Web Designer Job Descriptions for Hiring Managers and HR

What Does a Web Designer Do?

Web designers create the look, layout, and features of websites. They are responsible for designing and modifying websites from an original concept to create a user experience that is enjoyable and highly functional. Web designers work closely with developers to plan updates for the website and prioritize tasks.

A web designer needs to have an understanding of both computer programming and graphic design. Web designers should be proficient in front-end web development languages like HTML, CSS, JQuery, and JavaScript.

Web designers frequently communicate with clients and stakeholders who are outside of the development team about the goals and status of a particular project which requires strong written, verbal, and presentation skills.

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National Average Salary

Web designer salaries vary by experience, industry, organization size, and geography. To explore salary ranges by local market, please visit our sister site zengig.com.

web designer salary data

The average U.S. salary for a Web Designer is:

$73,900

Web Designer Job Descriptions

It’s important to include the right content in your job description when hiring a web designer. The following examples can serve as templates for attracting the best available talent for your team.

Example 1

A web designer’s primary role is to design the overall look of a website, including the color scheme and layout. Web designers work closely with clients to translate their creative vision into an attractive, functional website. Some of their duties include coding the website’s navigation features, designing buttons and controls, creating and presenting mockups of websites for clients, removing dead links, maintaining the site, and backing up the website. [Your Company Name] is looking for a creative individual with excellent communication and collaboration skills, along with knowledge of coding and graphic design principles. Successful candidates will be fluent in HTML and XML, have an eye for detail, and be familiar with Adobe software.

Typical duties and responsibilities

Create Photoshop Documents (PSDs) for the visual layout of web pages and convert each design into HTML and CSS
Maintain and update all JQuery plugins for websites
Implement and maintain high-quality SEO policies and incorporate them with content produced for the website
Remove any “dead” links immediately and respond to issues with site functionality
Create mock-ups for proposed project pages and update them as needed

Education and experience

Bachelor’s degree in computer science, graphic design, or a related field required

Required skills and qualifications

Knowledge of content marketing
Proficiency with ASP.net web forms
Advanced Photoshop and Illustrator skills
Knowledge of WordPress standards and functionality
Professional portfolio with at least five designs for internal review

Preferred qualifications

Proficiency in JavaScript, HTML, CSS, and other program languages and applications
1+ years of proficiency in WordPress & WordPress-related applications
Proficiency in Google Web-based platforms

Example 2

You should have

Mastery of Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, and XD
Familiarity with video editing software such as Adobe After Effects
Knowledge of what developers can and cannot do for the web
Passion for design in general with an understanding of critical core concepts
A desire to continue learning and keeping up with the design industry
An awesome portfolio showcasing experience in designing websites (specifically e-commerce) and ad banners
Experience with Google Web Designer (highly preferred)
Experience with project tools such as Basecamp, QuickBooks, and Google Docs (preferred)
Knowledge of HTML and CSS (preferred)
Experience presenting materials to clients professionally
Ability to perform well under pressure and under short deadlines
Excellent writing abilities
Reliable transportation if working in-house
A reliable workstation with a fast computer, microphone, speakers, reliable internet, and power if working remotely

Duties and tasks

Designing unique and client-specific logos and brand guides from scratch
Designing wireframes, website mockups, and other related graphics for both desktop and mobile devices based on creative briefs and other materials
Designing both static and video banners for ad campaigns, remarketing, promos, and social media
Drawing vector icons and other illustrations using the pen tool
Designing print material such as brochures, letterheads, and business cards
Attending and/or participating in client meetings and working with our Digital Producers to plan how to achieve the client goals through creative but proper design
Collaborating with the copywriters, SEO team, developers, and other teams to establish the vision of the project, and analyze tradeoffs between usability and performance needs
Preparing design files in order to properly hand-off to developers
Ensuring that projects are completed according to schedule while effectively applying our methodology and following quality standards

