I am looking to develop my own website but would like to know where I can go and find some good rates based on my specifications. My budged is around ~$2000 and the website I am looking for will be database-driven where users will create memberships and post blogs. I am familiar with basic web design/programming and web hosting but don't have any good skills in designing such a complicated website. Any feed back will be much appreciated. Thanks.

1. Start by asking for examples of their work and references for those examples. You'll know right off the bat by looking at their work if you're going to like the design that you get.
2. Be up front and ask how what their rates are and what's included with their services.
3. Who is going to do the hosting once the project, you or them? Find out if they do hosting or can recommend a hosting provider.
4. Ask how many people are going to be doing the work and what each one is going to be doing. User Experience, Page Layout, HTML Coding, Back end Coding, Infrastructure, etc...
5. For any code that's done make sure you can get the source code and find out what they plan on writing it in. If you've done programming it would be worthwhile to see if you can get it done in a language you know.
6. If you talk to any off-shore firms check the hours that they're available... communication is always critical and it can be even tougher with anyone that's on a different continent that you are.
7. Travel expenses... it's great to be able to do things over the web but sometimes the best work is done in person... find out if and how much they charge for travel expenses if needed.

Thank you!

I have had a little experience building web sites -- and feel you should find someone

Like jstrike suggests -- Finding someone locally would be high on my list

I have dealt with many others through eBay and find communication to be an issue

Although they speak English we are not always on the same page -- uk or canada

And humor in Australia is not the same -- Thank god everybody isn't the same