Developed to help business owners to recognize their needs and help them find a web developer/firm to meet those needs, Developed by MNREM as part of the Minnesota Intelligent Rural Communities (MIRC) initiative.

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How to Hire a Web Developer
Ann Treacy
broadband.mnrem.com

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The Intro
• Know what you want / Assess what you have
• CMS vs HTML
• What is a Web Developer?
• 5 Questions to Ask
• Find a Developer

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Brainstorm Your Wish List
Cool functions!
Sites you hate!Sites you Love!
Think like a Client/Visitor
Time savers for you
Time savers for visitors
Colors, logos, images – Oh my!

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Assess What You Have
• Current Site
• Existing Collateral
– Brochures
– Images, video
• Staff
• Budget
• Timeline

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Compare Wishes with Haves
• Consider administrative
costs of each feature
• Consider business goals
• Think about skills of
current and future staff
• How much help do you
want?

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Mini Lesson: Easy Functionality
• Contact Us form
• Search
• Embed video/audio
• Tie into Social Media
• Traffic Stats
If these are difficult the tool may
be too proprietary. Or the
developer may be inexperienced.

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Content Management System
vs
Custom Built HTML

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Content Management System
Pros
• Easy to maintain
• Readymade templates are
easy to change
• Often works well with
social media
• Often cheaper to set up
• Functionality is predefined
Cons
• Monthly fees maybe high
• May involve proprietary
code
• Some do not allow for
much variation
• Other sites may be similar
• Functionality is predefined

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Custom/HTML
Pros
• Functionality not
predefined
• Unique to you so
greater input
• Generally easier to
move
• Good for high
functioning sites
Cons
• May be difficult to
maintain (require some
expertise)
• May be expensive to set
up
• Requires greater
expertise

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Custom/HTML
HTML CMS

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Mini Lesson: Third Party Tools
• Shopping Carts/Merchant Accounts
• Event Registration
• Webinar Platform
• Video/Audio
• E-newsletters/e-lerts
You don’t have to build from
scratch. Don’t pay someone to
reinvent the wheel unless you
need a very different wheel.
Just make sure your site will work
with third party.

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What is a Web Developer?
• Graphic Artists
• Coders/Programmers
• Writers
• SEO Specialists (Search Engine Optimization)
• Database Developers
• Social Media Specialists
• Web host
• Mobile Site Developers
• General Contractor
Find someone who has the skills
you need most.

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5 Questions to Ask
1. What is your specialty?
2. Will I be able to update my own site? / Would
you be able to update my site?
3. Can you send me some samples and references?
4. Can you tell me about a time you built a site like
mine?
5. Who will I be working with?
As they speak, think about
whether this is someone
you could work with on a
site.

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Mini Lesson: Third Party Tools
• Shopping Carts/Merchant Accounts
• Event Registration
• Webinar Platform
• Video/Audio
• E-newsletters/e-lerts
You don’t have to build from
scratch. Don’t pay someone to
reinvent the wheel unless you
need a very different wheel.

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Remember the old Adage
• Good
• Fast
• Cheap
Chose two.

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Where to Find a Web Developer
• Ask colleagues.
• Ask owners of sites you like.
• Find a MN developer:
http://tinyurl.com/44w3uxt

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The Contract
• Spell out who you are hiring and the work
• Assign responsibilities
• Specific statement of work
• Create a change clause
• Liabilities, ownership
http://24ways.org/2008/contract-killer

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QUESTIONS?
If you have an interest in further training on in your area,
please let us know.
Session will be posted online:
http://www.mnrem.com/blog/