This post got us thinking about the booming DIY web design industry.

However, there are millions of people out there who have never heard of wordpress – so this post is for all those who are forced to consult a web designer but really don’t know where to start…

Very few businesses can survive these days without a website.

Unless you have such loyal customers or are in a niche so small you have no competitor the decision to have a site is a no brainer.

Unfortunately, web designers are everywhere and the technology is relatively cheap and accessible that you need to be o your guard.

Here are a few things to watch out for.

1. What do you want the site to do?

What is the purpose of the site? How will it help your business?

The web designer will design a site but will it make your customers pick up the phone or contact you.

Does the designer understand marketing?

Remember, it is you who is paying the bill. Therefore, you have the final say on what is in and what is out.

The job of the site is to sell for you right?

NOT for the designer to put in their portfolio and impress their designer buddies on how smart they are.

2. Who will actually own the end product?

Unscrupulous designers may sign you up to a contract where they lock you in. You may find a nasty surprise if you ever want to move to a different designer.

3. Do they own the rights to the artwork they use?

Photographs, video and sound should be licensed for commercial use.

Sites like Flickr are easy to use and make everyone a photographer these days. You need to make sure that the

You don’t really want a legal battle on your hands because the designer didn’t have the relevant permissions.

4. Manage the site building like a project

Depending on how you are paying the designer and how complex the project is, you need to build in time for testing, building content, those annoying but required pages like “terms of service” and “privacy”

Agree deadlines and deliverables in writing and in advance.

5. Who owns the domain name and where is it hosted?

Who owns the domain name – the www bit.

It’s fine letting someone buy a domain on your behalf but if they vanish without a trace – you have a problem if they registered it in their name.

If you are not sure check nominet.org.uk for .co.uk and whois.sc for everything else.

Free hosting is good but if it at the expense of popup ads, banner ads, prolonged downtime – then it isn’t so good.

What do you think ?

Have you employed a webdesigner?

Have you had any experiences?

We would love to hear your comments below.