Finally, it's important to work with the right agency. There are a lot of elements that go into website development, and you should work with an agency that has a deep understanding of all of them. Review your goals in each of these areas and find a team that is dedicated to your business and meeting your expectations.
What kind of experience do they have in creating similar sites? What's their track record of success?
How fast can they have your site done, and how much will it cost?
Can they provide simple mockups or ideas before you sign a contract?
I hope this article has given you some good ideas for how to communicate with your development agency. If you give careful consideration to each of these areas, you should come away with a site that works for your business.
Let me know about your successes or failures—what's worked for you in the past? How have you defined your expectations?