When it comes to web design, you can speak to 100 web designers and get 100 different approaches. So how do you know what is right for you and whether you are getting the best advice?

Well, you will have your own factors that apply to choosing a supplier for any aspect of your business, such as "chemistry" - and it is important that you get on with your web designer.

However, there are a number of factors specific to web design that you should also be considering and the best way to evaluate them is to ask your potential web designer a number of questions:

• Q. Have they evaluated your overall business objectives or simply asked what you would like your website to look like?
  Your website will undoubtedly be part of your overall business strategy, so if they don't know what that is they cannot advise on the role your website can play in achieving that.
• Q. Do they provide website management services?
  This could be anything from hosting your website, to generating traffic to your site through a range of activities. But, it takes specific expertise to achieve effective results. Can they demonstrate that to you?
• Q. Is there an easy-to-use content management system?
  Many people prefer to have someone else keep their website up to date (whilst they focus on what they know best - their own business!). However, you may want the ability to add or change material on a daily basis and this will require a trusted content management system (CMS). Do they offer one?
• Q. Do they understand your legal requirements for "accessibility"?
  As an owner of a website you have a legal obligation to have a website that follows accessibility guidelines offered by W3C (The World Wide Web Consortium). Will they do this for you?
• Q. Are their designs aimed to show off their "wonderful design skills" or to be appropriate to your target audience?
  So many websites look fantastic but achieve nothing. Any poll on what people look for in a website will tell you that at the top of the list is "easy navigation" - being able to find what they want quickly and easily. Too often this is overlooked in preference for "design gizmos". Take a look at their portfolio and judge for yourself as a potential customer for each of their customers' websites.

There are of course other factors, such as price, technology, compatibility with various commonly used browsers, speed of loading, and many more, but get the right answers to the above questions and you will be on the right track. You can then apply your more personal factors to make your final selection.

Remember, you should be looking for someone that will support you in the long-term, and work with you to create a successful website as your business grows.

At Hodder Online, you are assured of getting the right approach to web design with a focus on the things that will truly make a difference to your website and your ultimate online success. Talk to us and we ill happily demonstrate our success for our many clients.