Unless he’s got all the resources on staff (user profilers, content writers, wireframe modelers, graphic designers, programmers and analytics applications), you’re wasting your money.

Harsh but true.

Just because someone knows something about WordPress and even has a degree in design does not mean he or she is a competent web developer.

Remember when the miracle of desktop publishing gave your administrative assistant the opportunity (notice I didn’t say ‘ability’) to generate “marketing materials”? Sure it was cheaper than having the professionals do it. But most of us quickly came to the conclusion that good marketing communication is both a science and an art and best not left to the amateurs. The same is true of web design.

Good web design is a team sport. Because of all the processes, constantly changing technologies, programs and standards, no one person can know it all and do it well. You’ve got to have a team of experts who each know their individual disciplines, appreciate their relationship to the other elements of the process and know that collaboration yields the optimal synergy.

Your choice in web developers reflects how much you value your website’s contribution to your company’s marketing, branding, customer relations and bottom line. So take the selection process seriously. Learn about the fundamentals of an effective website. You’ll not only better appreciate what makes a better website, you’ll better appreciate what it takes to accomplish it.

Do your homework and select a web development team that truly knows their stuff. It may very well be one of the best marketing decisions you’ll make.