Finding a good web designer
A successful developer will rely on word of mouth for large component of his or her work fbut there are still other considerations to be made. The ability to relate and communicate is vital to this process. In larger organisations this task is independent of the designer and performed by the marketing or a support Analyst.
Either way, if you are going to build a public representation for your self or your business. Be ready for some emotional speed bumps since the process can become confronting when you see your self through some one else’s (the designers) eyes.
Poor communication skills on the part of both parties can quickly turn into a separation of way. If you have invested dollars into this process it can be a very costly disagreement.
Contracts
We can not stress enough the importance of contracts, no matter what the relationship you have with the developer nor the size of the project. It does not need to be anything more than an outline of what you expect that can be understood by both parties. Contracts are also important in reestablishing the ownership of the site content.
References
Look at the sites a developer has worked on in the past year and talk to site owners, but inform the designer before hand, he might warn you of a less favourable response if a personality clash has occurred. That does not mean the designer is neccessarily at fault Disagreements can be caused by many factors such as unrealistic expectations of the client or not having a clear agreement on the process. How disagreements have been resolved is more informative than a lasting relationship.
Industry Specific
Some designers tend to specialise in an industry segment. This gives them more credibility within that sphere of influence. However, this does not necessarily help you create a website that will standout from your competition. Shop around until you find a designer you are comfortable with.
Price
The price of a web designer can vary enormously for the same product and is more representative to there current client base than the work itself .A "simple" site is not a cheap site since simplicity is a function of good planning and time taken in planning.