If you’re a small business owner who lives on planet Earth and has even the smallest grasp on the reality of what it takes to grow your business then you know that having an online presence is crucial. Whether you’re hoping to get started with a brand new business website or you’re looking to revamp your out dated website, finding the right web designer can be both overwhelming and a little bit intimidating.

A simple search of “NJ Website Design” online produces over 93,000 results. Yes, you read correctly. There are over 93,000 web designers in New Jersey alone! So rather than aimlessly clicking around the web for hours on end and combing through hundreds of web design NJ websites here are a few tips to help you get started and figure out what it is you’re looking for.

1. Take a look at your potential web designer’s website. Their website will speak volumes about what they can do. If their website seems sloppy or confusing it’s probably best to move on to the next. Finding a good clean looking website that’s easy to navigate is a good indication of the kind of work they can do for you. After all – if they can’t even manage to make their own website attractive and functional how much can you really expect for yours?

2. You should have some idea of what kind of website style or look you want for your business website. If you’re not sure of what a web designer can do simply by looking at their home page then take a look at their featured clients. A good web designer knows when they do good work and they’re happy to show it off! Looking through a web designer’s portfolio or gallery is a great way to see what kind of design range they have. Can they do serious, sleek and professional as well as quirky, colorful and fun? If the answer seems to be, “Yes,” then you can feel confident that they’ll be able to bring that same flexibility to your vision.

3. Testimonials! If they’ve got testimonials featured within their website you should absolutely read them. It’s a quick and easy way to hear from small business owners like you if this particular web designer was easy to work with, professional and most importantly if they were happy with the final product

4. Budget. Make sure to have a budget in mind for this project. Knowing how much you can afford to invest in your business website will help you and your NJ web designer figure out what is realistic for your website. They can also help you to decide the best ways to spend that budget to get the most bang for your buck! Just remember – Picking the least expensive solution is not always the best solution: you get what you pay for.

5. Finally, don’t be afraid to ask questions! Does my budget allow for periodic updates? Does it include SEO and social networking? Who pays for the web hosting? Don’t know what any of that means? It’s cool – ASK! A good web designer will be patient with your questions and happy to answer them in a way that you can understand.