Shop around and view samples. Your largest expenditure will be in this area and there are some things you can do to help reduce time and costs. Layout your site in a story-board format, this will show the flow of your pages. Does the Web Site designer have the script or coding already done. Or is it already available online.
Good programmers have the code or access to the resource.
View the designer's sites online for function, format, and style E-mail the Web Site owners about their experience with the individual and functionality of their pages. Don't put all your efforts into complicated graphics, studies have shown users want content, and content fast, use text where appropriate. Some of the information is basic, but you don't want to go online without support, or have a Web Site that doesn't work, or gives your users error messages all the time. There are a variety of options available. Local Internet Service providers will obviously be your first visit.