Part 3 - how to use the brief
Use the brief in your first approach to web design companies: extract the main points into a couple of paragraphs which you can use in your initial letter, phone call or e-mail. The companies' responses should enable you to draw up a short list of 3 or 4 consultants.
Use the brief to request a fee proposal: invite each of your short listed companies to a meeting to discuss the full brief so that they can provide a detailed fee proposal. Don't expect costings on the spot - good designers will need to go away and put some thought into their proposal. This raises the question of whether you need to meet face to face. Personally, I prefer to meet the people I'm planning on doing business with. However, if you're on a tight budget, the designer may be able to save time (and money) by taking your brief by phone and e-mail. You wouldn't expect to pay up front for briefing meetings but whoever wins the job will certainly have calculated the cost of travel and meetings into their fee proposal.
Your chosen designer can use the brief to draw up a project specification: this will explain how the design company is going to meet your brief. For a simple site the brief and the designer's fee proposal document may do the job. For more complex sites there will be additional information such as timings for different stages and technical specifications. Note that a major project may require a research phase before the final specification can be written.
In conclusion: a well prepared brief saves time and makes sure that everyone knows what you expect from the project.
