Hiring Web Developers: What to Know
1. Basing your Decision on Price Alone
Price is always an important factor when choosing any product or service. For
those who are not familiar with web design companies and don’t know what
questions to ask, often the default is to choose the lowest bidder and this could
be a serious error. Web developers who quote low prices are usually taking some
kind of short cut in their development. Some shortcuts are the omission of
statistics or the use of template style designs. Once your site is completed you
may notice new sites popping up in your community designed by that developer
with the same template. In the end, you need to evaluate the price/ performance
proposition and ask yourself if you really want the lowest bidder building what
could be your most visible marketing tool.
2. Get Someone who can Provide Ongoing Support
Many businesss web sites contain information or material that is incorrect,
obsolete, or just plain out of date. Some web developers will move onto their next
project and forget about your sites existence leaving you with no human support
for future changes. Be sure that your web developer will look after all aspects of
your website; a single call or email is all you should have to do to get what you
need.
3. Don’t Underestimate the Power of Statistics
Make sure your web developer will provide you with detailed, real-time web
statistics. Some developers may provide basic hit counters, or worse, no statistics
at all. As the owner of the web site you need to see your web sites statistics to
measure its effectiveness and make changes as necessary. Be sure that you have
access to traffic, and detailed statistical information. Knowing which pages on
your site get the most visits, how long visitors spend on each, which search
engine sent them to you and where they can from are just a few of the tools that
will enable you to periodically fine tune your web site for better results. You
wouldnt drive your car without a dash board – dont try it with your web site
either.
4. Insist on Formal Training and Experience
Your developer needs to understand design aspects and accessibility issues. This
comes directly from having proper experience and training. Ensure they have the
required knowledge of web programming to build custom applications from basic
to advanced as your business grows. Database security and integration is

essential when storing sensitive information on your website. Your developer
should always keep up-to-date with upcoming technologies and programs.
5. Overlooking the Possible Need for Scalability
One major downfall of sites created by amateurs is the lack of scalability. At some
point youll need new features added to your site. Not only will it make your site
more profitable, but it will make your job, and your staff members jobs less time
consuming as you begin automating tasks within a web environment. When the
time comes to expand, your site will need to be scrapped and a new one created.
This is one of those pay me now or pay me later situations.
6. Mistaking a Directory Listing for a Web Presence
Many business owners have a vague understanding of the Internet and how it
works. Web directory listings may seem like an appealing, inexpensive solution to
business owners who are not familiar with Internet marketing. A web directory
listing is a web page within a larger web site. Capabilities on a directory listing
site is minimal if any. Some will provide only basic company information and not
much beyond that. Future development would be nearly impossible without
switching to a real web developer. Any business trying to promote a successful
image needs to have a customized professional web site with a unique domain
name – www.yourcompany.com.
7. Be Sure You Can Pick Up and Move if You Want
Some web designers lock you in with them for the duration of your site. They may
actually hold the rights to your domain name (www.yourcompany.com), which
means if you ever decide to move, you cant take your name with you because it
doesnt belong to you. This is ethically and morally wrong. Always retain the rights
to your domain name and have access to your registration information. If you
dont take the necessary precautions at the start, it may cost you down the line as
your site grows in popularity while youre stuck with a designer that has limited
abilities.
8. You Should Need Only One Number to Call For Any Problem
Having a web design company who will look after all aspects of your website will
save you time, money and headaches. If you have any problems its best to have
one number to call for a solution and only one number. It is very easy for a
developer to say oh no - thats not my problem, you need to talk to your web
host, or your internet service provider, or your domain registrar . Have a single
person who knows what they are doing and willing to be accountable and solve
your problem, even if they need to deal with a third party regarding the issue. At

least you know you will be looked after with only one phone call on your part.
If you want to know more about Software Developers then feel free to visit A-1
Technology
Article Source: Easy Ezine Articles