Where to look.
WHERE GOOD ONES COME FROM
Recommendation from someone whose site you admire Businesses similar to yours Local networks
WHAT TO CHECK
Work they have actually done Whether those sites still exist and work Whether their clients would recommend them
THE STILL-EXISTS CHECK
Look at sites in their portfolio.
Are they live? Do they work on a phone? Are they fast?
THAT TELLS YOU A GREAT DEAL
WHAT TO ASK PREVIOUS CLIENTS
Whether the project finished on time Whether the cost matched the quote Whether they respond after launch Whether they would use them again
THAT THIRD QUESTION
The most revealing.
Many developers are responsive until payment and unavailable afterwards.
WHAT TO BE WARY OF
No verifiable previous work Reluctance to give references Unwillingness to answer direct questions Extremely low prices
WHAT NOT TO DECIDE ON
Price alone.