
- Coding: While not all web designers are proficient in coding, many of them do have a basic understanding of HTML, CSS, and JavaScript that helps them communicate more efficiently with developers and ensure the website is built to standards.
Overall, a web designer’s role is to create a website that is visually appealing, user-friendly, and functional.
By focusing on these three aspects, they can put something together that not only looks good and represents the brand, but also helps businesses reach their goals.
What does a copywriter do?
On the other hand, a copywriter is responsible for creating the written content on a website. Their main goal is to produce content and copy that is engaging, persuasive, and informative.
Additionally, a copywriter plays an important role in perfecting the voice of your brand and bringing it to life. That’s why copywriters use their skills to create written content that not only communicates the business’ message and values but also engages and connects with your audience –– because, as we’ve mentioned earlier, connection is everything when it comes to building a brand.
Some of the most important ways a copywriter can help when it comes to creating or updating a website are:
- Developing a brand voice: Experienced copywriters aren’t just great at writing, they can also help with more behind-the-scenes tasks like perfecting your brand voice and ensuring it remains consistent. Copywriters use language and tone to reflect a business’s personality and values, as well as make sure it resonates with readers.
- Bringing ideas to life: Copywriters are great when it comes to taking the business’s ideas and concepts and transforming them into compelling content. They use creativity and research to write headlines, subheadlines, and calls-to-action (CTAs) that captures visitors’ attention and drive conversions.
- Clarifying the message: Copywriters have the ability to clarify your business’ message and ensure that it’s communicated effectively to your target audience. They use clear and concise language and make sure that everyone is able to easily understand what makes your business special –– and why they should choose your business over everyone else.
Overall, a copywriter is in charge of bringing your business voice to life through written content. By understanding and perfecting your brand voice, they can help businesses connect with their target audience and achieve their online goals.
How do a web designer and copywriter work together?
A web designer and a copywriter are a great duo to have by your side when it comes to updating or launching a website.
As a whole, a web designer and copywriter collaborate to define the website’s purpose: from how it should be organized to what it can say, where it can say it, and what it should ultimately look like.
Of course, though: this is your website –– and you obviously have a say in all of these things! But when you choose to hire a web designer and a copywriter, you’re doing more than just hiring them to do one thing and tick off a to-do list.
Experienced, knowledgeable, and with a deep understanding of their respective fields, web designers and copywriters can also act as mentors or guides that will help boost your website’s potential and double down on all of the good stuff you see popping up on websites everywhere.
Who should you hire first: a web designer or a copywriter?
The answer is… there is no answer. Ha!
In all seriousness, though, the decision ultimately relies on what your business goals look like, and what you’re hoping to achieve.
PRO TIP: Although there is ‘no answer’ to who you should hire first, we definitely recommend solidfying your BRAND MESSAGE before starting on your website design or copy. Once you have a clear brand message in place, it makes it easier for a copywriter to write your website copy and a website designer to clearly convey the message, mission, and vision of your business through design! And lucky for you, we’re copywriters who specialize in brand message and strategy *wink*.
However, and because we wouldn’t leave you hanging just like that, there are a few factors to consider that can help you make this decision:
Content-driven vs. design-driven
One of the biggest tell-tale signs of who you should hire first –– a web designer or a copywriter ––is whether you’re more focused on design or content, to begin with. If your website is content-driven and relies heavily on written content/copy to convey your message, it may be beneficial to hire a copywriter first –– and then find a web designer who can accommodate this.
On the other hand, if your website is design-driven and focuses heavily on looks and visuals, it may be better to hire a web designer first to take care of the work –– and then find a copywriter who can come in and fine-tune the details of what to say, where to say it, and how to say it effectively.
Timeline
A second factor to consider is your timeline. If you’re on a strict timeline to complete the project, consider hiring the professional you believe will take the longest first. Then, once the first part of the project is underway, you can start looking ahead for either a web designer or copywriter who can tackle their side of the project.
Budget
Lastly, another important factor to consider is your budget. That said, be ready to prioritize your needs accordingly –– without necessarily skimping out or looking for a bargain.
You know how the saying goes: “You get what you pay for…”
This is especially true for things like web design and copywriting, where trying to find the easy –– aka cheaper –– way out usually leads to you having to spend even more to fix the initial mistakes.
Should you DIY your website?
The age-old question of whether or not to DIY your website design or copy isn’t easy to answer, but we do have some thoughts on it…
We genuinely believe that businesses should look at their website not as an expense, but as an investment.
How so? Because, in most cases, without a website, it’d be very difficult to find the right clients –– and they’re the ones who keep your business afloat.
So, although there are plenty of tools out there to help you DIY your website design and website copywriting, we also genuinely believe in the power of a job well done. This means that, unless you’re experienced in either area, you’ll have a harder time putting something together that accurately reflects you, your business, and your brand message.
All of which can lead to, well… a flop.
Basically, it all comes down to what you’re looking for and what you’re expecting to get out of your website.
Looking for a copywriter who can help you craft compelling website copy that converts? Our Website Copywriting service is designed for service-based businesses that want to share their message, create a bigger impact, and generate sales. Let’s work together to create some bangin’ copy that finally captures your essence!
Working with a web designer and a copywriter to boost your presence online
At the end of the day, choosing to work with a web designer and a copywriter to create or update your website is one of the best decisions you can make to help boost your online presence and strengthen your brand.
A website designer and copywriter duo can work together not just to make sure your website looks really good, but also that it’s saying all the right things in order to attract clients and build a community.
Also, by collaborating on key aspects such as the site’s main purpose, written content, and visual elements, the web designer and copywriter can create a website that ultimately drives conversions and pushes you closer and closer to achieving your business goals.
As for who to hire first when working on a website project… think of it as a not-so-ancient riddle à la “Which came first, the chicken or the egg?”: it all depends on how you look at it.
