You do not just pick-up the phone and hire someone like a web designer based on one conversation alone. No need to stress if all of this makes no sense or you do not know what to do first. You will find that it is not hard at all, but you do need to get some solid grounding in the process.
Proper business communications is something that can prevent so many problems from happening including misunderstandings and more, and that is what you need to have here. You will find that most high quality, experienced designers understand this, but you may find some who are not strong in this department. At this point, what should you look for after you start talking with them about your project? Pay attention to their level of interest in what you need, and this is not so difficult to assess when you speak with somebody. This is what separates a good designer from a bad one, which is why you should try to focus as much as you can on effective communication. It is not unusual at all to continue communications here and there after you hire the person. Maybe you are a little surprised to know that there is more involvement on your part than expected.
Maybe you are thinking that a good designer will have a fast turnaround time, and you will be in action in just a few days, or even a week. However, if you're hiring a professional designer who is in demand, then he/she may take a few months to complete a project. They are not slow, but they are making sure it is done right; plus they are backed up with work. However, all is not lost about this because all you have to do is find somebody else with a more agreeable timetable. We are just trying to shed light on the relevant issues and what you can expect to find as you search for a designer.
Be sure to include in the contract that your site will appear properly in the major browsers and not look broken. So just talk to your designer about this concern and get it on paper that your site will not have this issue. Not all designers will bother to do this or maybe not check, so be sure you do not hire one of those. If you should hire someone with less experience, then this will be a problem unless you talk about it before you pay anything. That is another reason why we always stress the need for clear communications. If you need a web designer, then just begin doing your research like we talked about and take action on it.