Via somewhere (sorry, infonesia), we find an essay by a Web designer on hiring a Web designer:
What if some of the designers on your list are from out of town? Don’t rule them out if you really like them. If you don’t mind working via email and talking on the phone, you may be quite happy with your choice. There’s always an advantage to meeting in person and onsite visits can be important, especially if there are problems.
It’s a decent article, and I only have one complaint. She offers two long lists of questions you should ask about your requirements and the designer’s portfolio. However, she never suggests that you should ask “do you want an attractive site?” or “do you the designer’s sites appear artful?”
This isn’t surprising, given that the writer is a Web designer. In the designer/client relationship, I guess the former is supposed to be the purveyor and connoisseur of the art. While all that practical information is useful, I’d like to read an article called “What Makes Websites Attractive?” or “From Toulouse-Lautrec to HTML–An Artful Website Primer”.
DarrenBarefoot.com 
Jeepers.
Maybe I should write one. I’m full of opinions on the subject.
I often wonder if professionals who write articles such as “How To Choose A ___ Professional” aren’t simple externalising frustration with clients who don’t seem to “get” the “professional’s” mindset.
I’ve seen “What Makes A Good Client” (I can’t remember where), and I doubt I would hire such a “professional”. I know it’s not the same thing, but I suspect it attacks the same problem, albeit from the opposite side of the table.
Interesting thought, though.
Back to the attractive sites thing. I’m glad you chose me as your designer. You liked the style, and substance of my work, but it was entirely a personal subjective evaluation.
I don’t know that I, as a designer, would want to taint that process by a) attempting to understand your subjective feelings on what is attractive or b) suppose to TELL you how to choose me as your designer. I mocked up, you fed back. We steered it together.
So I suppose I missed the point of her article.