Example 3

Responsibilities and qualifications

The web production design team is responsible for deciding and implementing how our client’s websites look and work
“Web” is in the job title because the job is specifically focused on the web with specific skills in HTML and CSS

A day in the life

Design/build customer sites using predefined layouts
Design/build mockups based on the customer’s design guide
Full understanding of the YM platform
Communicate with all teams throughout the design process
Manage time through two-week planning cycles

We are looking for someone who brings

2+ years of experience in HTML, CSS, JavaScript
2+ years in a web design/development role
Ability to write/design using HTML and CSS
Proficient in Adobe Creative Suite, primarily Photoshop, Illustrator, and Dreamweaver
Strong portfolio of relevant work
Attention to the visual details
Understanding of responsive design
Well-organized and self-starter with a strong appetite for learning
Ability to adhere to processes and deadlines
Thrive as a collaborative team player!
Strong understanding of design principles as they pertain to the web
Experience with HTML5 and CSS3, with an emphasis on writing clean, compliant code
Experience using frameworks such as Bootstrap is a plus
Strong skills in problem-solving and collaboration with cross-functional team members
A.S./B.S. degree in Web Design, Graphic Design, or a related discipline preferred

Example 4

Responsibilities and qualifications

Minimum of 5 years experience in web design
Good understanding of front-end technologies, including HTML5, CSS3, JavaScript, and front-end frameworks like Bootstrap
Adobe Creative Cloud experience, specifically Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign
Strong familiarity with designing, developing, and modifying WordPress themes
Knowledge of creating and deploying HTML email campaigns and managing email lists
Demonstrable graphic design and typography skills with a strong portfolio
Keep up to date with the latest web trends, techniques, and technologies
Knowledge of Google Analytics and Tag Manager
Experience in B2B landing page development, design, and deployment
Adheres to web design standards
Must be highly organized and able to work independently to meet deadlines
Ability to solve problems creatively and effectively

Bonus skills

Previous work with b2b marketing
Experience with motion graphics (Adobe AfterEffects and/or Premiere)
Understanding of best SEO practices
Salesforce
monday.com
Zoho platform experience
Agency and corporate experience is a plus
Experience with PHP programming
Microsoft Office 365
Familiarity with SEMrush or similar tool
Prototyping with Adobe XD, Figma
Experience and knowledge of eCommerce platforms
Incorporating new functionality into existing websites
Preparing web design plans and presenting new website structures
Excellent visual design skills
Focus on website user experience and process improvement
Keep up on the latest trends in site optimization
Experience adding Google Featured Snippets to the website
Integration of social media tracking tools such as Facebook Pixel and/or LinkedIn Insite Tags
Utilizing tools such as Hotjar or Zoho PageSense to improve website conversion.
Experience with optimizing landing pages and user funnels
Knowledge or experience managing SEO/SEM marketing

Example 5 (Junior)

Our client is looking for a passionate, innovative, and collaborative Junior Web Designer to join their team! The Junior Web Designer is responsible for designing and maintaining web-based projects for our clients. This person is a goal-oriented individual who possesses exceptional attention to detail and has outstanding interpersonal skills. You care about the culture and environment where you work, and you are going to take ownership of the time you spend with them and truly make an impact.

Responsibilities

Create Wireframes via Adobe XD or Photoshop (WordPress, Shopify, and WooCommerce)
Create Web Design mock-ups via Adobe XD or Photoshop (WordPress, Shopify, and WooCommerce)
Design and develop WordPress-based websites
Design and develop landing pages for various marketing efforts
Test and improve the design of websites (UI/UX/Responsiveness)
Respond to WordPress, Shopify, or WooCommerce support tickets and requests
Design and/or optimize graphics and visuals for websites while ensuring they are in line with client branding as well as best SEO practices
Work with Project Managers and clients to identify requirements and project goals
Test and verify with team members and clients that solutions will meet the business requirements
Participate in meetings with clients including creative meetings, design reviews, demos, and end-user training
Integrate various third-party applications to websites based on client needs and project scope (MailChimp, Constant Contact, HubSpot, etc.)
Work collaboratively in a team setting, as well as independently

