ForumsInternet/eCommerce

Let me add one thing, which I didn't find in the postings before.

• Make yourself clear, what scope 'my webdesigner' has to cover. Are you looking for somebody, who

A can implement your own concept (you have already created a map and a layout of your page(s))? Then you need a programmer. The call themselves designer from time to time, since it involves a lot of things, which you only discover after looking at them, in other words, design here is mostly 'does it look as excpected?" Or are you looking for someone, who
B helps you with the map and layout of the pages before the implementation? Those people call temselves designer too, since it is the design of the web pages literally. They know, what elements/structure works for certain clientele and products/services OR are you looking for someone, who
C helps you findung out what you really want, what clientele, how to approach those, what are your customers really looking for, how do attract your customers come to your site and don't ignore it, how to leverage social networks, blogs etc to drive traffic to your site etc., they sometimes call themselves designer too, since their customers are looking for designers and not consultants.

• it goes without saying that C includes often B includes often A in the offering to you and correlates with the fee you have to expect to pay. BUT if you havent't done C before B before A you might find out later that the money wasn't well spent.

Before you select a web designer, it is very important that you are clear that what you want your website to do? Do you want informative site, showcase all your products and drive them to store for buying clothes, offer clothes from online shopping cart, local market or nationwide market.

Based on your need, I think you should decide which level of website designer you should approach. I feel you should make site with lot of images & flash banner to showcase your products as client should like your collection to visit your local store. Create a mailing list on your website so when you have special promotions, you can email it to your list.

Once you have idea of what you need on your site, ask for suggestions from the web designer. You want to make sure you spend your money wisely and expect a ROI for website development. Every functionailty adds to the cost of the website so select wisely what you need for your website.

Thanks,
Bob

See the following link http://officeliveoffers.com/ebook/MS2eBook.pdf
No need to pay expensive designers. See the real live examples at http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/officelive/FX102038451033.aspx
Let me know if this helped.
Regards,
Studio D1

Microsoft Office Live is a suite of Internet–based services for small businesses, designed to
get you up and running online quickly and easily—all you need is a computer and an Internet
connection.
Microsoft Office Live services allow you to create a professional online presence without the
expense of buying a server, setting up a complicated infrastructure and hiring technical staff
to maintain it.
Office Live includes everything you need to create a professional website, including a free
domain name (e.g., www.adventure-works.com), easy site design tools (no HTML required),
web hosting, company-branded e-mail accounts, online tools to market your site, and even
your own intranet site—an online and central space to store documents, customer information
and project status. Plus, you get simple online applications and tools to better collaborate
with customers, employees and business stakeholders.
And the best part: Most of this is FREE!

Yes, just go to the followin link: (copy and paste this link in your internet explorer)

http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/officelive/FX102038451033.aspx

There you will see a number oc ustomer tutorials and you can contact these people on how they used the tool.

I am in the process of setting a new site up as well, however did not complete it yet.

Hope this helps.

My husband does software and web design. Over the years he has often been contacted about designing websites. One things we've observed over and over is the descrepancy between what a person expects from a web designer and what a web designer actually does.

Keep in mind the various parts of a good e-commerce site:

Product pictures - do you have stock photos from a vendor? Do you need to either take pictures or hire someone to take pictures? After you have the pictures who will edit them and make them 'web ready'?

Product descriptions and content - The most perfectly designed website won't do you any good without content. Who is writing the copy for your website?

Site design - a well designed site is more than just a pleasing color scheme and a catchy logo. It is also easy to navigate and search engine friendly. It's nice to have a pretty site. It's profitable to have one that customers and use and search engines can spider.

Shopping cart - A good ecommerce site has an integrated shopping cart that can process orders and payments in a way that suits your business. There is a lot of difference between an e-commerce site selling merchandise and an information or recruiting site.

These are issues to go over with potential web designers. What are they delivering? What do they need from you in order to deliver? Ask to see other e-commerce sites they have created. Ask for references.

Remember that web design is your typical bell curve. There are a few really exceptional website. There are a few really horrible one. Most are okay.

One thing I forgot to mention is buy your own domain name and have control of it yourself.

For instance Go Daddy - Park the domain and do a DNS change to your website that way a "seedy webmaster" hasn't got you nailed.