How to Work With a Virtual Assistant or Web Designer (and Get Great Results)
A little prep goes a long way — here's what makes the difference.
Hiring a virtual assistant or web designer is exciting. It means you're ready to get some things off your plate and start showing up online in a bigger way. But here's something I see often: business owners hire support and then aren't quite sure how to make the most of it.
That's not a criticism — it's completely normal. Most of us were never taught how to delegate or collaborate with a creative partner. So let's talk about it.
Here's what I've found helps clients get the best results — whether we're building a website together, tackling your task list, or both.
1. How Much Should You Have Figured Out Before Hiring a Designer or VA?
You don't need everything figured out, but the more you can share about your goals, dream clients, and the vibe you're going for, the better the results will be.
Think about things like:
Websites you love (and what you love about them
The feeling you want visitors to get when they land on your site
Colors, fonts, or brands that feel like "you"
The #1 thing you want your website to do for your business
A Pinterest board or a few screenshot examples can save hours of back-and-forth. Even just saying "I like this but not that" is incredibly helpful.
That's actually why I include detailed questionnaires as part of every website build — so I can get inside your head before we ever start designing, and you feel confident we're headed in the right direction from day one.
2. Why Does Timely, Honest Feedback Make Such a Big Difference?
Delayed or vague feedback is the number one thing that slows projects down. Setting aside even 20 minutes a week for clear, specific feedback keeps momentum going and gets you to the finish line faster.
Your VA or designer can't read your mind, and "looks good" doesn't always mean you truly love it. If something feels off, say so — kindly and specifically. "The font feels too formal for my brand" is way more helpful than "I'm not sure about this." I promise you will not hurt my feelings.
Give yourself a dedicated window to review work — even 20 minutes a week. Timely, clear feedback keeps momentum going and gets you to the finish line faster.
3. Should You Manage Every Detail or Let Your Designer Take the Lead?
If you hired someone whose work you admire, give them room to bring their expertise. Over-directing every detail often gets in the way of the result you're hoping for.
Share your vision clearly, then let your designer or VA bring their expertise to it. That's what you're paying for — and it's usually where the magic happens. 💙
4. What Content Should You Have Ready Before a Website Project?
At minimum, have a short bio, details about your services, a headshot or brand photos, and any testimonials you want to highlight. The more content that's ready, the smoother the build goes.
Before your project kicks off, try to have:
A short bio or "about" paragraph
Details about your services (what's included, who it's for, pricing if you share it)
A professional headshot or brand photos
Any testimonials or client wins you want to highlight
Don't have all of this yet? That's okay — we can talk through what to prioritize. But the more you have ready, the smoother the whole experience will be.
5. What Happens When Life Gets in the Way of a Project?
Life happens. A sick kid, a packed week, a season of burnout. If you need to pause or push something back, just say so. A good VA or designer would rather know than wonder where you went.
Just say so. A good VA or designer would rather know you need to pause than wonder where you went. Open communication from day one is what makes the working relationship work.
To sum it up
Getting support in your business is a big deal, and it works best when you show up as a collaborative partner. A little preparation, clear communication, and trust in the process can take a good project and make it a great one.
If you're thinking about getting some help with your website or business tasks, I'd love to chat about what that could look like for you.
Ready to take something off your plate?
Book a free discovery call and let's talk about where you could use some support- whether that's a brand new website, a refresh, or ongoing VA help.
Not sure what to hand off first? Grab the Free Guide here.
