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1. Do a little research.
   Clearly define your market, your audience and their requirements. Keep a record of existing web sites that you like and whose functionality is similar to your needs.
   
   
2. Prepare the basic content structure on your own.
   Provide your designer with a rough outline of the content structure and then write the final content on your own. If you will need to display a corporate logo or brand identity graphics, have them available in digital format preferably as vector image files. Surf the web for images that you feel would be appropriate for your web site and provide your designer with several options.
   
   
3. Have a maintenance plan.
   Web sites are supposed to present the latest and most current information available. Determine how you will handle web site maintenance. Will you perform the task on your own or will you have someone do it for you? What content will need to be maintained and how often?
   
   
4. Plan for change.
   Plan a face lift every two years. The web site designed for you should have the flexibility to adapt to your changes with little or no additional expense.
   
   
5. Communicate clearly and be open to new ideas.
   With any creative service, changes to any deliverable incur additional cost. Simply by the differences in human perception and the restrictions imposed by the medium, it is not always possible to deliver exactly what you had initially envisioned. The key to keeping your budget to a minimum is to communicate your vision as clearly as possible and then to be open-minded and willing to consider alternative possibilities and new ideas.
   
   
6. Plan to add to content on your own.
   If your web site has a CMS, you will be able to use it to add the content on your own which will save a considerable amount of your budget. If your web site has a META management system, you will also be able to save on Search Engine Optimization costs.

The best way to keep costs low is to be independent!