Suggestions on what to look for when hiring a web designer or programmer

There are thousands of people who can design a web site or offer application and database programming. How can you decide who to choose?

Besides price, there are some things you should discuss up front. We hope you find the following useful, no matter who you decide to hire.

Will the person you are hiring provide:

• 1. An itemized list of services and development included in the price being quoted? This will prevent a misunderstanding on both sides about the work being done.

• 2. Access information (including web addresses, usernames, and passwords) to everything being set up for you? This may include web hosting information, database setups, email access, file transfer methods, etc. You need to know how you can move your web site to another location if you terminate services with the person or they go out of business.

• 3. Information about the files, database tables, and other software used or created for the application? While you may not have the technical knowledge to manage these items yourself, it will help if you are no longer using the person's services and you need someone else to get up to speed quickly.

• 4. A list of any recurring costs, and how to terminate them?

• 5. A way to separate deliverables in case you are uncomfortable paying the whole amount in advance? This will let you see progress in stages as you pay for each stage.