If you're a smaller business and would like to have a website it is likely that you'll need the services of a web designer. Below are some useful tips and suggestions that you should take into consideration when choosing the right web designer for your small business' website. A few crucial things you need to be aware of prior to choosing a designer are listed below:

1. Cost

Grandma of them all in the sense of getting a site built. However, all is not as it appears. Web design and development is an uneasy area in terms of what it costs to build a website. It's quite possible in the modern marketplace to get two quotes for the same project, with prices that differ by thousands pounds. For instance, if you were buying a physical product, the cost may vary between buying directly from the company or a local retailer, but it would not be quite as drastic as this.

The first piece of advice I'm going to say is that the lowest cost isn't always the best. If someone offers you 100 to build an entire website for e-commerce that integrates with Twitter and Facebook and full management of content, then alarm bells should be ringing in your mind. Be wary of businesses that are charging outrageous amounts. Take a few quotations and consider the middle point. Then take into account the four other considerations listed below.

Ideally, you should find a breakdown of all the elements that make up the price. Most designers and developers will provide a set price for the project based upon a set scope prior to starting the project.

2. Location

The use of a local designer is not essential however it is advantageous. It's a great idea to talk with the website designer on a personal basis, write down concepts on paper and get a feel for their capacity to meet your needs. From the standpoint of a designer visiting to your premises allows us to feel the "vibe" of your business. We observe your services as well as your clients, and get a feel for the different styles of design used in the industry. The website, after all, should match the overall brand.

3. Content Management

Since the beginning, website developers have earned money from maintaining websites throughout their lifecycle. I've encountered many clients who pay by the pound for small modifications to their websites. I know of a client who put over $200 a month with a previous designer for just adding text and a few images every month.

Anyone who is a competent designer or developer is advised to implement an effective system for managing content right from the start of the entire project. We have a great Cpanel for all our packages.

4. Previous work and recommendations

Designers and developers are best judged by the quality of their previous work and their relationships with clients. Thus, any website of a developer must have a solid portfolio that includes images, links to live sites as well as client feedback.

5. Timescales

Timescales are important to both the customer and to the designer. Any good designer should be able to give you an idea of the timescales. As a user, you must be aware that these timescales depend on you to a significant degree. Even the top web designers aren't able to and shouldn't be creating content for your website. They don't know your business as well as you do. Advice on timeframes between you and the Web designer to make sure that both of you know what to do. Adopt this agreement in writing (by email) in order to can keep track of this "project plan".

The above questions are not exhaustive, however, from my years of experience in this business, I'd say that if you answer these concerns, the selection process for a website designer is less fraught by confusion and uncertainty.