Even if you don't hire us to design your web site, there are 4 necessary elements of form and function that your site should contain:

1) Navigation: The site should be easy to navigate and the menu items should easily accessible from any page. The viewer should always know exactly where the are on the site and have easy access to where they would like to be. A site map is a great idea and will be used if available. This sounds elementary but most sites could be improved in this area. Remember, there is a fine line between an interactive menu and an annoying one, so functionality should be the idea.

2) Visual Design: People are visually oriented creatures, and utilizing great graphics is a good way to make your site more appealing. However, it's important not to go overboard with too much. Scrolling text, animation, and flash intros should be used sparingly and only to emphasis a point or 2 for maximum effect.

3) Content: This is the backbone of your website. Not only does your content play a major role in your search engine placement, it is the reason most visitors access your site. Your text should be informative, easy to read, and concise. Well thought out content will do more than anything else to make your site engaging, effective and popular.

4) Web Friendly: No matter how informative, beautiful, and easy to use your web site is, it's useless unless it's web-friendly. It is important that your web designer know the keys to making your site work on all the major browsers, utilizing metatags, and the many other factors that effect your search engine placement and visual appearance of your site.

For these reasons it is important to choose a web design firm that considers all these aspects. Choose one that is part educator, part artist, and part geek. Choose wisely and good luck!