Some attorneys consistently lose good cases.
Some doctors consistently make their patients sick.
Some accountants consistently get their clients audited.
And some website designers create unprofessional websites and waste their client's time and money...
It is difficult to know if your attorney is close to being disbarred or if your doctor is more concerned about his golf game than your health. You have no way of knowing if the IRS just flagged your accountant. But you can easily tell if a website designer is competent. Here is how:
#1. Look at their web site(s)
Do those websites catch and hold your attention? Or are they disorganized, unattractive or worst of all, boring?
#2. Search for them in Google, Yahoo and Bing/MSN
First, search in the local community. For example: "website designer in Windsor CT". Then search for them in the entire State: "website design in CT". (Look for CIT Services, I have several websites!)
Perform these 2 searches in Google, Yahoo and Bing. If you find the website designer you are considering on page #1 or #2 of most of these 6 searches, you have found a professional. Now go back to #1 and pick the website designers who have a style you like and whose style fits your business. Meet with the top 2 or 3 in person, and make your decision.
Regarding building your own website...
Some people really like to do things themselves. They may not try open heart surgery on themselves, but they definitely will try to design their own website. But everyone's time is valuable; in some respects time is all we have. To earn /save less than $2 an hour by designing your own website and creating an unappealing mess is generally not a good use of your time. Possibly the only thing worse than no website is a bad or boring website because when you post a boring or unprofessional website, you are telling the world: "My business is boring or unprofessional or I am to cheap to invest in a professional designer". Should your customers buy from you if that is what you are telling them?
Where from here?
Please visit the other pages on this website and look at my other websites. Tell me what style you like and tell me about your business in 30 minutes. If you can do this then: