So, you want a website, but are you ready for one?

Okay, so you have a business, you're gonna need a website, right? The question is, Do you really want to pay for a website designed by a professional? Professionals aren't cheap. They purchase the latest software for web/graphic design, which costs them THOUSANDS of dollars. They learn to deal with uniformed people on a regular basis that say things like, "How did that take 2 hours, my sister says she could have done that in 2 minutes?"

Tip 1:
Get your sister to do your website if you aren't comfortable paying a graphic/web designer $100+/hour. This is what they charge. Anyone doing it for less hasn't been doing it long enough to deliver everything you want and once they figure out that they are undercharging you (and they will), you will be shocked when you go back for edits.

Tip 2:
Sign a contract, know if your designer gives you rights to the native files, know if your designer gets paid even if you decide not to use their design, protect yourself and your designer.

Tip 3:
Trust the expertise of your designer, some of the ugliest designs out there are because the client got too involved.

Tip 4:
Trust the expertise of your designer, unless you know all about computers, the internet, programming, designing, etc., expect that sometimes unexpected things happen with servers, files, programs, downloads, uploads, glitches, errors, you will be charged for it if it isn't the designers fault. When they spend time fixing something of yours, you pay for it, even if it is not directly related to your project. If they have to drive and talk to your printer, if your file is corrupted and they have to ask your previous designer for a new copy, the clock is ticking.

Tip 5:
Remember, this is your designer's job, this is how they eat, feed their families, put gas in their cars. Don't be cheap or not pay on time, they need a paycheck every two weeks, just like you.

Tip 6:
Know what you want, look around at other websites, send a couple links to your designer, this helps them know what you really want, not what you say you want.

Tip 7:
Yes, you want flash on your website, because it is pretty and moving around, expect to pay for it.

Tip 8:
Designers have families and lives, don't call at 9pm on a Friday evening, unless otherwise stated.

Tip 9:
Be realistic. Think about what you need, first. Do the basics. Content drives a site, not a flashy design. Look at Craigslist. Simple, to the point, and very successful.

Tip 10:
Get your content to your designer ASAP. Don't make a designer wait a month to get going on your site because you can't get your act together. Be ready to launch a website, if you are just thinking "yeah, that would be cool to have a website"...wait...wait...wait...and when you are sure of all the details about your business, then call.

Tip 11:
Don't ask a designer to teach you how to do it, they have classes for that, and they cost THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS and a week out of a designer's life.

Tip 12:
NO, A DESIGNER CAN'T GIVE YOU A 20+ PAGE FLAWLESS WEBSITE IN 2 WEEKS that includes Javascript, PHP and Flash! A front page of it, maybe, depending on the complexity. And NO, THEY WILL NOT DO IT FOR $250.

Tip 13:
If you're on a budget buy a consumer web program and learn it, it would be cheaper for you in the short term until you really need a professionally-designed and coded website.

Tip 14:
If you're a company that can, hire a web developer/graphic designer full time, it's more economical for the amount of work you can get out a someone in 8 hours. A designer will work for $15-25/hour at a job if they are given benefits and regular paycheck. Otherwise, they have to pay our own taxes, health insurance and save money like a 401(k). Also, Graphic/Web developers are handy around a technically-challenged office.

Tip 15:
And finally, if you like your designer, they did a good job, they acted professionally, pass out their card to people who need a website. Referrals are greatly appreciated.