Here are seven real-world questions any new business owner should ask a prospective web designer. Based on their answers you can compare each company on a more equal basis, decreasing your search time and increasing time you need to spend building your business.

Do they offer domain name registration & web hosting with their packages?

Do they promote your website once it's built?

Do their package prices include maintenance fees?

Can you make alterations/updates to website on your own?

Do they handle product sales transactions? (Ecommerce sites)

How long is your contract?

Can you see previous work that has been done?

Getting answers to these questions will get you on way to choosing a web designer who can handle your web and total business needs.

Does event encourage personal networking? - The event that I recently attended was very open to networking amongst all who attended festival. Check out any volunteering rules or limitations for your event or ask person whom you report to is it okay to network, if your unsure. You don't want to create a situation where you're not asked to come back next year, or more importantly, to any other affiliated events, because you were all over panelists.

Make sure you have an interest in event other than your business. - This is more like a statement because I worked my butt off this weekend for film festival and I made sure that my duties were taken care of before I facilitated any networking. If you don't handle your primary volunteering responsibilities, word may travel about it and you don't want negative press about you passing throughout festival. Also, if you're doing a good job, you stand a better chance on getting introduced to right people who may be able to help your business in ways you may have never even thought of.

Are you ready to follow-up on all your new contacts? - If you're volunteering for a particular event and are at right places, at right time, you will have at least 10 new contacts to follow up on after event. This follow up is crucial and should occur with 1-2 days after event is over. The whole point is to increase awareness of your business and begin relationships. Sending an email to remind person of who you are and why you may be able to help one another will place you one step closer to your goals.

Volunteering can be a very productive and fulfilling method of advertising because not only did I get a chance to participate in an historic event with some of most creative independent filmmakers, I also got a chance to meet some great new people and share information about myself and business. And those relationships that I've made I plan to foster them into something great. You can do same too, so do it!