Websites are funny things - to most it appears that the most important aspect of a website is how it looks and whether the menu system is easy to use. This is an incredible state of affairs we've gotten ourselves into because loads of people are wasting money on websites that absolutely don't do anything for their business. Instead they let their own views get in the way of choosing a web design agency and instead of using sensible business reasons for spending their cash, they let emotion get in the way.

You see, the look of a website may not have anything to do with how it performs and whether it will actually make any money, no, the look of a website is secondary to everything - it's whether that site can convert customers that is absolutely key.

Also, many customers try to get involved with the design aspect of their site. Whilst you need to have some input into the designs, the whole reason you're choosing a web design agency is because they are doing it for you. If you had any idea how to design a site then you'd do it yourself wouldn't you?

Look for a design agency that can give you testimonials and contact details of past customers, don't go for one that has a particularly nice way with buttons or knows how to use fancy graphics - you're after a business relationship aren't you?

And here is the nub of the problem - you are a business (I hope) and your website should be designed to attract customers and make them pay for things and yet when it comes to designing your website, you go all gooey-eyed at the lovely designs that someone comes up with and completely forget the whole point of your site.

So, here are the key points to making sure you get the most from your web designer including the absolute essential things you should be asking:

How does the designer measure the success of a site?

Your designer won't know exactly how your market works or how you normally sell your stuff. It's a sad fact of life but the chances of finding one that has only done work for businesses in your niche are pretty slim. Also, I'm afraid niche business is not lucrative enough for most designers and so they busy themselves working with lots of different companies.

However, a good one will trial things, see if they work and then change the site based on feedback. Expect to pay more for this, but paying more means you'll earn more - it's the way things go I'm afraid.

Does the designer provide a quote straight away?

Many web design companies will simply throw a quote your way based on the number of pages or the type of site they're building. So, it's websites by numbers now is it? Site with the developers, work out what you want and then come to a mutually agreeable price.

We don't do quotes because they're rubbish - they just give you a list of things they'll do for you, whether you need them or not. It should take a long time to establish the things you need on your site and you're not going to get to a solution over email.

Ignore quotes and tenders - discuss, establish rapport and then decide on what it's worth to you.

Too cheap?

Of course we want everything cheap these days but unfortunately you'll just get what you pay for. Remember, it takes time to do your site and so work out how many hours the quote will pay for. If the hourly rate is less than the designer could earn working in Asda, you 'aint going to get a good a site.

To conclude

You need to be careful when choosing a good company to design and develop your website but most of it is common sense. A cheap and cheerful site will be just that, so expect to pay a little more for something that, eventually, will probably be paying your salary for the next few years.