A lot of people are hanging out shingles as web site designers these days. How do you decide which company to use? Selecting a web site designer is like choosing any service provider: the more you know, the better off you are. Local or long distance? You can locate a lot of designers by going on line and checking out web pages. Theoretically, you could choose someone in California to design your web site and communicate with him or her by telephone, fax, email, and snail mail. However, if you’re new to this, being able to see someone face to face could be important. Maintenance and upgrading are issues to consider, too. Experience counts. Look at the work a designer has already done. Ask for references and follow up on them. Ask about the working relationship, turn around time, pricing, follow up, and responsiveness. If you need an online store, find someone who is capable in all the technology involved. Avoid having your site be someone’s learning experience. If you do want to give