Minimum requirements

1-2 years experience designing, building, and managing WordPress websites and knowledge of WordPress best practices
Experience working with WP Bakery Page Builder or similar
Bachelor’s degree in a related field preferred
Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite (Dreamweaver, Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign, XD)
Experience with reading and editing HTML/CSS
Experience with WooCommerce preferred
Experience with Shopify preferred
Strong design skills and ability to follow branding guidelines
Understanding of UI/UX principles
Excellent communication skills with clients and team members
Experience with tight-turnaround times
Ability to handle multiple projects and collaborate with clients and other departments
High levels of self-motivation
Ability to create new compelling and competent designs
Attention to detail and the ability to effectively multi-task in a deadline-driven atmosphere

Example 6 (Senior)

Job description

ABC Company is looking for a senior web designer to create game-changing digital display advertising formats that differentiate our advertising business and set a new high mark across our industry. This role will join a special task force within the Advertising department dedicated to reimagining and redesigning our core digital display ad formats. You will lead the design development for a new suite of ad units, starting with research, UI/UX explorations, collaborating with technical partners to invent the underlying architecture, and finally designing an executable style guide for these products. Someone who is curious, insightful, and inspired to create a totally new design system that is flexible, innovative, and above all else exactingly crafted will succeed in this role.

Responsibilities

Initiate and conduct internal user research with our team to identify pain points and opportunities for improvement to understand the core needs of this new system.
Develop an intuitive UX schema that encompasses a workflow starting with our advertisers and ending with our audience’s impression of world-class premium display ads.
Imagine new ways for users to interact with our display ads.
Design a comprehensive UI style guide in coordination with our technical team which is adaptive and responsive, and elevates the end-user experience.
Oversee the execution from a visual perspective to ensure that what we build is what we’ve designed with a critical eye for specifics.
Work with internal partners to test and optimize the units for better end performance after launch.

Basic qualifications

4+ years of relevant product, web, and UI/UX design experience
A portfolio of work that showcases your problem-solving process along with exceptional finished design work. Applications without portfolios will not be considered.
Experience building Atomic or equivalent design systems for responsive and/or adaptive web.
Proficiency in design tools like Figma, and collaboration software including Google Workspace, Slack, & Jira.

Preferred qualifications

Able to create production-ready design deliverables, and prepare the necessary documentation to help capture the details of our design choices.
Work with engineers to ensure the visual quality of what we release.
Able to present design decisions to a variety of audiences both creative and not.
Demonstrated typographic sensibility, with an understanding of the nuances of type on the screen.
Some understanding of the interaction between underlying technologies used to build modern digital experiences (no coding experience is required).
Capable multitaskers who deftly prioritize their work in a fast-paced environment, and who manage their time well under tight deadlines.
Driven self-starter with a positive and collaborative attitude.
Enthusiastic about the mission of ABC Company.

Candidate Certifications to Look For

CIW Web and Mobile Design Certifications – CIW offers 7 specialized certificates to prepare candidates to work in today’s market as a web designer. These certifications cover HTML5 and CSS3, user interface design, social media strategy, multimedia tactics, mobile application development, e-commerce services, and data analysis. All CIW certificates are vendor-neutral.
Adobe Certified Expert (ACE) – Offered by Adobe, this credential has three levels of certification. The ACE Product certification recognizes the holder as an expert in one single Adobe product. The ACE Specialist certification recognizes the holder as an expert in multiple Adobe products across a specific medium. Finally, the ACE Master certification recognizes the certificate holder as an expert in an entire Adobe Suite.

How to Hire a Web Designer

When hiring a web designer, first consider the following:

Recruiting: Do you have the knowledge, tools, and resources to attract and screen candidates?
Complexity: Do you need a senior professional, or will mid or junior-level skills and experience suffice?
Duration: Is this a one-time project or an ongoing need?
Management: Do you have the time and expertise to direct the work effectively?
Urgency: How soon does the work need to be completed?
Headcount: Do you have the budget and approval for an internal employee, or should you consider alternate options?

