Check their portfolio. If they are a reputable company, they should have an online or print portfolio of the websites they have created. Every company has its own style, so looking through their work will give you a sense of whether you like their work and their style suits what you have in mind for your website. You’ll be able to find a mismatch pretty quickly. If they don’t have anything to show you, say thank you, and move on.

Clarify EVERYTHING on the estimate. Educate yourself on your needs for your specific business. Ask for a detailed estimate in writing, and clarify each point in the estimate. Don’t assume that your interpretation is the same as theirs. Website Optimization will most certainly be part of what they promise, but you need to find out exactly what that means to them. Talk to someone who knows about search engine optimization so you can speak intelligently with the designer and won’t be baffled by a language you don't understand. Also, don’t accept estimates that say “depends on . . .” unless you know where in the cost range you’re going to land based on what you need, and you understand the "depends on" terms.

Ask about additional costs. A website is a living breathing thing, and sometimes you don’t really know what you’re missing until you’ve lived with it for a little while. For example, after multiple customer requests you realize you should have included Paypal as a payment option in your checkout. Because you’re already committed to your website, the design company can charge for these additional items, which you may not have expected. Make sure you ask specifically what additional changes will cost after the website has been built. It stands to reason that they can’t do it for free, but you should know up front what those costs will be before you begin. Get this in writing.

Beware of huge promises. It’s a website after all – granted, an extremely important part of your business and a great tool – but it’s not going to triple your profits in a week. If your web designer is making promises that seem too good to be true, they probably are.

Trust your instincts. Just like with anything else, you’ll know whether you’re dealing with someone you think you can trust. If you’re getting that “I’m not sure about this guy” feeling, it’s probably a good indicator that he’s not a good fit for you – even if he has come highly recommended. You’re the one who needs to work with him and you need to be comfortable with that relationship. Website creation can be stressful. It’s a lengthy complicated process and sometimes what the designer thinks is best contrasts what you think is best. You know your business, but they know websites, so in order to iron out those clashes, give and take is required to come up with a product that is the best it can be. In order to do this there needs to be a high level of trust in your relationship with the designer.

Don't decide based on price alone. Sure, price is a factor in every decision you make in your small business, but don’t make the mistake of assuming the cheapest price will get you what you need. By the same token, neither will the highest price. Decide what you can realistically afford, and talk to a company about what they will offer in that price range. You may need to bump up what you’re willing to spend, or reduce your expectations of what you can get for the money you have. It needs to work for you and most of the time, somewhere in a mid-range price you’ll find a fair product for a fair price. Shop around. You’ll find huge differences between what companies have to offer. Just like with anything else, you may be able to negotiate a deal with someone you really like who’s willing to match a competitor’s price to get your business.

Purchasing a web site design is a big decision, and the reason many small businesses have bad experiences is because they don’t know enough about what they want and need, and don’t understand the language the design company speaks. The best thing you can do is be very clear about what your business needs in a website, and find out as much as you can about the design business. If you speak the same language there will be less chance of misunderstanding and greater clarity in the process. You'll both be happy with the end result.

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Keep your body in a neutral position

This means that your joints are naturally aligned, reducing your risk of stress and strain on the muscles, tendons, and your skeletal system. To achieve a neutral body position:

• Adjust your chair so your thighs are parallel with the floor
• Choose a well-padded chair that supports your back and has lumbar support (or invest in a lumbar support cushion or chair pad – it will more than repay you for your investment with improved back health)
• Your hands, wrists and forearms should be in-line and roughly parallel to the floor.
• Your elbows should be close to your body, bent at a 90- to 120-degree angle
• Your feet should be flat on the floor or supported by a footrest

Move it or lose it

There’s an old saying that your mind can only retain as much as your bottom can endure. It’s true that as soon as our bodies feel discomfort, we are less productive as we become pre-occupied with the discomfort. Your body can only tolerate being in one position for about 20 minutes before it starts to feel uncomfortable. The longer you remain in an uncomfortable position, the more tense your muscles get, and eventually they will revolt. Unfortunately, we’ve taught our minds to override that discomfort, and often barely notice the messages our bodies try to send us. I would sometimes spend several hours without moving any part of my body but my hand on the mouse. It was a wake-up call when I started getting numbness and pins and needles in my neck and down my arm and ended up with so much neck and shoulder pain it took several months of physiotherapy to get back to normal. Combat this syndrome by moving about every 15 minutes. Stand, stretch, walk around or change your position for at least 30 seconds. If you’re the type that tends to forget, set an alarm on your computer to go off at least every half hour to remind you to get up and move.

