Choosing a Web Designer

Before choosing someone to design your Web Site, there are a lot of factors to consider. The first and foremost is what is it that you want to accomplish with your site. Are you selling something, is it a high end product, are you looking to sell quantity, are you looking to share information, Once you have answered these questions then you need to look at the realistic figures that your willing to work with. If you're a small business and want to sell your product on the internet then this could be an issue.
Keep in mind the types of Web Sites that you will be competing with. In order to get the typical web surfer to take your site seriously you need to make an impression. A lot of your competition may be larger than you, they can afford a large e-commerce site. This is not only costly to design but also costly to maintain. If you can afford it this is the route you should go. How ever if you can not, than DO NOT try to pass your business off for what it is not. Most surfers can see right through this, then they figure your trying to hide something and they won't deal with you at all. Instead, present you business professionally and honestly. Give the background of your business, when you started. Its no crime if your business is new, but make sure you put emphasis on that fact. Make sure that you include a picture and bio of yourself on your site, This gives the surfer the feeling that he/she is dealing with a real person and business. If you have a retail establishment then include pictures of that as well. Let them know where you are. Give as much contact information as you possibly can (phone, fax, toll free line, voice mail, e-mail etc.), this makes a client much more comfortable about doing business over the internet it gives them the feeling that you are not out of reach for their needs.

If your business is small and you can't afford the big expensive e-commerce site, it doesn't mean you can't present your products over the internet. You can create a catalogue for your customers to see your product line. If you do not have a secure line than Do Not include a place on the order form for credit card orders. Instead, let your customers know that you will contact them or give them a toll free number to call once they have filled out the order form. This way, you can make the transaction as a typical phone order and follow the same procedures, and you still received an order that you otherwise would have not.

Now that you have established what type of site you can afford you need to find someone that will create the site for you. I'm a firm believer in keeping business in my local area since in the long run we benefit from this. The first place you should look is the internet. In your keyword search you should include your town or city, if this comes back without any results than expand your search to areas just outside your town or city. Once you have a list of designers at hand then check out their site thoroughly, especially their clients list. You need not be put off if his/her client list is not a mile long and they are new in the business, as this is where you may get your best buy. Go to their clients sites and see if you can find one that would best represent your business and then make some inquires with these clients as to the type of service they received. Make sure you ask, if the price that they were quoted was the price they paid or were there enticements that were made to increase the cost of the site.

Now that you have a list of Web Designers, create a check list of questions for each Designer on your list and call them one by one. Ask your questions, take notes, then do your comparisons. Price should not be the only determining factor in your choice. If it is you may end up with a site that is not worth the space it's using on the Internet.

Here are a list of questions you may consider asking clients of a web designer.

Ask about pricing (of course).
 

• Was the pricing reasonable compared to the results?
• Where there "hidden" costs?
• Did the developers offer itemized invoices?

Ask about the service before, during and after the project.

•  Did the developer have your business interests in mind?
• Was the web developer, skilled, organized, and helpful?
• Did the developer clearly have a strong knowledge of the web development process as it relates to business goals?

Ask about the quality of the development.

• Was the graphic design of good quality?
• Was there custom programming (i.e. - java script, database, CGI)?
• Where there complaints by people visiting the site?
• Was the Client satisfied?
   

Finding a good designer is like going fishing, make sure you don't throw the wrong one back just because of their size. And don't let the right one get away just because of their pricing, they may give you the best site for your money.