When you’re ordering a job from a freelance designer, it’s always a good idea to know exactly what you need. You can use this template as a basis.
1. A WordPress theme
You’re ordering a custom designed WordPress theme. It needs to run all the current WordPress version.
Some basic requirements:
- Include 100% HTML valid HTML.
- Belong to you when it’s done.
- No unasked-for credit links.
- For multilingual support, use the WPML plugin.
- Everything in the site must be multilingual ready.
2. Graphics design
Depending on what you’re looking for, you might want the designer to migrate an existing design to WordPress or to redesign it. In any case, state clearly what you need.
If you’re ordering any new graphics, make sure you ask for the high-resolution versions as well, so that you can later use it in print.
3. How to develop and test
The developer must provide a complete testing environment, where you can preview of your site before installing it on your own server.
Ideally, the design would be managed using a version control system, and not passed back and forth via email. It takes a few minutes to set up and will save days later.
It’s a good idea to give the designer sample contents to test the design on.
4. How to deploy on your server
Part of the work might be deploying the new site on your server. By including this in the project, you’ll be saving yourself a lot of time and trouble launching the site.
It’s OK to change page URLs. Web servers can redirect from the old site’s URLs to the new URLs. It’s better to keep a URLs structure that makes sense in WordPress than try to force it to your old URLs.