If you aren't so keen on developing your own website, there is always the option of having a web developer create a website for you and if you have money to spend then this is definitely the way to go. If you do go down this route, here are a few tips and questions to ask:

What websites have you developed?

Ask for "live" examples of websites i.e. they are currently available on the internet for you to peruse.

Ask for the website developer's credentials and specialities:

• Are you a website developer i.e. could you code custom elements of the website for me? Have an example in mind when you ask this question.
• Are you a website designer? Can I see examples of websites you have designed that have a great look and feel, and navigation?
• Do you have website marketing experience? Can you give me examples where you have re-designed websites that increase the customer's search ranking?

There are generally three types of people who develop websites:

1. Website Designers – concentrate on the look and feel of the website i.e. they make it look good and easy to navigate
2. Website Developers – develop the code for your website and can create very highly customised features and tools for your website
3. Website Marketers – develop websites by employing search engine optimisation and search engine marketing techniques

These three 'types' aren't exclusive – a website developer can also be a great designer and marketer. A combination of all three skills is the best choice: it means you will get a great looking website, which can be highly customised if necessary, and which gets you found on the internet.

A good company will have all three skills inhouse.

What techniques will you employ for SEO when you are developing the website?

All websites should have some standard SEO features built in. For example: website links that are descriptive e.g. http://www.mycompany.com/ebook instead of http://www.mycompany.com/index/4856252957.

How easy is it for me to update the content?

The systems website developers use will vary – they might code websites themselves from scratch, they might use a template system or they might use a content management system. The latter will generally will generally allow you to manage your own website content without buying additional website management software or always going back to the website developer to have updates made.

How scalable is the website?

There are a number of website developers that will offer to create you a website based on template systems that allow 5, 10 or 15 pages and they charge you a simple monthly fee or as little as $300 to develop the website. However, they may only have the skills to provide this style of website and once your business grows, you will need to employ a new website developer to e.g. redevelop it into an eCommerce website.

Although it is completely viable to start with one of these basic template systems (especially if you are low on cash) just be aware you will go through additional work later to get everything transferred over to a new system once you outgrow it. The other negative is that these template systems are typically very restrictive in how they can be structured and their overall look and feel can be particularly uninspiring to your website visitors if the website designer doesn't have a good eye for design.

The other key consideration with these types of packages is the inclusion of SEO and SEM services - if they are just building you a 'brochure' with no interactivity or refinement for search engines the website will essentially be an unmeasurable white elephant.

What pricing do you charge and how many web pages does that include?

Make sure you get multiple quotes – don't just go with the first website developer you talk to - and compare apples for apples. For a simple 5-15 page website you could get quotes ranging anywhere from $500 - $2000. For an eCommerce site, expect to pay $2000+.

Also ask the website developer if they create the graphics for the website or whether you will need to get a graphic designer to do it for you and take into consideration the additional cost of graphic design in your budget.

What process do you go through to develop a new website?

Listen out for a broad process like:

"We first discuss your website goals and conduct some market research e.g. we find out what your competitors are doing and what key words they are using. Then we help you define what content should be on the website and layout the navigational structure and key words. We build your website taking note of your business goals, your current and future requirements and SEO/SEM. We can also help you with researching and linking with other businesses/websites that will compliment your content and raise your search ranking. We'll define where and how we can promote your website (e.g. article directories, pay per click advertising, search engine submission) once it is launched. We'll put all of this is a brief project plan to show you the timelines for research, development and marketing. After the website is developed, we will work with you to keep the website maintained and up to date with the latest software and security patches and SEO and SEM techniques".

Of course the process will differ depending on your budget but that gives you an overall guide.