If you run your own business and don't have a website (not very likely these days), or you need to choose a web design company to update your current website then you have some important decisions to make. And the more you know, the better informed you are, the better the decision you'll be able to make. Whether you choose the big, swish design agency with the plush, 3000 square foot offices in the centre of town, or your 8 year old nephew will depend on a lot of factors.

A few brief tips:

* Choose the goals for your website before going ahead with the design.
* Spend time researching the companies you have shortlisted.
o Check their own website
o Is it easy to navigate?
o Can you find what you want easily, and within 3 clicks of the homepage?
o Is the layout, graphic style and text clear and easy to read/view?
o Are there any unsightly distractions?
o Colours - this is a personal preference, but the colour scheme should 'work' together as a whole.

* Contact the web design companies you have shortlisted.

o Are they easy to contact, by email or phone?
o Is their telephone manner helpful?
o Do they listen to your requirements, or recommend something you don't want or need?
o What kind of timeframe would they give for turnaround?
o Get references, and call them up for their views on the company, good and bad.

With so many different companies out there, ranging from 1 man bands and freelancers who work from home, to bigger organisations that may charge you significantly more, how do you choose the right one for your business website? As we all know, cheaper is not always better, but nor do we want to pay an arm and a leg for a website that is way beyond what our business requires.

Clarity is the key. If you start by making a decision about what you want your website to do for your business, ie what role it will play in your overall business strategy, then you are starting in the right place. Having a website for it's own sake is next to worthless. Define your goals for your website from the very outset, even if it seems like it is taking up too much of your valuable time, you could potentially be saving yourself thousands in the long run. Do you want the website to generate leads, or to disseminate information to your clients or employees? How will you measure 'success'? Will it be used to sell product or services online? Getting this nailed down from the start can save endless heartache down the line.

When choosing a web design company, a lot of people like to go on recommendation, which is never a bad thing right? If a business associate has had a positive experience with a web design company then at least that minimises the risk you expose yourself to when dealing with a new company. However - make sure the company you are choosing is right for your business, and for you. Yours and your associate's businesses could be akin to apples and pears, and we want to compare apples with apples here. And not everyone gets on with everyone else. This is a huge part of doing business that is often overlooked. You need to feel comfortable with the person or business you are spending your hard earned pennies with. You need to trust them, and feel that they will take your project as seriously as you do.