Answering these questions will help determine the best course of action for your current hiring need. Fortunately, great options exist for every scenario. These are our recommendations:

1. Use 4 Corner Resources (or another professional recruiting firm)

The heavy lifting is done for you when working with a top-tier staffing company like 4 Corner Resources. We source, screen, recruit, and deliver only the most qualified candidate(s), saving you significant time and effort throughout the hiring process while you remain focused on your core business. Understanding your needs and ensuring the right candidate for the position is the key to our success.

This is the best route to take when:

You need to fill the position quickly
You want access to a vast talent pool of high-quality, prescreened candidates
Your position is suited for temporary hiring services, contract staffing, or contract-to-hire recruiting, and you intend to direct the work activity.
You are hiring an employee as a direct placement but aren’t able to recruit effectively or efficiently with your internal staff.
You aren’t familiar with current salary rates, market trends, and available skill sets

2. Hire an experienced freelancer

The freelance, or gig, economy continues to grow, with more talent available daily. Freelancers provide high-quality work without a long-term commitment. They can offer you a fresh perspective, more flexibility, and increase efficiency. While the freelance market isn’t ideal for every position, web designers are often a great fit.

We recommend this option when:

Your need is project-based
The work can be performed remotely
You do not intend to direct the daily work activity
You are hiring for expertise your internal team does not possess
You do not require an employee to work onsite or follow a specific schedule

Here are two popular freelance platforms that we recommend when hiring a web designer:

Upwork

Upwork is a freelance talent network that helps individuals connect with experts in a variety of fields to accomplish project-based needs. When you have a specific, well-defined goal in mind, this can be a great path to hiring an experienced web designer. If you are satisfied with the outcome you can continue to book the same freelancer through Upwork’s easy-to-use project interface.

Toptal

Toptal is an exclusive network of the top freelance software developers, designers, finance experts, product managers, and project managers in the world. Toptal vets its freelancers before making them accessible, ensuring their legitimacy. Top companies hire Toptal freelancers for their most important projects. Hiring a web designer on Toptal can help you quickly get the results you need.

3. Advertise your opening on a top job board

Your best option may be to advertise your opening on a proven job board. There are many widely used job sites out there that draw visits from qualified candidates. If you have someone internally who can dedicate the time and energy to sort through applications and screen individuals effectively, this can be a great choice.

We recommend using a job board when:

Your internal recruiting team has the knowledge and experience to assess candidate qualifications
You are hiring a direct employee and have time to manage the entire recruiting effort
You have a process for receiving, screening, and tracking all resumes and applications
You are prepared to respond to all applicants

We recommend CareerBuilder for web designer openings:

CareerBuilder

CareerBuilder has been a trusted source for hiring since 1995. Reach 80+ million unique, diverse U.S. job seekers annually by posting your jobs through their talent acquisition channels. Through CareerBuilder, you can engage candidates and drive them into your sourcing pipeline. We recommend using CareerBuilder for hiring when you have the internal resources and processes to review, screen, and reply to all applicants.

4. Leverage your internal resources

You can utilize your own website, social media, and employees to assist in your search for top candidates.

A company website posting should be the first step in notifying prospective candidates that you are hiring. Social media can also be a powerful tool for spreading the word about your new opening. As far as exposure is concerned, this option can be as good as some job boards when you have a large enough following across various platforms, like LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and Twitter.

Current employees are every organization’s greatest asset. Encourage your internal team to promote job openings to their network by offering cash and other incentives.

We recommend these options when:

Your brand has great name recognition
You can consistently monitor and respond to candidate activity through your website and social media accounts
You have a process in place to quickly and broadly communicate job openings and requirements
You have an effective employee referral program in place

If you aren’t sure which path is best, schedule a discovery call today with our seasoned recruiting professionals. The 4 Corner team is on standby to help you find the best option for your unique hiring need.