How Do I Use a Developer to Build My Website?
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
- 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
- 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
Suggestions for further links welcome.
