How do you go about choosing a web designer? Judging by the number of results from a Google search for the phrase “choosing a web designer” (4,220) this is a common question. Here are some thoughts and links on the subject.

Entrepreneur.com recommends that you base your decision on referrals from people you trust and your own opinion of the designer’s published work.

The article that comes closest to my own opinion on the subject is a newsletter from the web design company Dimension Studio. I would recommend reading their list in full, but here’s an excerpt:

3. Understanding your company, image, brand and goal: A website needs to address quickly, directly and simply the true nature of the company and the ultimate goal. If it is selling products, then the products should be accessible right from the home page …

4. Your true web advisor: Your designer should be a competent advisor to you. Simply doing what he is told is not his function. You are not supposed to have a deep knowledge about the Web. That is his job! …

I don’t think that there is any one way of choosing a web designer that will work for everyone, but it is worth reviewing the recommendations on what you should look for to increase your chances of success.