"You're interviewing a designer to work for you! Submit a request for proposal from several web designers to find the right match for your needs."
There is a reason you are reading this now. You are seeking to establish a solid web presence. Every day websites go live on the Internet, and a large number of them are businesses. The focus of this article will be business orientated, for online businesses. However, the approach we take and discuss can be used for about any web presence.
We will assume you already have a business plan, scoped out your competition, developed a marketing strategy, and know your target audience. If you have not done these yet, you should not be looking to go online just yet.
Finding a Website Designer or Developer
Web designers "grow on trees"! This is almost true. If all web designers had physical places of business, finding the right web developer would be as easy as walking down your street. However, since they don't, we have to go searching online.
Let us first make clear that many web companies are home based. This is not a bad thing, but something to consider when you employ someone to build your presence. Regardless where they are, you want to be sure they know what they are doing... right?
Let's Get Started
Some may prefer seeking a website developer in their area or one that is close within their state. Locating a web developer in your own state may be better for those uncomfortable with doing business over the phone or through email.
Most people know how to use a search engine to find the things they want. The following will help you find a local website developer and also demonstrate how to assess a website designer or developer. Start your search by going to Google.com. This search engine produces quality search results used by other engines such as Yahoo, Netscape, etc.
Enter a keyword search for a local developer with this example: "Alaska website designers" or "Alaska business marketing online".
The top 10 search results should show you promising companies to consider employing. Why only the top 10? These are the companies website design and strategic search engine placement. These web development companies did not get to the top 10 search results by accident or only because of their website design.
These web development companies get these top positions by simply employing their own methods of search engine promotion on their own website. Google also values these companies as a valuable search result and thus places them at the top.
Why does this matter to you? This is important because you also want them to apply the same methodologies to your site. Being found is really important! This will be discussed later in this article, but for now this should support why the top 10 results weigh importantly on selection of your web developer.
Anyone you hire you want to be sure they know what they are doing. Perhaps you can't afford a high end web developer, here is a simple solution. Employ consultation services from a professional web development company. This may save you money down the road and help in choosing a website designer or developer.
If you are operating on a bare bones budget, find yourself a chair at your local library or bookstore and do some research. After all, you are not always going to get someone who makes web development terminology simple; you have to prepare yourself.
Web Development Services
A developer should have knowledge in site design, architecture, good navigation methodologies, and understanding of search engine optimization.
Programming Services
Your programmer must be fluent in or with the languages such as validated HTML 4.01, and Cascading Style Sheets (CSS). Site optimization is very important when programming these languages.
You want to be sure your site functions correctly with most computer platforms such as Macintosh and Windows and their supported applications. Example: a Windows 98 user should see your site about the same as the Windows XP user. The same applies for Macintosh operating system platforms.
The above services are very important to your site's success with the search engines and being found. If none of these qualifications are met your site won't do as well online. Site errors can result in your site not being indexed or even being improperly viewed.
Web Hosting Services
Hosting is a server that is tied to a world wide network in which people can view your website. It is important your website developer has some strategic knowledge of what server is best for you.
Examples include: Does a shared IP work for you, or do you need your own dedicated IP address? Maybe you need a dedicated server? Should it be hosted on Windows server or Unix? What security do you need?
If your web developer offers hosting make sure they are not a reseller. If they are a reseller, host directly with their company not through your developer. The more control you have over your web site hosting the better! We have had clients who lost contact with their developer - which resulted in tremendous hardship to gain server access.
Websites and Search Engine Optimization
It is not required, but a smart move on your part. A site should at the least be developed to include basic search engine optimization. The goal here is to design with the basic optimization methodologies in place so that your site promotes well in the search engines. Sometimes basic search engine optimization is all it takes to get you a good place in the engines. Later when you want to expand your online marketing and/or increase search engine ranking, these methods can be implemented easily, therefore saving you money. This is something to think about for the long term.
Building a strong web presence is key to your online success.