Walk instead of using the phone

When you need to speak to a co-worker, rather than picking up the phone, take a few minutes to walk to their office and talk to them in person. Stand while you’re having the conversation. Take the long way back to your desk. Heck, even walk up and down a flight or two of stairs to get your heart rate up a couple of times in the day. If you have to leave the office to drive to meetings – park a block farther away so that you can build some walking into your day. Or walk to meetings that are close enough to your office. It may take a few extra minutes, but the time you spend getting a bit of exercise will more than be made up by the increase in overall productivity you’ll achieve by getting your body moving.

Reduce repetitive movements

Movements that you repeat over and over (such as answering the phone or using your computer mouse) can lead to strains and stress on your body, resulting in things like Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, neck and back strain, and tense muscles and/or muscle spasm. Keeping items you use often within arm's reach and using tools, such as a phone headset to reduce repetitive movements can help to reduce repetitive strain injuries.

Avoid monitor madness

Staring at your monitor for hours on end can result in all kinds of stresses and strains – from your eyes to your neck and back. Keep your computer monitor directly in front of you and at least 20 inches away. The top of the screen should be at or below your eye level, and it should be perpendicular to the window (to reduce glare). Look away from your computer screen often to avoid dry eyes and eye fatigue. Take a few minutes to look out your window, or simply close your eyes and give them a rest several times a day.

Be purposeful about your eating during the day

It’s easy to just grab something and eat lunch at your desk while you work but the consequences are great. You’re contributing to the already sedentary job you have, and you’re less conscious of what you eat. Don't keep junk food at your desk. The temptation to snack is too high, and the result is feeling sluggish, tired and unfocused. So make it a habit to have lunch away from your desk. Even if it’s just walking down the hall to the lunch room. Better yet, get outside and go for a half hour walk to clear your head and exercise your body. If you’re a snacker, keep a supply of healthy snacks nearby so you’re not adding empty calories to your daily consumption.

See your chiropractor or physiotherapist or massage therapist regularly

If you work at a computer most of the day, there is no question you will, over time, build up tension in your neck and back. Regular visits to your favourite health practitioner to deal with those tense muscles will improve your overall health, and prevent more serious illnesses with long term implications.

You may not be able to change what is required of you on a day-to-day basis in terms of sitting at your desk, but you can make changes to how you do those things. They may seem small, but each little change you make adds up to a large impact at the end of a day, a week, and a year.

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Reduce fear in customers

In order to reduce your own fear of asking for referrals, work to reduce fear in your customers. Assure them that you will not be stalking their friends and family if they provide you with their names. Assure them that you will be respectful in the sales process. If you’ve built a relationship with your customers based on trust and integrity, their apprehension, if they have any, will likely be diminished quickly with your assurances.

Educate your customers

Tell your customers how you will use the names they provide. Will you be sending them an invitation to an open house? Will you be offering them a first-purchase discount? Will you be telephoning them and requesting a meeting? Being specific with your customers not only diminishes their fear, but also lets them come up with more qualified leads. Maybe Aunt May would love the idea of an open house, but Cousin Joe would respond better to a discount offer. Let your customers know your motives behind your request for referrals. “We’re so glad you’re happy with ………., we would love to give your friends the opportunity to enjoy it too. Would you be willing to give us a referral?” Educating your customers about why and how you will deal with the referrals they give you makes it more comfortable for them to hand over those names.

Ask for referrals

Once you’ve done your homework, don’t forget the important step of actually asking for the referral. Many people chicken out at this point. They work to reduce fear, educate their customers, but fall short of actually asking for the names. Be specific – how many names would you like? Can you offer something to your customer to show your appreciation for their willingness to give their referrals? For some this a motivator. For others, the good service you’ve provided is enough.

Prove yourself to both the referred customer and the one who gave you the referral

Once you’ve received the referral, make sure you capitalize on it. You may only have one chance to make an impression, and the way you treat the referral not only affects your potential relationship with that customer, but may also affect your future relationship with the client who gave you the referral. If you don’t WOW Aunt May with your service, your customer will hear about it. After all, Aunt May went on their word! A referral gone bad is an embarrassment to the person who made it, and your customer may think twice before using you again, even if they have been a loyal customer. Your customer’s referral is a precious commodity so treat it with care. Make sure you exceed expectations.

Referrals are a fabulous way to increase sales and expand your customer base, but they are also a huge responsibility. Your customers’ reputations are on the line, and you can be assured if you blow it with their referral, more people will hear about it. Take referrals seriously, treat them with the care and respect they deserve, and you will reap the benefits for your business.

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