If you’re out there looking for professional and affordable web design, then you’re likely finding yourself in a bit of a bind. There are plenty of affordable web design firms out there, but a lot of them are amateurs in disguise, non-English speaking, or hard to contact. Here are a few things to look for to narrow the field and find the designer that’s right for you.

First off, you’re probably looking on Google or another search engine for your designer. That’s a good place to start, sometimes, but all it shows you is who’s paying for an optimum search position or who’s spending the most time optimizing their site to get good rankings. Either way, their idea of “affordable” might not be yours. Keep that in mind when you look at these firms.

A better way than search engines for finding a good designer is to go to design forums and message boards. Often this is where you’ll find the really dedicated designers who’re interested no only in making a living, but in helping others perfect their craft as well. Read through some of the messages and make note of who is most helpful to others and seems to have a ready answer for most things. Check out their profiles, websites, and other references and see if they’re the kind of designer you’re looking for.

Similar to this approach is to look through ratings sites that rate customer satisfaction with providers. You’ll find these all over the place and for everything imaginable, not just web design. In a similar fashion, you can look for matching services that match your needs with a freelancer or firm that can provide for them. These sites are like eBay for professional services.

Whomever you find, make sure to thoroughly check them out before you hire them to do your site. Look at their portfolios, ask for references, and make sure you get a firm quote on price and time-line for completion. If there is something in the designer’s bid you don’t understand, make sure you get it clarified before your project starts and before you’ve shelled out any money. Never, ever pay for your website design up-front. Always pay either in stages or in escrow (where an objective third party holds the money until everyone is satisfied).

And remember that cheaper is not always better. Sure, you want your design to be affordable, but you want it to be professional and to specifications too. The cheapest choice is not always the best choice!

There is a lot to choose from with affordable web design, if you look for it. It’s not really a matter of finding it, but making affordable web design actually pay off for you too. There’s a designer for every job out there, so start looking for yours today!

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