When you hire a web designer to build your website, you are hiring an architect. He or she will be literally building your online storefront (or warehouse, or media center...). Make sure he or she uses the right tools and is a good builder!

• Look at the designer's portfolio(s)
  Be sure a potential designer has the credentials - as measured by past performance - to meet your needs! Above all, be sure he or she has built a number of sites and that they all function as they should. Secondly, make sure those sites are also aesthetically pleasing.
• Get references from former clients
  Don't forget to personally contact some of the clients the designer claims! Contact at least a couple of clients from his or her public portfolio and ask questions like: "Was your site what you wanted?" "Was it on budget?" "On time?" "Did you feel comfortable working with this person?" "Did you get personal attention?"
• Look for personal attention
  You don't want a "cookie-cutter" site; you want a custom site matching your stated needs and desires, which reflects your business's uniqueness.
• Be wary of email offers for cheap (especially overseas, "outsourced") design
  Think about it: do you really want a site built by somebody working for less than minimum wage or without a native-level grasp of English (if your site is to be in English)?
• Get a contract in writing
  All good and reputable designers work with contracts. If a prospective website designer balks at working out a contract, just walk away. The risks are too high.
• Look at the designer's own site!
  You'll be amazed how many designers have shoddy or half- finished sites, with disclaimers like, "I've been so busy working for clients, I haven't had time to fix my own site." Don't believe it. Would you hire a roof contractor whose roof leaks?

We hope these tips will help! Happy hunting! Oh yes, don't forget to check out our own website design services.

Ed Cottrell, Editor and President