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Powerbook lover · 04:43 AM

Hi,
I would like to hire a website design company to build a website. How do I know if they are legit? Are there any questions I need to ask? Any help or suggestions would be very much appreciated.

Diggory Laycock · May 31, 2005, 04:50 AM

Just ask for their portfolio - then ask their former clients.

Chris O'Brien · May 31, 2005, 08:23 AM

Check the meta tags. If you see the words 'frontpage' or 'microsoft word' anywhere, start running

Simon Mundy · May 31, 2005, 10:52 AM

Ask them for 3 URLs of recent work, then post them here. You won't get a more honest appraisal of a web development company's work than from the folk here, me included

Powerbook lover · May 31, 2005, 06:41 PM

ok thank you for the replies. The website I was thinking of choosing is sophea.com Any opinions?

Simon Mundy · Jun 1, 2005, 04:00 AM

Originally Posted by Powerbook lover

ok thank you for the replies. The website I was thinking of choosing is sophea.com Any opinions?

"WE Will BEAT ANY PRICE"

Run. Don't look back. Anyone who promises cut-rate design is going to give you cut-rate design. And just for kicks, run the W3 accessibility and validation tools over their site...

Phil Sherry · Jun 1, 2005, 04:54 AM

If they're "The Biggest Web Design Company On The Planet," how come this is the first I've heard of them?

And $45 for a web site? Jeez, I can almost smell the quality from here...

Powerbook lover · Jun 2, 2005, 06:43 PM

Any suggestions then for a company I can use?

piot · Jun 2, 2005, 07:17 PM

Originally Posted by Powerbook lover

Hi,
I would like to hire a website design company to build a website. How do I know if they are legit? Are there any questions I need to ask?

Well in the case of sophea.com:

1. Why does your web site look like a porno portal?

2. Why do you not have any REAL clients

3. What does this mean? "If you purchase a Sophea Service at the special price and they are sold out, we will immediately refund you."

4. Do I get a free holliday in Florida?

5. Please....can I have my credit card back now?

Sorry Powerbook Lover, but how the hell did you find them? I have never.... ever... seen anything like it.

What kind of web site do you want and where are you? If you are going to spend real money then you are better off finding someone relatively local. Try your chamber of commerce (in USA?) and local directories, search engines etc.

Good luck!

derbs · Jun 3, 2005, 05:42 AM

Why not post the spec/budget here and see if anyone is interested. All the regulars here are talented and legit. well most of em anyway

spacefreak · Jun 6, 2005, 10:14 PM

If you are on a low budget, and a cookie-cutter website is all you need, I'd suggest something like Yahoo's website services. Not only are their templates OK, but they also now offer custom design services.

Otherwise, if you head towards independent designers and developers, your costs are likely to be at least $1000.

I guess I should ask, what exactly do you need your website to do?.