SmallBizResource Blog -- Business Know-How

Five Tips For Finding A Web Developer

Posted by Janet Attard, Courtesy of Business Know-How Thursday, Aug 28, 2008, 08:15 AM ET

You want your Web site to look professional. To make prospects want to call you or place an order online. To be found by search engines.

But before any of that can happen, you must first find a Web developer who will get your site built quickly, professionally and at a reasonable cost.

Here are several suggestions.

1. Talk to other business owners whose Web sites you like and get the contact information for the companies that created those sites. Ask the site owners if they were satisfied with all aspects of the work and service, and what they paid to have the site built. (If they won't tell you the price, ask if they have any idea how much you should budget.)

2. Make a list of Web sites that you find attractive, along with their URLs and what it is about these sites you like. It could be the color scheme, that it's easy to navigate, or the type of artwork or photos used. This list will help your Web developer get an idea of your tastes and preferences.

3. When you see sites you like, look toward the bottom of the pages to see if the name of the development company is listed. If so, contact the companies whose work you like.

4. You may also need to engage with a professional writer to create your editorial content. The purpose of your Web site is to market your business, and Web developers usually just design and program sites. They don't write marketing copy. (If they do write copy, they usually don't write particularly good marketing copy.)

5. Be sure you sign a contract that spells out all the details you have discussed with the developer. Be sure the contract gives you full copyright ownership of your site and the work done for you so that if you decide to change Web developers or hosting companies at any time in the future, you will be able to do so without having to have your site re-created. The copyright ownership must be written into the contract. Otherwise, under copyright law, the developer may own the work they created for you.

Now that you know how to find a Web developer, the next step is knowing how to maximize the relationship to get the Web site you want. For nine additional tips on working well with your Web developer, click here.

Business Know-How