However, here are some things to think about when hiring a website designer:

• Talk to some of their current and recent clients, to see how smooth the process was.

• Look at sites they've designed to see if you like their style.  Is there a certain feel to all their sites, or are they flexible in their designs?

• Ask them if they did the actual graphic and layout design of the site, or if they just did the programming.

• Ask them what they know about internet marketing and search engine optimization.  Be sure that they're creating a site for you that meets your larger goals.

• Ask the designer for their fees (expect to pay between $60 - $200 an hour, depending on their skill and their location), and what is the estimate of cost for the site you want.

• Ask them how they bill you.  Will they invoice you monthly, or will they invoice in another way?

• Pay attention to how much they ask you about YOUR BUSINESS.  They should want to get to know you and your business intimately. How else can they design a site that reflects you and your business, unless they spend time to get to know you?

• Pay attention to whether they'll try to stick within your budget, or whether they keep suggesting new add-ons that add to the cost of your site.

• Ask them whether they will maintain your site after the initial design, and how much they'll charge for that.  Some designers want to create new sites but don't want to maintain them.

• If you're going to maintain the site yourself, ask them if they'll design your site in a software package that's easy for YOU to use, like FrontPage.  Many professional website designers look down their noses at FrontPage or Macromedia Contribute, but guess what?  If you want to maintain your site yourself, then you have to use a software package that's easy for YOU to use, regardless of the website programmer's preferences.

• Do you LIKE the programmer?  Do you believe they'll act ethically?  Do you enjoy speaking with them?  Do they stay focused to the task at hand, or do they ramble and waste your time?  Do you feel you "click" with their personality and values?

Passion For Business does offer website design and maintenance work, but only for our business coaching clients.  I do not offer website design to people who just want to hire a programmer.  My goal is to help my clients create the best business possible, clients who realize that a website is just one piece of the bigger marketing picture.  I don't feel that I can offer the best service to clients who only want a site designed but don't want to talk about their larger vision for their business, or how their website can be integrated with all their marketing efforts.  In short, I offer a holistic website design service which always includes business coaching.