How to Get the Most Out of Working With a VA or Web Designer
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. Come with a clear picture of what you want — even if it's messy
You don't need to have everything figured out before we start. But the more you can share about your goals, your dream clients, and the vibe you're going for, the better.
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. Set aside time to give feedback — and be honest
One of the most common things that slows a project down? Delayed or vague feedback.
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. Trust the process (and the person you hired)
If you've done your homework and hired someone whose work you admire, give them room to do their thing. Over-directing every detail can actually get 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. Gather your content before the project starts
This one is especially important for web design projects. A website can only be built as fast as the content is ready.
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. Communicate openly — especially when life gets busy
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.
The working relationships that feel the best - and get the best results - are the ones where both people feel comfortable being honest. You set the tone for that from day one.
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.
