Article

Before You Hire A Web Site Designer

By: Cinnamon Roberts, President

Congratulations! Having your business on the internet is definitely the gateway to expanding and maintaining your customers. The income of companies online is in record numbers. And for a good reason. Consumers now have unlimited options for purchasing goods and services. Global options. Whether comparing prices, researching an item, or just browsing virtual storefronts, online consumers are changing the way businesses do business.

Should you consider an online presence?
The answer is most likely yes. Consumers are now internet savvy, researching prices, e-mailing questions, and establishing relationships with businesses online. Whether your site is a grand virtual reality mall or a bare-bones informative synopsis of services, your business will now be accessible twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. Add the fact that your customer can receive your information from the comfort of their own home, snuggled in a bathrobe, while wearing bunny slippers and boom! You're in business! Even if you have an established loyal customer base, having your business more accessible increases your potential.

Can I design my own site?
Again, the answer is yes. There are two options for this. You can purchase software that can do some of the work, but unless you know HTML (Hyper-text Markup Language), XHTML (Extended Hypertext Markup Language), and the basics of Perl, you will produce a mediocre site, at best, which will not be viewable by all browsers, and will be outdated or inaccessible within a year.

Your second option is to take courses in HTML, Perl, and XHTML, and learn how to create your own website. If you are wanting a bare-bones site, this is a good option. You can produce a site you will be happy with in about 6 months. If you don't have the time, hire a designer.

What do I look for in a designer?
The following is a list that will assist you greatly in hiring a web site designer.

Browse the internet for sites that catch your eye. You might find one that is designed by a company in your area. If not, make a list of the url's of the sites you liked. When you talk to designers you can show them your preferences.
When you find a local designer, view their web site. They should automatically list websites they have developed. Keep in mind, however, that the customer they have designed the site for might have wanted something you find deplorable.
Don't be misled by animations, eye-candy, and the latest technology. Unless the site is for an arcade, the main emphasis is on information.
Ask questions. Any company should return e-mail questions. If they offer a free consultation, take it. Don't be afraid of sizing them up. They should answer questions within a day or two and offer good service.
Find out if your site will be accessible to different browsers. If you want a site that features the newest technology, this may cost you a bit more, but may be worth the price. You should also find out if the designer provides text-only alternatives. Sites designed in this way are accessible to all browsers including those utilized by the blind and other special populations.
If the designer works for an online company that hosts your site, find out if they guarantee your site will be up at least 95% of the time. If not, look somewhere else.
If your designer does not work for a specific company, you need to ask how your site will be hosted. If you already have internet access, chances are you can host your site with the account you already have. Most people do not know this and pay for someone else to host their site. You can also host on a free-site, which your designer should be able to tell you about.
Tell the designer what you want and show examples if possible. Ask what type of technology they will utilize to produce an interactive professional site. Not all designers are knowledgable in different aspects of design. Ask about java, javascript, HTML, XHTML, perl, and cgi. Even if YOU don't know what these are, they should.
Lastly, compare prices. Don't go with the cheapest company just because they are affordable. Similarly, don't choose the most expensive because they "should" be the best.

Whoever you choose to design your site, we wish you the best. Of course we could not end this article without asking you to investigate ArizonaCommunity.com.