Guidelines for choosing a web site developer:

Quality of Web Sites
Probably the best way to evaluate a web site developer is to visit their designed web sites.  Look at the quality of the graphics, the download speed of each page, advanced features, and the overall user friendliness of the design. Go beyond the home page and see if the other pages are of the same quality as the home page. Go with your gut reaction. If you don't like what you see, chances are you won't be happy with the site they create for you either.

Contact References
What better way to learn about web site developer than asking past clients their opinion. Ask the developer to provide you with a list of references, and then call or email each client. Ask many questions. Was the client happy with the web site? Was the developer easy to work with? Did the developer understand and listen the client's needs? Reliability is a rare commodity in this field, so be sure to also ask if the designer was dependable and responsive.

First Impressions are Telling
Your initial contact with the designer should give you good clues on what it is like doing business with them. Did somebody answer the phone promptly when you called? If you left a message, did they return your call promptly? Was the representative friendly and helpful? If you are new to the Internet, did the representative take time to explain to you some of the issues involved in web design? Trust your instincts. If the developer doesn't bother to be courteous or promptly return your phone call, then expect more of the same when doing business with them.

Technological Expertise
It is important that you choose a web site developer that has enough technical expertise to meet both your near term AND long term goals. Web sites are now more sophisticated than ever, and many web designers are having a hard time keeping up with the rapid pace of technology. So, whether you need electronic commerce, search capabilities, or other advanced features, be sure that your web designer has enough know-how to offer you the best possible solution.