• Be specific as to what you want but don’t micromanage.
• Point to the problems rather than offering the solutions yourself. Chances are, you will end up with a better end product because a professional designer will have offered more creative solutions to your problem.
• Hire a designer who is capable of creating a unique and memorable look.
• Why design by committee never really works—watch a clip.
• Be prepared: have your texts and images ready.
• Have a realistic budget. Understand what determines the cost of a website.
• Make sure you know what type of work the designer does.
• Even if you have the right budget, do not assume that the designer will automatically take your project. There are other factors involved, such as: time line, the scope of your project, etc.
• Being nice always pays off.