*Does The Listserver Protect The Privacy Of Your Customer Data?

Unfortunately, there are some programs out there that expose client details. Make sure yours keeps your list detail confidential.

*Does The Listserver Limit Size of Your List?

Some ASP services have a built-in ceiling of around 10,000 names/email addresses per account (if you have multiple lists, all names are included in this total). Many offer expansion options, at additional cost. Again, ask.

*Does Your Listserver Allow You To Do A Personalized/Customized Email Merge?

Some allow you to isolate first name for salutations, others personalize using both first and last.

*Does The Listserver Offer Ways To Filter Your Mailings?

Can you filter your list to send messages, for example, to only those in a certain state or region?

*Can You Easily Import And Export Your Database?

Does listserver have restrictions in way an exterior database can be imported? This is important especially for an offline business coming online, that may have an existing, computerized customer list. Some are more flexible than others.

*Can You Easily Monitor The Status Of Your List?

Can you monitor list size? Daily sign-ups? Determine number of recently unsubscribed? Determine status of an email broadcast?

Here are a few services to start your research - click on provided links to go to their sites and learn more:

Desktop's:

Corey Rudl's Mailloop http://www.marketingtips.com/mailloop .x/655541/

Infacta's GroupMail Plus http://www.shareasale.com/r.cfm?B=3937&U=50182&M=1465

MessageMedia MailKing http://www.mailking.com

Gammadyne Mailer http://www.gammadyne.com/mmail

ASP's:

AWeber (also has an autoresponder system) http://www.aweber.com/?67609

Autopilot Riches (also has an autoresponder system) http://www.autopilotriches.com/app/default.asp?pr=7&id=27041

SparkList's adaption of Lyris http://www.sparklist.com

MessageMedia's UnityMail http://www.unitymail.com

Email Factory http://www.emailfactory.com

Evaluate Experience

Has web design company created web sites similar to yours? Do they have relevant industry experience? As with any services company, choosing someone that has relevant experience. If you want to sell products through your web site and accept credit card payments, does web design company you are considering have experience doing just that?

Review Portfolio

A well established web design company will have a solid portfolio of web sites that they have created for other clients. Ask for links to other site design company has created and review each one. Do you like what you see? Do sites have a style that appeals to you? In addition to reviewing web sites, ask for customer references. Contact their clients and ask them about their experience with web design company. Were they happy with results? Did they get what they paid for? How much did they pay? Would they recommend them? How long did it take? What didn't they like about company? How responsive was company when they had questions?

Compare Prices

Pricing for creating a web site can vary. Typically, web design companies will charge one of three ways:

- Time and materials: price is variable based on actual number of hours spent working on your site. For example, a web design company may charge you $75 per hour. If it takes 100 hours to create your web site, your price would end up being $7,500. - Fixed Price: some design companies will charge you a fixed fee based on a fixed set of requirements. If you outline your requirements very carefully, many web design companies will quote you a single price. - Component Pricing: some design companies will charge "by page". By creating a price based on number of pages, you can control cost by designing a specific number of pages. Buyer beware: some design companies will charge by page but will have "special pricing" for components such as custom graphics, animated images, and like.

The most important step in pricing is to make sure potential design company outline all of prices associated with work and puts it all in writing. Never enter into a deal unless all of costs are well understood up front. Also make sure that you understand what "done" means. Try and structure payments such that a significant portion of fees (20%) are not due until you "accept" final web site. Include agreed-upon dates in your contract and provisions for what will happen if these dates are not met.

Solicit bids from multiple web design companies and compare both pricing models and prices themselves.

There are thousands of web designers across country and they should all fight feverously for your business! Be picky! If a web design company dismisses any of your questions regarding their design process, pricing, or client references, take your business elsewhere!