Regardless whether you manage a small business, charitable organization, or Fortune 500 company, choosing right web design firm can quickly become a full-time research project. With thousands of design firms to choose from, what factors truly determine which design firm is best for your business?

The primary considerations for choosing a web design firm are:

* Price * Customer service/access to support * Credibility indicators of design firm * Portfolio and design experience * Other services offered (domain renewal, hosting, SEO) * Turnaround time

Let’s take a closer look at each consideration in detail, and explore how to identify and qualify right design firm.

Price

Like many products and services we purchase, both personally and professionally, deciding on a web design firm can often come down to price. But value of services rendered is really what’s important. A $200 web site usually turns out to look, feel and perform like a $200 web site.

The price of your site’s development will depend on three factors: features of site, amount of content, and service options included with design package, such as hosting.

Because pricing varies by firm, here are several principles to use when determining validity and value of a web design quote:

* Does quote state one all-inclusive price for entire project? * Is there a reoccurring monthly fee for hosting? * Is site custom-built, or is it customization of an existing template? * Is there a separate fee for content development, such as writing sales copy? * Is domain registration/management included in package? * Will firm provide multiple design concepts, prior to actual development?

It’s important to compare quotes from at least three firms to, determine value of services offered. Looking for best value is important in a competitive service market.

Customer Service

There’s nothing worse than signing with a firm that offers a great product, only to find out they are impossible to contact. Consistent, open contact with your web design firm is important for ensuring success before, during, and after your web site is developed.

Throughout design process, you may identify text, photos, or contact information you’d like to change before site goes live. If you have immediate questions regarding your site’s development, you’ll be glad to have immediate contact with customer support staff by e-mail, telephone, or live chat.

If you are limited to e-mail technical support, consider other firms that offer a wider range of customer service options such as telephone and live chat support. E-mail is great for convenience – when it’s convenient.

Credibility Indicators

You're faced with decision of between a freebie HTML editor (not good) and a mini-site maker that screams, " I'm here to make a quick buck!" Alternative?

All's not lost. Here are some good low-cost (less than $100) website builders that will give you good results: Plus their limitations.

Go Daddy Website Complete: One of easiest website builders out there. And a darned good one too. If you are a complete beginner, or need to build a website quickly, go for this.

Comes with 400+ templates, plus a large variety of images. Spell checker, FTP (File Transfer Protocol) and preview included.

Building a website is as easy. Just type, drag and drop, cut/copy and paste content. Custom buttons easy to create. Image editor included.

You can change templates with a mouse click without loosing your work. Tables and forms easily created and edited. User Guide included, with examples, plus demo video.

Limitations; you cannot create independent pages and Java not well supported. You can only upload with in-built FTP.

Website Complete has some great features for ridiculous price of $14.95. Works best with Go Daddy hosting.

http://mercantilecentral.com/godaddy.htm, point on "Website Builders", then click on "Website Complete".