EV - I feel your pain!

Have you ever had a bad experience with an off shore call centre? The analogy works well when it comes to software of web development.

Your technology partner needs to communicate regularly with you at every step of the way in order to avoid scope creep and they need to be across your entire business strategy or at the very least your online strategy.

We are currently seeing a trend in Australia where some of the larger companies are coming back to us to 'recover' some of the failed projects that they have attempted to off shore.

This doesn't mean that off shoring is always a bad idea but you need to be aware of the pitfalls.

As far as ever being satisfied... What works today is outdated tomorrow. Have the site built in a way that is highly adaptive and scalable so that the lifetime of the investment is extended.

Have fun, regardless its all part of the adventure!