Email the Author
You can use this page to email Susan Snipes about Don't get burned.
About the Book
Who should read this book?
Anyone that wants to make the best possible choice when hiring a web designer or developer.
- Are you ready to hire someone to design and build your website, but don’t know how to find the right person?
- Do you have a handful of recommendations for web designers but don’t know which one to choose to create your organization’s new website?
- Websites are a big investment. Are you nervous about picking the right person for your new website?
If you answered yes to any of these questions, this book is for you.
After reading this book you will:
- Use effective methods to find potential web designers/developers
- Reach out to potential web designer/developers skillfully
- Be a savvy interviewer with tools to evaluate your short list of candidates
- Follow best practices for working together with your new web partner
- Feel confident you picked the right person/team to create your website
Why am I writing this book?
I have heard far too many unfortunate stories about website disasters. You’ve probably heard some horror stories from your friends and colleagues too. The website that was never finished. The web design that took three times as long to complete as planned. The web developer that just disappeared, and was never heard from again. The website that was 50% over budget. The web designer that took a full-time job and then left their freelance projects far behind.
This doesn't have to happen to you! This guide is for anyone hiring a web designer or developer. It will provide you with the tools and information to make an informed decision to finding and choosing a skilled, ethical and reliable web partner.
Table of Contents
- Foreword
- Who is this book for?
- What will you get from reading this book?
- Why did I write this?
- Introduction
- Getting started
- Decide on your priorities
- The fast track
- Where can you find good web designers, developers and firms?
- Referrals
- Web searches and directories
- Posting your contract or project
- Special considerations
- Do you need to create an RFP (Request for Proposal)?
- Do you need more than one option to choose from?
- Does your website need a specific technology?
- How to narrow down your choices
- Evaluating a website
- Creating a short list of choices
- Special considerations
- What if someone don't have a website?
- How to reach out to potential web designers, developers or firms
- Preliminary contact
- Making contact
- Next contact
- How to decide on the right web partner
- Experience
- Examples and style
- Personality and culture compatibility
- Individual vs firm
- Price
- Does location matter?
- Spotting trouble
- Special considerations
- Are you hiring someone to create a Content Management System (CMS?)
- How does this apply to trade for services?
- What if your top choice is a friend or in your social network?
- How to vet a potential hire
- The interview process
- Contacting references
- Special considerations
- How do you get beyond the standard references?
- Making sure your project is successful
- Plan ahead
- Contracts
- Best practices
- How to be an awesome client
- How to make your web team more awesome
