When working with a designer, the first step is to have a complimentary discovery call in which they will ask quality questions about your business goals, your vision, and your project. Your site has a "job" to do, and proper website development starts from the perspective of what you need your site to accomplish for your business specifically and uses that as the foundation for other decisions. 

Your web designer should have expertise and share their ideas to help you achieve your business goals on your discovery call. You should have "lightbulb" moments that help you see your website differently. After all, your site is like having a 24 hour marketing assistant on your team. It should work hard for you and not the other way around. It's an investment, not a cost.

You definitely want to work with a web designer that has a solid understand of branding and marketing. There is a great deal of expertise and skill that goes into building a website and you want to work with someone who understands digital marketing and branding. This will ensure you have a site that is developed to convert visitors into clients. 

Your web designer should have solid referrals and testimonials that speak to the quality of their work and customer service. Designing a website a a very large project. It demands many skills, requiring someone who is more than just technically savvy or an amazing designer. You will want to do your homework and be sure that their past clients recommend working with them.

Your web designer should most definitely have an agreement or contract that they draw up for you detailing what is included in your project as well as other details about the project. This is very important. Be very wary of a developer that does not have a contract. When going over your contract, make sure you understand it and ask questions if you don’t. There have been many clients of ours that had previously spent thousands on their website only to find out they don’t own it or the web designer holds them hostage if they stop paying them. Read the fine print carefully.

Of course you will want to look at your web designer's previous work. It’s important to trust that your designer can deliver the design and functionality your business needs. If you have other features you need that you do not see in their current designs, be sure to ask them if they can create what you need. In most cases they can. So, again, do your homework.

It’s great to work with a web designer that offers ongoing website maintenance. This means they are there for you and have a desire to continue working with you. You may have edits you can’t do on your own, or you may want to add a page when you add additional services. You’ll want to work with someone who will have either an ongoing service that you can pay a monthly fee for or at least the ability to hire them when you need them. The truth is your website should never really be done. It’s a marketing vehicle that you should always want to be improving.