Top 6 questions to ask when choosing an e-commerce web designer

1) What are the costs? What is the baseline price – which are optional features? What are monthly costs?

Make sure you understand the total cost of your website. When you contract with them, make sure the contract spells out the main features you are needing, and which optional ones - at what costs. This keeps everyone on friendly terms when the website is delivered.

Most web designers have baseline prices for different types of sites. Then, if you add features, they charge per extra feature. Custom features are often more than standard ones - but that's OK if you get what your specific business needs.

2) Do you host my site? Or do I contract with the web host?

If your ecommerce web designer also hosts your site, you may be locked in more than you like. In most cases, the web developer is contracting with a web host company, doubles the price (or more) – and gives you a monthly fee you pay to the web designer. That is how many ecommerce sites end up have hosting costs of $50, $75, or more per month.

Also, if you contract with the web host, it gives you more leverage. Perhaps you may want to change web hosts. Or perhaps you may want a different web designer to make updates. If you are the one contracting with the web host, you have all the power.

3) Can I add new pages and products myself? Or do I need you (the web designer) to do it for me? Are there restrictions/limits to how many I can add?

Most professional ecommerce applications/websites also have CMS features, enabling you to add and edit pages in addition to products. They will have some sort of admin or control panel for you to do this.

In most cases there are not restrictions on the number of pages or products you can add, particularly when it is a standard process of purchasing a physical product that is shipped to the customer. However, some do have pricing models... with different monthly costs, depending on the number of pages or products.

4) Have you built e-commerce web sites before? May I see some examples?

Most web designers will post a list of sample websites that they have built on their own website. If they don't, think twice. Perhaps they are just beginning.

If they do, perhaps contact the owners of these websites - ask them about their experience with this vendor. Ask about their professionalism, customer support, and would they recommend them? Doing your homework can weed out undesirables.

Then, for good measure, check with the BBB for the company.

5) Is this built in Flash?

If this is built in Flash, then you will normally end up with a very pretty site that will never be found by search engines. You basically cannot do much to optimize a flash site - which puts you at a disadvantage when you try to market your website.

6) What are your hourly rates for maintenance?

These do range widely from vendor to vendor. Some are around $75/hour. Some are $250/hour. Make sure you are fully aware of this before selecting a web designer.

Tips provided by Robert Fuess from Spiderweb Logic - a veteran ecommerce web designer