Everyone is talking about the internet, e-commerce, and how the web can work for you. You know you need a web site. You decide to take the plunge and start to look for a web designer.

What To Do First

Get information about web designers in your area. Visit the web to see what work they have done for other businesses and organizations. There are many talented web designers to choose from. Look for someone you can communicate with easily. The designer should be interested in what you want and what your goals are.

Meet With the Web Designer

The first meeting is critical. From this you can judge quite a lot.

For example:

• Does the designer listen to you?
• Do you feel comfortable?
• Do you work in similar ways?
• Does the designer have the knowledge and experience you need?
• Is the designer willing to spend the necessary time to find out about your business?
• Does the designer have ideas and suggestions?
• Is the designer skilled at helping you understand the process?
• Will the designer look for ways to save you money?
• Will the designer be available when you needed?

The Second Meeting

Ask the designer to take the information from the first meeting and come back to a second meeting with specific ideas for your web site, a ball park figure for the cost of the web site, and a time line for completion.

One important area to discuss is web site development. The designer should have a process in place for web site development that allows you to see several designs in a testing environment.

Another area is what your responsibilities will be. Yes, you are a vital part of the web site development -- securing text and images, approving the layout, proofing pages, and giving constant feedback on site development.

 Final Selection

Once you have selected a web designer, it is important to talk about all the issues that can arise during development prior to signing a contract.

Some of these issues are:

• Time line for development and what can cause delays?
• Who is responsible for gathering what material?
• How the material will be delivered to the designer and in what form?
• What will affect the overall cost of the project?
• Web site testing. Ideally a live development site should be established.
• Proofing and the final meeting before going live.
• Copyright issues. Who clears copyrights and gets permission to use images and text?
• Use of stock images. A cost effective way to add photographs and graphics to your site.