Finding a High-Quality Web Services Provider.
Look for the following features in your Web Services provider. Taken by itself, each item may not be that critical, but in aggregate the picture may be significant.
- Is your provider accredited in any way? Are they members of professional associations?
- Is the business registered with the state? Better yet, are they an LLC or a corporation? Are they trademarked? Look for a sign that the business is here to stay.
- Do they have examples of their work? Don't rule a company out if they haven't done your specific type of site, but make sure they can do something similar. If they haven't, get them to do a prototype up-front with little or no cost to you.
- Do they appear knowledgeable? Are they willing to share information with you and answer all your questions? Can they provide you with a description of their experience?
- Do they explain things to you? Do they speak in jargon, or in words most people understand? Do you feel that you understand what they say and why it's being said?
- Do they have handouts or brochures that show they've spent some serious time creating their image?
- Can they give you a list of references that you can talk to? Do they have testimonials to their work?
- Do they have established forms such as contracts and plan details which spell out promises, rights of ownership, litigation procedures, your rights, and so forth?
- Do they tell you all the costs up front, before you pay a dime?
- Are they flexible? Will they ajust themselves to your needs? Can they adapt to changes you need as you go along, or are they 'locked in'?
- Do they follow a code of ethics?
Ask questions. Do the answers sound reasonable? Do they agree with what you know? If not, can they explain the difference?
Shop around. Get a second opinion. Remember that pricing is not the only, or even the most important, concern, but it can be important because it may tell you something about the developer. More importantly, do you feel you can trust you developer?
