How to Find an eCommerce Web Designer

So, you want to sell something online and you have limited website knowledge? You need some help with the design,layout,and shopping aspects? I made every known mistake in finding a designer for my e-commerce website, I feel qualified to help others avoid some of the pitfalls!

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• A couple of minutes of your time.

1. Our Website Front Page Look at as many web sites selling products similar to yours and make a list of all the things you like about them. Look at big commercial sites as well as small home spun sites. Draw pictures of what your front page & subsequent pages could look like.
2. Develop a budget of how much you are able to spend on the website. You can spend as little as $1000 or as much as $25,000. In addition, allow for ongoing costs: hosting, site upgrades, site optimization, etc.
3. Bad sign: you see your web designer's name here: www.complaintsboard.com Interview several designers who live less than one hour from you whom you can meet. Why? My second web designer I chose was in Utah, after two months of virtually no work accomplished, I pulled the plug. They went bankrupt a month later taking many people's money with them. Check out the eCommerce web sites they built and ask to speak with their clients. Ask them how easy they were to work with & any difficulties they had.
4. Peace, Love, and a Good Website Journey! When you meet, see if the web designer understands your vision. Clearly explain your timeline, expectations for completion, and what your budget is. Ask the designer to send a rough layout of your front page to see if you are on the same page BEFORE YOU SIGN A CONTRACT.

Tips & Warnings

• Spend time discussing your shopping cart software & what the designer has used. Feel comfortable with it? Remember, it's your site.
• Make sure your designer is available for 911 emergencies!
• Based entirely on my experience only.