Often, when helping small businesses optimize and improve their websites, I am struck at how similar the initial consultation goes: "my website isn't getting found" and/or "my website is not working for me." Here are some "truth about websites" tips that can help put you ahead of the competition.

Design it right, right now. Now is the time to get up to speed- or ahead of your competition- on the internet. If you are making sales offline, you could be making more sales by building and promoting a great small business website.

Common obstacles a business owner creates for himself or herself:

• "I made this site myself with Dreamweaver/SiteBuilder/Frontpage or with some "Free" online website builder.

• "The last website I had done for just X dollars."

• "My website guy/gal says that can't be done." or "I don't do that."

• "The website guy/gal who created my website won't return my calls" or "went out of business" or others

These comments pretty much speak for themselves as to why the business owner is frustrated with his online business experience. Little value was placed on the effort, and little value (or, no value at all) was returned. Actually, even worse, the business owner probably spent 20 to 100 hours of his/her time seeking the "cheap" solution, and that was time away from what the owner does best.

So, the advice here would be to hire a professional. But, interview and hire the right professional.

How to interview the professional? Interview the professional and understand how you will get solid value, solid service, and solid results. Some areas to discuss:

• Show me your portfolio.

• Are you full-service? Discuss all your services.

• Do you know how to promote a website? Discuss/show me your internet marketing plans and campaigns.

• How many points of contact will I have for the project? Explain how responsive you will be.

• Go over the short-term goals of the project.

• Go over the long-term goals of the project.

• Show me/discuss with me your contract for my project.

• Discuss pricing, and options.

• Why should I choose you, how do you stand apart?

You really will want to find an online business consultant, not just a "website jockey" if you want to succeed on the internet. You should be comfortable with this person and should feel you will get solid value, solid service and solid results.