All your internal departments have met and the mandate to build or redesign your intranet is on the table. How do you choose a vendor to build what you need and not get taken for a ride? What are the things to look for in a vendor that will give an indication whether it will be a match made in heaven or a train wreck in the making?

Having introduced hundreds of clients to Web development agencies and experienced first-hand the preparations, pitch meetings and final outcomes of scores of these encounters, I have extracted 8 important factors to consider in the evaluation of a Web design agency to build your intranet:

Chemistry
Budget
Aligned Expectations
Expertise
Process
Communication
References
Scope

Chemistry
There is more to choosing a Web developer than just judging their design portfolio, technical expertise and prices. Chemistry between client and developer is one of the most significant factors in creating a successful working relationship/partnership. When you meet with a potential developer assess if it is a good personality fit. Find out who your project manager will be, discuss your work-style with the development team and give the developer a sense of the personalities that they will be dealing with on the client side. Judge how comfortable you feel with the work-style of the developer you are interviewing. If you get a sense of a developer's willingness to accommodate changes and their commitment to your project for the long-term it will be much easier to deal with the inevitable obstacles that arise during the development process.

Budget
You should work with a developer who typically builds sites within your budget range. Remember to keep your desires in line with your budget. View their work on similar projects and ask them to discuss how they can translate their past experience into a value-add for your project.

Aligned Expectations
Make sure that expectations are realistic with the constraints of technology and your budget. Have a clear understanding of the capabilities and limitations of the technology that your budget can allow. A good developer will guide you in the possibilities available and the costs involved. They should be willing to propose several solutions. Discuss and agree upon such crucial components such as the timeline, process and deliverables in writing and you can be assured of a smoother process. You'll want to choose an agency with whom you have aligned goals and synergy.

Expertise
It is important to choose a developer who has the desired design capabilities and technological know-how to execute the site you want. Note if a Web developer has a special interest or experience in your industry. They should have prior experience in developing the type of site and tools that your Web initiative will require. They should display enthusiasm for your project and actively engage in suggesting possibilities for you to consider. The firm you choose may also be able to assist you in modifying your business practices, architecting your information and advising you strategically on technology. Try to evaluate if the agency is particularly interested in the prospect of working with *your* company and helping you meet your goals, and is not merely taking on the project for a learning experience or for monetary reasons.

Process
Be aware of who will be the designated point person on both the agency and the client side. Know whose input and approval is required to make each decision in order to proceed past each milestone. The more effectively you can anticipate any potential bottlenecks, the easier it will be to prevent them. Understand how the milestones will be laid out through the timeline of the project and who will be responsible to keep the project on track. Make special note of deliverables and deadlines and make sure you feel comfortable with the ability of both sides to meet the agreed-upon timelines and goals.

Communication
A good channel of communication between client and developer fosters an easier building process. Projects can get off track when clients and developers fail to communicate regularly. It is important that both parties have complete awareness of any obstacles, budget constraints, changes to scope and scheduling problems that may arise throughout the course of the site development. If you are working with one or more outside developers or internal departments you will want to evaluate the ability of the Web developer to interact with the different parties and their past experience in doing so.

References
In assessing a firm, speak to their references, view their work, spend some time with them going over your ideas. Ask about their client retention rate. Find out how their existing clients feel about the experience of working with them. Additionally, you might check on their financial stability. In choosing the right Web developer they can become your partner for future work. It is wiser to be careful in the initial decision and find a long-term partner than to shop for a new developer with each project.

Scope
When determining the goals of your project make sure the objectives and limitations are clear, otherwise the project may take on a life of its own and quickly outgrow its budget. "Scope Creep" is what happens when a project grows into something unexpectedly larger. It is also a result of a miscalculation or underestimation of the size of a project. A thorough, well-written scope of work is essential to a successful project.