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So you have decided that it is time to update that old corporate website that the intern made for you in 2001. You need to hire a web development company, but how do you even know where to start?

Here are the top five tips for choosing the right web development company.

1. Look for a physical contact address

Often a web development company will simply put a contact form on their website and offer no other method to contact them like a phone number or an address. A business that is serious about its customers will make no attempt to hide their location and make it as easy as possible for people to contact them.

2. Ask for a portfolio of past work

Beware of any company that doesn’t provide a portfolio on their website, they may be new or not have enough satisfied customers to showcase. If a company does give its portfolio take the time to contact some of the featured sites to get an independent opinion about the web development company.

3. Get a contract signed

Regardless of the size of the project you are looking to get done, you should always get a signed contract which stipulates what is expected from both parties. The contract is a signed document that can be used in cases of disagreements.

4. Test the company with a small project first

Before going ahead and signing a $50,000 contract, test out various companies with smaller projects of less than $1,000 to see how they handle communication, updates and your feedback. Spending this money now can save you thousands in the long run.

5. Cheapest isn’t always the best

There are web development companies in developing countries that will charge the equivalent of a few dollars a day to win your contract. Approach these quotes with caution as web development requires highly sskilled and professional people. No matter which country the company is located in, charging just a few dollars is a sure sign that they are not in a position to handle your project.

Taking the time to find the right web development company can be a long process, but it’s definitely worth it in the long run. The tips given above apply to both onshore (ie. American) and offshore (ie. Indian) companies.