If you are looking to have a website created then you may want to use someone local. There are many advantages to using a local web designer and programmer. It can make it easier when it comes to discussing ideas and passing material between the two parties. Firstly you will need to find a web developer that can produce quality work at a price you are comfortable with. It may be that you chose a freelance programmer to keep the costs down over a web agency but be aware that your project may take longer this way.

Most companies will either use a web programmer that has been recommended to them by someone else or they may search online. If you use Google to search for a programmer or web agency localised results are often shown first making it is easy to see how far these people are away from you. 

Once you have found a number of web developers that you may be interested in using you need to do a bit of research to see if you can find any reviews on them and also find examples of their work.  If you are happy with what you see, then get in touch and arrange an initial meeting. Make sure that you have a good idea of what you want to spend on your website and what you would like included in it before you go to the initial meeting. Often agencies and freelancers will not charge for this initial meeting so you can meet with a few different ones before you make your decision.