A web development company should:

• Have five or more years in business as a firm, or working together (for partner organization teams) on Web site development , design anbd hosting solutions
• Implement a variety of web -related solutions such as content management systems, hosting solutions, online commerce , and custom integrations
• Have excellent customer service, support and R&D policies to ensure a smooth long term relationship.
• Have a good customer reference and track record for website development
• Be competitively priced (e.g. provide significant value for their fees)
• Have international certifications and awards to validate their claims

• Look for companies where web design and development form a core part of their business activities.
  
• Be careful not to engage with agencies that are "creative" houses for your website. In most cases, these are companies that specialize in advertising and promotions, and website development forms only a 'by request' part of their services.
• If you are serious about your website, do not work with independent designers, or freelancers, that have a "portfolio". Communication, support, flexibility and quality of service are all areas in which you will suffer.
• Technology firms that plan and implement organizational IT strategies, including Web sites

• Here's what you will want to discuss in your meeting:
  • Very briefly outline your site's development timeframe, scope and budget
  • Ask about:
    • Design and development processes. A good web solutions company maintains international standards for design and development processes and project management.
    • Client mix –Ask about the company's experience with various business segments.
    • As in detail, about their customer service policies and support agreements.
    • Diversity of their web- enabled products and services

• Once you have these answers listed above, and review the sites mentioned by each firm, you'll have a good sense of the firms you'll want to bid on your RFP.

  Send it out to no more than three firms . You've already done the front work to ensure that the proposals submitted will be serious contenders. If you must, send it out to four firms.

  When you receive the proposals, make sure you ask about any content you don't understand.

  Begin by evaluating each proposal individually. Evaluate not just what's included in each proposal, but the proposal tone and comprehensiveness. Weigh in on each firm's potential as a long-term partner.

  Once that's complete, compare the proposals. How do they fare in terms of presentation? How do their processes appear in terms of project management? Do they present scalability and/or upgrade paths for your project, that go beyond the needs of the goals outlined for the next site?

  Before you make a decision, arrange an in-person meeting (if possible) with the finalist firm. If a demo presentation is needed, do not hesitate to ask for one.