This could well be one of the most important business decisions that you make in your corporate life. Reason, if you make a mistake, it could prove to be disastrous.

Here are some hard questions to ask?

1. How many years has the company been in business?
   
   Experience in designing for Middle East market is important. Protect your investment by ensuring that a 'fly-by-night' operator does not leave your virtual presence hanging in cyber space.



2. How many customers does the company have?
   
   Begin by checking if the company has an impressive web presence and a corporate brochure of its own. If it has less then a dozen clients, it is probably still getting its act together! Check out the local Yellow Pages.



3. How many web designers and programmers does the company employ in-house?
   
   Incase, the company outsources design or programming activities, you are likely to face inordinate delays and communication problems. Check for updated technology skill sets.



4. Where is the company's office?
   
   You will be surprised by the fact that many operators operate from virtual offices. There are no Trade Licences! LLC or Establishment? Go for a brick and mortar company with a local presence.



5. Is the company profitable?
   
   It becomes important to ask this question to ensure continuity of services.



6. Does the company implement 'Best Practices'?
   
   An extremely important factor to consider before you discover that your web site does not show up right in different computers/platforms/screen resolutions/.....



7. Has the company won any awards for the sites that they have designed?
   
   While not a 'must', its nice to know that you are working with an award winning company. After all, your web site is your face to the world.



8. Does the company provide all internet services under one roof?
   
   If you have to go to 3 different vendors for establishing, maintaining and promoting your web site, it is not such a good idea! Check for 24/7 online support.



9. Is the company cost effective and does it deliver on time?
   
   It should not cost an 'arm and a leg' to get a presence on the web. And since it is not rocket science it should not take more than a couple of weeks to set-you up and by the same token updates should be done, same/next business day.



10. How easy was it to find the company, online and in the real world?
    
    If the company's own site is not very easy to find, there is a good chance yours will be harder!
    
    If you want to be absolutely sure of taking the right decision, do take a few minutes to speak with a few existing clients of the prospective vendor, before you sign the advance cheque!