Visit
their website. Do you like their look? Does the site load quickly?
Does it have any broken links?
View their portfolio. Do you
like their work? Do they have experience working with businesses like
yours? Does every site look like a template?
Call the clients included in
their portfolio. Find out how the company was to work with. Did they
listen to concerns and suggestions and follow through, or do their own
thing?
Do they know how to market
a site? A website is a marketing tool and should be designed as one.
The objective of your site is to SELL your product or service.
Meet with the designer. Is their
appearance and manner professional? Are they able to explain the process
in terms you understand?
Keep in mind the saying "You
get what you pay for." Sure your niece could design a website
for you, but will it reflect the business image you want? It may
cost you more in the end to have a website redesigned.