For many website owners, web development (or website development) is the most intimidating step in starting a website.  The design they can see, the content they can read, but the web development process is shrouded in mystery.  They know it happens, but they have no idea how. 

This is natural, actually.  To build any website of substance you need experienced engineers, designers and production specialists.  Any sufficiently advanced piece of technology, is in the end, a little bit like magic, unless of course one is trained in the particular field. 

Nevertheless every website owner show know how to assess the workmanship on the website (and the high-level quality of the work that was done by the web development company).

1. Fast. This may be the only thing that matters.  You could do everything else right, and still fail if your pages load too slowly.

2. Compatible. People will use your website with a wide range of computers, browsers, and connection speeds.  Your website does not have to look the same in all browsers - it does not even have to look good in all web browsers - but it should work for the vast majority of users.

3.  Reliable.  Customers expect your website to work consistently and reliably, just as they expect their TV to turn on or their newspaper to be delivered.  Your website should always be available, the pages and images should always load, and the applications should return correct results.

4.  Accessible.  What is true in the real world, is true online: It is good business to make your website accessible to the disabled.  you should offer a coherent, if not equivalent, experience to users who are sight- or hearing-impaired.  It's smart.  And in some cases, it's the law.

5. Build to last.  When you bring your company online, it should be an investment in your future.  Your website should be built to function not only in today's web browsers, but future devises as well.  To ensure longevity, build the site in compliance with industry standards.