Before you decide who to get to design your new project consider these requirements first:

>>Is your web site going to be listed on the major search engines?

>>Does your web designer know about the laws when it comes to web design and accessibility?

>>What advertising methods are going to be used to get your web site positioned on the main search engines?

>>Is your web site going to be cross browser compatible?

Asking your designer these simple questions will save you money and time. Whys that Barry I hear you say?

Well since last December (actually since 1999) the law has changed to favour the disabled in a variety of ways when it comes to having your web site designed. Did you know that simply because the designers of the Sidney Olympics web site did not follow accessibility laws the entire site had to be complete redesigned to accommodate the disabled? This was at a cost of over 1million.

Dont get caught out and don't be afraid to ask questions about the law and how it works.

A simple question like "If a visitor to my site is disabled in such a way that he must be able to navigate my site with only 1 finger, how will they get around and navigate to my pages?"

If your design cannot answer this simple question then get another designer.

Also the entire content of your page must be accessible. How would a blind person access content of Java applets or Flash?

Too many sites have been designed using flash applets and not even considered who is going to access the information. If your web site is not compatible for every one it can be closed down and you may be forced to redesign it to get it back up...