What should I ask a web designer SEO before hiring.

[robinantill]

Hi,
I hope this is the right section to ask this question.

What advice can you give me to give to my collegue who is thinking of getting a rewrite of his web site and search optimised?

What questions should he be asking and what answers should he expect to receive?

What should he expect the results to say?

What time scale?

Should he go ahead on a verbal basis and brief written details?

I know what I think but I would appreciate your thoughts.

His existing site has been online for a few years but is nowhere to speak of in Google.

Thanks,
Robin

[opifex]

Expect some comments to the contrary .... but here goes. Pricing really depends on a few factors ... where you live, availability of local talent, complexity of the site and complexity of the changes.
Optimization is a dirty word tome ... this is part of the job of a webmaster. If the designer ia a different person, the webmaster needs to understand the design in order to maintain the site. Optimization is really keeping the site up to date in accordance with the needs of the owner and the requirements of decent serp positioning for the "correct" keywords for the site.
Always best to have a written contract that defines the rights and obligations of both parties. This would include the time period to revamp the site and the site maintenance contract for keeping the site "optimized" on an ongoing basis and accomadating any changes to the site.
Hope this helps.