Website designers might be grouped into four categories according to the skills they have developed, namely website designer, Website programmer, graphic designer and Internet marketing specialist.

A website designer helps to determine the page layout, graphics, text location and colors of web site, as well as the navigation and how pages will cross-link to one another. He may also do the actual computer programming and graphic art work for the site, or may hire out that work to a programming specialist. A website designer is the project manager for your site design or redesign.

A website programmer takes the design from the designer and creates the code to make the site run. She or he is also responsible for all the technical stuff that happens behind-the-scenes to make sure the site works properly for your visitors

A graphic designer creates the graphics for the site, including your logo and buttons. A graphic designer may also create the overall look and feel of the site.

An Internet marketing specialist helps you to determine how your website fits into your overall marketing strategy, and how to get more traffic and sales from your website.
Sometimes, if you’re lucky, you can get all four of these skills from the same person. You may find a designer who can also help you with the text for your website but don’t count on it. Be prepared to write the text yourself, or hire a professional copywriter.

Budget
Ask the designer for their fees (expect to pay between $60 - $200 an hour, depending on their skill and their location), and what is the estimate of cost for the site you want. They may not be able to give you a good estimate until you discuss content and features of the site.

Ask them how they bill you. Will they invoice you monthly, or when certain milestones are reached? Do you have to make deposits?

Pay attention to how much they ask you about your business. They should want to get to know you and your business intimately. How else can they design a site that reflects you and your business, unless they spend time to get to know you?

Pay attention to whether they'll try to stick within your budget, or whether they keep suggesting new add-ons that increase to the cost of your site. Remember, designers aren’t responsible for your budget, you are.

Ask them whether they will maintain your site after the initial design, and how much they'll charge for that. Some designers want to create new sites but don't want to maintain them. Someone like a virtual assistant (VA) may be able to maintain your site for a lower hourly fee, as long as the VA is skilled in website programming.

Tell each prospective website designer what your deadline is and ask if they can meet it. If you don’t have a specific deadline, brainstorm with the designer to create a good working deadline that you can both meet.