Hey Adam. First of all welcome to the forum. Second great post on hiring a web designer. I know I left a comment on the post, but thought I'd compliment you again here.
I'm not sure how unique I am, but thanks for the compliment. I do agree with your assertion too. I hope that came across. Even though I might understand the different aspects you mentioned I know there are people who know more about many of them than I do and I don't consider myself an expert in all of them. To me I'm a web designer/developer first and a marketer/
SEO second.
I agree with you that most designers aren't going to have the same expertise in design and marketing, though I think there will be firms with in house experts in both.
And I too would want to have the "best" web designer and the "best" marketer. Still I'd want both sides to have an understanding of the other since the disciplines overlap in so many places.
It's an interesting discussion. I think both sides really do need an understanding of the other so who do you go to. Larger companies can easily hire both, but a small business may be limited to picking one or at least one at a time. Should they hire a marketing team that knows a little about web design or a web design time that knows a little about marketing? Does it make a difference which way they go?
@Bill - I'm not sure the decision is so easy. For example a marketing team that knows something about design can still be dangerous. They may understand the marketing aspects of the visual design, but know nothing of the code beyond what a program like DreamWeaver spits out. That could hinder all future
seo efforts.
I think it's more a question of each specific firm and what skills they have.
A designer could also hire out for many of the marketing tasks. They could hire a
PR firm and a copywriter. They could outsource link building. I don't think the choice is one size fits all.
For my part I consider myself a web designer/developer who understands the marketing process. I offer people websites that are primed for their future
SEO and marketing. While I offer some
seo services the services are limited and I still mainly see myself as desginer/developer. I still think if someone came to me first they'd be in good hands and on the right path with their marketing. Of course I am a bit biased on my behalf.
