“How do I use a developer to build my website,” you ask? If website templates or pre-packaged e-commerce solutions aren’t enough, if you’ve need to integrate proprietary databases, or if you’ve got money and want a flashy custom site, here are checklists and links on working with an outside developer.
Hiring a Website Designer
Where to Find a Developer in Chicago and Elsewhere
Before you can “use a developer to build my website,” you have to find some developers to evaluate. Here are suggestions of where to find them.
- Word of mouth recommendations
- Credit links on the bottom of similar sites
- Vendor partner programs, like Microsoft Partner Program
- Developer community sites, like forums for specific content management software
- Job boards, like Craig’s list, a free classified advertising website
- Directories online, like Yahoo developer network and Crains Chicago Business Web Directory List
- Software agencies
- Competitive bidding sites, like Elance.com and Guru.com where freelance consultants quote on website development and many other projects
How to Evaluate Developers
You not only want to learn how to “use a developer to build my website” but also how to select a good one.
Portfolio review — review similar sites they created
- Formal references — call references
- Unlisted references — if you can, ID projects they are not using as references and contact them, too. Google their URL.
- Scoring criteria — your own or a checklist
- Project team — past experience & qualifications of specific team
Web graphic design sources
Using A Website Designer To Build Your Site
Information required in a web development agreement: Checklist 18 elements to cover in a developer agreement. Source: Out-Law. com, IT and e-commerce legal help.
Rapid Development by Steve McConnell. Chris Microsoft Press, $35.
Potential Problem Areas
Shared understanding of contract
- Management of scope expansion
- Method and frequency of project communications
- Developer’s industry expertise — need to understand industry processes
- Developer with both graphical and technical skills
- Evaluating/managing staffing changes
- Quality control of code — “What is inside the box?”
- Degree of preparation of site content by purchaser
- Reasonable charges for maintenance and support
- Hidden costs in contact
Have we answered the question, how do I use a developer to build my website? Do you have suggestions for other, better links to answer this question?
