Choosing the best database designers

Hiring a database designer can be challenge for many small businesses: if you're not a database expert yourself, it can be hard to evaluate the individuals and firms you'll meet. The best database designers focus on making sure you understand what your business needs are and translating those into the final product.

The most effective way to a successful database project is to be clear about your goals from the start. Knowing that you need a sales database, or a database to track customer orders and inventory, is not enough: before you even talk to a single designer, create a basic outline of what you need:

• Who will use the database? Where are they located?
• What information does it need to contain?
• What other systems does it need to connect to?
• What security considerations are involved?
• How much information will you be adding?  (How quickly will it grow?)
• What types of actions will users need to perform? Edits, approvals, sorting?
• What kinds of reports will you need? How customizable will they have to be?

A detailed plan will help you find the best database designer for your project.

How to find the best database designers
After you decide what you're looking for, you're ready to start evaluating database designers. One easy way to find candidates is to use BuyerZone's free request for database design quotes service – we'll put you in touch with up to six experienced designers in your area.

Once you have several database designers on your radar, prepare for interviews. It's usually best to conduct in-person interviews: you'll be working closely with the designer and you want to make sure you choose someone you feel comfortable with.

The best database designers emphasize communication. When you talk to potential designers, pay attention to how they describe their process and how they will communicate to you during the development phases.

Some questions to ask during your interviews:

• Have you created databases for other businesses like mine?
• How quickly can you respond if the database has a problem?
• What database programs do you work with?
• Will we be able to make changes to the database code if we need to?
• Do you provide training for employees who will use the database?

The answers to these questions can help you determine which company is the best database designer for your project.

Finally, while price shouldn't be the primary deciding factor, it is another important consideration. Instead of just looking at the bottom line, though, compare what goes into each estimate. Look for charges that are included in some proposals and omitted in others as an indication of what types of charges might pop up later.

Don't be hesitant to go back for clarification, either. The best database designers will provide detailed estimates that outline your total costs and will be happy to provide more detail.

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