Choosing the best web site designers

To many customers and clients, your web site is the first and often the most visible aspect of your company. Because of this, it's important to have a site that portrays your business well and provides all the information visitors expect. The best web site designers can create a high-quality site with a professional look – without breaking the bank. Here's how to find them.

Start by being clear about what you want. A simple site with a few basic information pages? An interactive site that lets visitors comment, download audio or video, or get detailed product information? Or an e-commerce site that allows online transactions?

It's also important to decide how you want to handle ongoing management of the site once it's live. The best web site designers will create a site that you can manage the way you want: you might have an employee who can handle basic text updates, or you might want to have the designer handle an hour or two of updates every month.

How to find the best web site designers
After you decide what you're looking for, you're ready to start evaluating web site designers. One easy way to find candidates is to use BuyerZone's free request for web site design quotes service – we'll put you in touch with 4 to 6 experienced designers in your area. You can also find web sites you like and look for contact information for the sites' designers.

After you get several designers lined up, spend some time looking at their online portfolios. Make sure they have a good range of sites, from the basic to the more intricate, and that the sites represent a wide range of industries. Then schedule face-to-face meetings: you'll want to make sure the designer you choose is someone you're comfortable working with.

Some questions to ask during your interviews:

• Have you created web sites for other businesses like mine?
• What's the most important aspect of a web site? (There are plenty of answers, but "The look" is not one of them)
• Do you host the web site, or use a third-party hosting service?
• What services do you provide: image creation, content help, ongoing updates, statistics reporting?
• How quickly can you respond if the site goes down?

The answers to these questions can help you determine which company is the best web site designer for your project. Note that if you do need e-commerce services, your approach should be the same, but there are some different considerations. Read more about choosing the best e-commerce developers.

Or, submit a free request for web site design quotes in your area.