How to choose a website developer

This article will inform you about different terms you should be aware of when looking for a website developer. I will also equip you with some simple questions that you can ask up front. This article may not be necessary if you are working with a large website development company, however if you are working with an individual (which can save a lot of money) read on.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

1. First question to ask. Does your website developer know about the W3C and how to meet their standards? The W3C is the World Wide Web Consortium and was created in October 1994. The purpose of this group is to develop common protocols that ensure interoperability. Basically, they set the standard for code that the developer should look to in order for you site to be accessible and up to date.
2. How does your website developer check for browser compatibility? What looks good on my MAC using Firefox, may not look good on your PC using IE 6.0.
3. Does your website developer depend on some kind of software to develop your website or do they understand the coding process? While using software is fine, the only true way to create a functioning website is to understand code. Your website developer should understand xhtml and CSS.
4. What does the website developer know about SEO? SEO is Search Engine Optimization or "getting your website found on the search engines." This process takes research and patience - unless you have tons of money for pay per clicks. I would say that your developer does not need to be an expert on the subject however make sure they understand the way the search engines read a website and how to set it up for SEO. If SEO is a big deal to you, you may consider setting aside some advertising funds for this purpose.
5. How long will it take? The time frame to develop a website varies and all depends on the content and how fast the client can supply it to the developer. Use a developer that is professional enough to supply you with a service agreement that states the expected time of completion. This will lay out the expectations of both parties and eliminate frustration in the end.
6. Find out if the person you are talking to is actually the one doing the work. It could be very frustrating to find out that you are working with a middle person that does not actually know about design and development of a website, and can not answer your questions on the spot.

Tips & Warnings

• Don't be afraid to compare pricing
• Ask for references
• More in-depth article at: http://www.kperspectives.com/developer_faqs.html