| Working with a web designer does not have to be | | | | question is "no." A designer who has your best |
| daunting if you know the right questions to ask. Since | | | | interest at heart will make it easy for you to edit the |
| you're the client, you should be free to ask any | | | | content in your website. |
| questions about your concerns. Your designer should | | | | 6. How do you update your knowledge about search |
| accommodate you and try his or her best to answer | | | | engine optimization? Make sure that your web |
| your questions. The following are ten questions you | | | | designer's knowledge is not obsolete. They should |
| should ask before you put your signature on a | | | | weekly update themselves with online resources |
| contract. | | | | about the latest trends in SEO. |
| 1. Do you design websites to meet web standards? | | | | 7. How do you design your layouts? Today's |
| Professional web designers know that the trend is | | | | standards include CSS for web design and XHTML for |
| moving towards web standards. You should look for | | | | semantic descriptions. |
| designers who assure you that they make valid | | | | 8. Do you use templates purchased online? The |
| XHTML and CSS codes. | | | | answer to this question should always be a |
| 2. What payment scheme do you require? This is a | | | | resounding "no." Tweaking the code for these |
| basic question to ask whenever working on any | | | | premade online templates is impossible, and you'll risk |
| project. Never pay the entire amount of the project | | | | having your website look like somebody else's. |
| upfront. This will not protect you if the designer | | | | 9. How do you host websites? Expert designers |
| doesn't deliver. Most web designers require a retainer | | | | usually have a dedicated server to assist them in |
| fee upon sign up. Full payment comes after project is | | | | developing applications. Web designers also host web |
| finished. | | | | sites using a shared hosting account or a Virtual |
| 3. How long have you been a web designer? While | | | | Private Server. For your security, opt for dedicated |
| you cannot discount that there are talented new | | | | server or at least a Virtual Private Server. |
| designers, you will be better off with someone who | | | | 10. Can you give me ideas on how to advertise my |
| has a proven track record of designing successful | | | | web site? This is the reason why you should choose |
| web sites. | | | | web designers who have been around in web |
| 4. Do you have an online portfolio or clients I can | | | | development for some time because they also have |
| interview? You should choose professional web | | | | ideas on how to market your website. |
| designers who can readily provide you with contact | | | | These questions should always be asked when you're |
| details of satisfied clients. Survey the work the web | | | | searching for the best web designer. You should be |
| designer has done in the past to see if these are to | | | | comfortable with all the answers or else, you'll risk |
| your liking. | | | | working with someone who will not make your foray |
| 5. Can I update the information on my website | | | | into online business a success. |
| easily? Steer clear of someone whose answer to this | | | | |