This is maybe the most important section of this page so, for your own safety and security, please read this section carefully.

The internet can be a dangerous place. It has opened the doors for lots of criminals to move undetected. When it comes to web design, there is a certain level of trust that has to be established in order for this process to work. After all, a lot of the time you will be giving a stranger access to account information, your email and your clients' information. I have lost count of how many times clients have told me they have suffered financial loss and even, in some extreme cases, had their safety threatened. However, there are ways to protect yourself.

• Pay by check only after you get a written quotation and be sure to get a physical address to send it to, not a mail drop or PO box (this way you'll have a paper trail and an address).
• If you are setting up a hosting account for your new web site, if at all possible, try to set up a new account in which you don't have any active email address (This is sometimes unavoidable and that is were the trust comes in.).
• Once your web site has been completed and uploaded to your domain, reset all your passwords. DO NOT USE A HOSTING COMPANY THAT DOESN'T HAVE A NUMBER TO CALL TO TALK TO A LIVE PERSON. This way, they can tell you if any other access accounts have been created.
• Keep personal information to a minimum unless it is relevant to the project (This is not to say you can't be friendly. However, be wary of questions that are being asked that are unrelated to the project.).
• Trust your gut if something smells fishy. Most likely it's fish.
• Have another company give your site the once over when its finished, Most reputable companies should do this for a small fee without trying to sell you their services.

There are also a number of other things you can do to find a trustworthy designer.

Don't rush in

Once you have found a designer that interests you. Call him/her a couple of times with the same questions to see if their answers are consistent (Prices may change, but that's common.).

Ask to see references or if it is ok to contact people who have written testimonials of their work.

Obtain and confirm all contact information before sending any payment.

Look at their work

Look really hard at their portfolio and website. Every designer has a style, but you can always tell if the work matches the artist. The reason for this is you don't want to be charged for original work that turns out to be a pre-made template.

Contract Contract Contract

Whether this be in the form of a quote or a written contract, be sure to have it on headed paper in writing what is expected, how much it is going to cost, and their confirmed contact information. If they can’t provide this for you, walk away no matter how appealing the price is.

There are many pitfalls in this business, but, as long as you remember to get everything in writing, confirm the contact information and keep all electronic correspondence, you will be able to retrieve any loss though legal channels (and the fact that you are taking these precautions may in and of itself deter any intentions to con or mislead you).

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