When considering whether or not to work with a web designer, first take close look at the company’s or designer’s portfolio. It’s important that you like the looks of websites they’ve made in the past. If you don’t like their work, it’s simple: Don’t call them.

Try to make a list of a few designers or firms whose work you like. Then, set up time to talk to them. During your discussions, the most important thing to find out is whether they are knowledgeable about marketing.

There are thousands of graphic artists who will be perfectly happy to make you a website, and there are tons of programmers who will do the same. But only rarely will they be able to make a site that is effective for your business. If you want to have the best possible website, what you need is a digital strategist.

How do you know if a designer you’re considering is also a digital strategist? First, inquire into their development process. If their process doesn’t have a “Discovery” stage-i.e., a stage in which they schedule time with you to discuss strategies and goals-then it’s probably best to walk away from that designer.

In short, the development process should include several stages:

1)      Discovery

2)      Information architecture

3)      Graphical user interface

4)      Design

5)      Programming and testing

Do the designers seem like they plan to simply make a pretty site for you without first consulting you about your specific needs? If they’re not going to involve you in the process, there’s a good chance you’ll be wasting your money on a nice-looking but ineffective site.

Also, it’s extremely important that your web designer will be handing the PSD files over to you. The PSD files will allow another graphic artist to make changes to the design (if needed). If they’re unwilling to commit to this, run!

Other things to consider: