1. How many years has the company been in business?

Protect your investment by ensuring that a 'fly-by-night' operator does not leave your virtual presence hanging in cyber space.

2. How many customers does the company have?

Begin by checking if the company has an impressive web presence and a corporate brochure of its own. If it has less then a dozen clients, it is probably still getting its act together!

3. How many web designers and programmers does the company employ?

Incase the company outsources design or programming activities, you are likely to face inordinate delays and communication problems. Check for updated technology skill sets.

4. Where is the company's office?

You will be surprised by the fact that many operators operate from non existent virtual offices. There are no Trade Licences! LLC or Establishment?

5. How much profit did the company make in the last 5 years?

It becomes important to ask and know to ensure that the company will exist to serve you in the future. A quick glance through the yellow pages of the last 3 years will establish the point!

6. Does the company have a Best Practices checklist?

An extremely important factor to consider before you discover that your web site des not show up right in different computers/platforms/screen resolutions/.....

7. Has the company won any awards for the sites that they have designed?

While not a 'must', its nice to know that you are working with an award winning company.

8. Does the company provide all internet services under one roof?

If you have to go to 3 different vendors for establishing, maintaining and promoting your web site, it is not such a good idea! Check for 24/7 online support.

9. Is the company cost effective and does it deliver on time?

It should not cost an 'arm and a leg' to get going on the web. And since it is not rocket science it should not take more than a couple of weeks to set-you up and by the same token updates should be done, same/next business day.

10. How easy was it find the company online and in the real world?

If the company's own site (real and virtual) is not very easy to find, there is a good chance yours will be harder!

And finally, if you decide to ignore some of the above points in the checklist, please do me one favour. Pick up the phone and call 3 clients of the company before you pay any advance.

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