| I've heard many people say | | | | With extra code you can have Flash and large |
| "Anyone can build a website, there are so many build | | | | graphics for broadband and even text-only for 56k. |
| it yourself packages out there today." | | | | They are all your customers. |
| I usually laugh and respond | | | | - Accessibility - Are your stylesheets coded properly? |
| "True, but not everyone knows how to design | | | | Try out your website on a mobile phone, an audio |
| PROFESSIONAL web sites". | | | | browser or even print it out. Your customers don't |
| A professional website designer should know about: | | | | just use PC's to view your website. |
| - Check their work on a variety of browsers. | | | | You're the customer so you get the final say when |
| - Use images where appropriate not at random. | | | | choosing website features but a professional website |
| - Keep up-to-date with web standards. That's W3C | | | | designer should always offer alternatives and |
| XHTML and CSS. | | | | justifications to help you think outside the box. |
| - If they use animation such as Flash they offer a | | | | Afterall, your website design helps sell your business. |
| text alternative or an image in it's place if the | | | | It is your online presence. It reflects your products |
| viewer's browser does not have Flash or if the user | | | | and services. If your current website doesn't appear |
| does not want Flash. | | | | to meet some or all of the above criteria then speak |
| - Some users still have 56K. I've heard some web | | | | to a web design company about making changes or |
| designers say "It's their fault if they're too tight to | | | | additions. |
| get broadband internet". This is the wrong attitude. | | | | |