When you're shopping for website designers, don't forget to check their:

• Online portfolio - have the clients already moved on to another design? Do they seem customised or all the same?
• Their Proposal - check functionality, site map and terms. Does it include at least some training on the back end?

Who will put in the 'content' and ensure its design is perfected?  (Anything under $1200 and you may not get formatted internal web page content).  Also, ensure you do not pay the developer's final invoice until the job is done and live. (Developers speak of 'content', whereas copywriters speak of copy)

I have worked with Red Planet Design for four years as copywriter (Brisbane), and I've seen it all. Work with someone you feel is helpful and trustworthy.

Hi Yi

Have you considered creating a website yourself? If you require a simple website, then it could be a good low cost option. If you require a more complex website, with advanced functionality then it may be best to hire a web designer. The company who I work for (Yola) is a website builder that let's you create a site without any technical skills, I thought I would put it out there as an alternative to hiring a web designer.

Cheers

Get in touch with Bryce at http://donedigital.com.au/ ... even if he can't help you, he'll be able to recommend someone.

Hi Yee

The best team I have seen in terms of the development of sites and also professional understanding of SEO/SEM etc is a company called CLICK CREATIVE.

We've just commissioned them to do a large project for a key client of ours and they have been super impressive in their work so far.

I understand they've just opened an office in Glebe, and have offices in Melbourne too.

Cheers

Hunter

Hi Yee

I have several recommendations in Melbourne, if you're happy to work remotely. Does it matter where the firm is based?

Whomever you approach Yee, make certain you receive a comprehensive proposal demonstrating that they have a clear understanding of the sites target audience and precisely what you want it to achieve. It must also contain all costs associated with ongoing maintenance, hosting, updating and optimisation. I have read some fascinating documents over the years that contained technical flim-flam, very little genuine substance and ambiguous pricing.

There are many applications that rank web pages so use one or two on the proposer’s own, http://www.evolvingseo.com/2012/01/24/the-ultimate-list-of-rank-checkers/?utm_source=www.inbound.org. this will lead to some very interesting conversation.

Talk directly to site owners featured in their portfolio, ask all the questions that you need answers for, particularly about the development process and the level of control extended to their clients.

Make sure you also receive a detailed introduction to the proposed site’s back-end and are confident that they can instruct your people on how to use all its facilities.

Before you part with your cash (and prior to the site being published) ask for evidence that any 3rd party licensed material has actually been paid for and is licensed for your use (unencumbered).