How to select a web design and hosting company

What questions should I ask?

Ask questions and check references!!!

How long have you been in business?
What are the experience levels of your web design staff?
Do you have a client list? (web addresses of client websites)
May we call references? (names and phone numbers)
What tools do you use to build your websites?
What platforms do you use? (coding language, server, database)
What features do you include? (calendars, forums, content management, blogs, forms, etc)
If we decide to move the website, will it be transferable to another host or web designer?
How much downtime have your web servers experienced in the past year?
What kind of security do you have on your servers? (hacker, spam and virus protection)
What website security do you offer? (on your servers, through FTP)
Do you design the web graphics?
How much content and graphics will you require us to provide?
How many email addresses will you provide?
Is there an extra cost for additional emails?
Is there limit to the amount of space on your server?
What is the cost or estimate: designing, building, hosting, maintaining?
Are there additional costs for flash, forms, ecommerce, or other enhancements?
How will you work with us during development of the website?
Where will we be able to view the website during development?
What are your timelines and availability over the next 3,6,9 months?
How will the website be maintained? (by our company, by your company, combination)
If you use a content management system for maintenance, how flexible is it?
What are your maintenance services, including cost?
What is your maintenance turn-around time?
Can we reach a real person when we contact you for support?
Are there any additional services or costs that we have not addressed?
What information do you need from us to receive a proposal from you ?
When can you submit a proposal?