How to hire a web site designer

How to hire a web site designer, step by step

Here's a step-by-step web site designer hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a web site designer job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new web site designer
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   First, determine the employments status of the web site designer you need to hire. Certain web site designer roles might require a full-time employee, whereas others can be done by part-time workers or contractors.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   Hiring the perfect web site designer also involves considering the ideal background you'd like them to have. Depending on what industry or field they have experience in, they'll bring different skills to the job. It's also important to consider what levels of seniority and education the job requires and what kind of salary such a candidate would likely demand.

   This list presents web site designer salaries for various positions.

   Type of Web Site Designer	Description	Hourly rate
   Web Site Designer	Web developers design and create websites. They are responsible for the look of the site... Show more	$22-35
   Java Developer	A Java developer is responsible for developing Java-based applications, including its strong efficiency and smooth operations for the clients and business' use. Java developers implement application designs, diagnosing ineffective processes, and conducting troubleshooting... Show more	$32-54
   NET Developer	A NET developer specializes in crafting and producing various software and information systems through extensive computer and information technology knowledge. A NET developer's responsibilities range from designing and developing applications, generating codes and building a secure database, implementing regulations, and providing continuous support and maintenance... Show more	$32-55

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • CSS
   • HTML
   • WordPress
   • JavaScript
   • Adobe Photoshop
   • Graphic Design
   • Html Css
   • SEO
   • PHP
   • Adobe Indesign
   • UI
   • Web Site Design
   • Content Management
   • Dreamweaver

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Manage website overhaul improve delivery, appearance and messaging to measurably improve B2B and B2C revenue.
   • Manage data migrations and SharePoint integration for corporate Intranet with external consultants.
   • Create visual assets, HTML pages, CSS code, and PHP code.
   • Consult directly with professional web developers on best practices for site maintenance and PHP development.
   • Design, develop and code HTML, CGI, and JavaScript driven web sites for business and personal clients.
   • Design and create web site, using XHTML and CSS in BBEdit.

   More web site designer duties

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in the web site designer job description is a good way to get more applicants. A web site designer salary can be affected by several factors, such as the location of the job, the level of experience, education, certifications, and the employer's prestige.

   For example, the average salary for a web site designer in Colorado may be lower than in California, and an entry-level engineer typically earns less than a senior-level web site designer. Additionally, a web site designer with lots of experience in the field may command a higher salary as a result.

   Average web site designer salary

   $58,457yearly

   $28.10 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level web site designer salary

   $46,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 18, 2025

   Average web site designer salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	California	$70,898	$34
   2	Washington	$69,609	$33
   3	Arizona	$60,967	$29
   4	Pennsylvania	$57,166	$27
   5	Illinois	$55,641	$27
   6	Missouri	$54,428	$26
   7	Texas	$50,788	$24
   8	North Carolina	$50,716	$24
   9	Florida	$48,758	$23
   10	Michigan	$47,813	$23
   11	Wisconsin	$47,108	$23

   Average web site designer salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	University of Michigan	$62,037	$29.83	2
   2	Woolpert	$59,869	$28.78	3
   3	Swift Denim Services Inc	$58,748	$28.24
   4	University of Arizona Foundation	$58,716	$28.23	2
   5	Point	$58,638	$28.19	4
   6	Robert Half	$57,646	$27.71	57

4. Writing a web site designer job description

   A web site designer job description should include a summary of the role, required skills, and a list of responsibilities. It's also good to include a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager. Below, you can find an example of a web site designer job description:

   Web site designer job description example

   Woolpert, Inc. is a cutting-edge national architecture, engineering and geospatial (AEG) firm that delivers value to clients by blending engineering excellence with innovative technology and geospatial applications. Woolpert is certified as an Employer of Choice by Great Place To Work . We believe great companies are built from exceptional people and amazing clients. As we grow, we are seeking a dynamic Site Design EIT.
   Responsibilities:
   
   + Design and create site layout plans in alignment with client requirements and Woolpert standards.
   
   + Utilize AutoCAD Civil 3D to develop concept plans, grading plans, and site designs.
   
   + Strong interest and working knowledge in hydrology and stormwater management.
   
   + Proven ability to multi-task, appropriately prioritize workflow and complete tasks.
   
   + Work with project management team to identify impediments and develop / implement solutions to overcome obstacles.
   
   + Perform pavement assessments and compiling data and reports
   
   + Other duties as assigned.
   
   Requirements:
   
   + Candidates will have a minimum BS in Civil Engineering.
   
   + Zero (0) to four (4) years related experience.
   
   + An Engineer-In-Training certification is strongly preferred.
   
   + Experience in Autodesk Civil 3d
   
   + Experience in Hydraulics and Hydrology preferred.
   
   + Duties include occasional field work, frequent local travel, and overnight travel as needed.
   
   #LI- JB1
   
   Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
   
   The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor's legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)
   
   Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
   
   The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor's legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   To find the right web site designer for your business, consider trying out a few different recruiting strategies:

   • Consider internal talent. One of the most important sources of talent for any company is its existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals. Reach out to friends, family members, and current employees and ask if they know or have worked with web site designers they would recommend.
   • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit web site designers who meet your education requirements.
   • Social media platforms. LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter now have more than 3.5 billion users, and you can use social media to reach potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your web site designer job on Zippia to find and attract quality web site designer candidates.
   • Use niche websites such as dribbble, authentic jobs, working not working, coroflot.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   Your first interview with web site designer candidates should focus on their interest in the role and background experience. As the hiring process goes on, you can learn more about how they'd fit into the company culture in later rounds of interviews.

   It's also good to ask about candidates' unique skills and talents. You can move on to the technical interview if a candidate is good enough for the next step.

   Sometimes, it's not enough to interview web site designer candidates, so you can ask them to do a test project. If you are not a technical person and don't know what a test project should be, you can use these websites:

   • TestDome
   • CodeSignal
   • Testlify
   • BarRaiser
   • Coderbyte

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new web site designer

   Once you have selected a candidate for the web site designer position, it is time to create an offer letter. In addition to salary, the offer letter should include details about benefits and perks that are available to the employee. Ensuring your offer is competitive is vital, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and it is important to be open to discussion and reach a mutually beneficial agreement. After the offer has been accepted, it is a good idea to formalize the agreement with a contract.

   It's equally important to follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

   Once that's done, you can draft an onboarding schedule for the new web site designer. Human Resources should complete Employee Action Forms and ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc. They should also ensure that new employee files are created for internal recordkeeping.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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