I am in the market to redesign my company website.

A few months ago, I put version 1.0 of the Twin Roots website out to the public. It is based on a free template that I thought was interesting and relatively unique (for something that is free). But I knew all along that it was only a temporary stopgap until I decided I wanted to get serious and get a more permanent design for Twin Roots established.

Well that time has come, and you know what, I am as confused and perplexed as ever on where to begin. Here are some things I know:

• I am not a good front end or graphic designer. I have no shame in admitting that. Thus, that’s why I am looking around for a “3rd party” alternative.
• I am open to free templates, free templates that can be modified, paid templates, or a real life person doing the web design
• I am willing to pay money for the website design (whether template or web designer), but I am not willing to break the bank. For what I currently want, I have a top threshold price that I know I shouldn’t go over.
• I want a clean, crisp look (see below for examples of sites that I really like)
• I have no e-commerce need yet; this is currently a purely informational site
• I like my logo; simple, clean, yet unique. So I want that incorporated into the site.

But, where to start is actually quite mind boggling. There are an infinite number of template websites, tons of “Bid For Design” sites, many individual website designers offering their services (but whom I don’t know personally), etc. Do I use a WordPress CMS theme or something else? Many questions are running through my mind.

Here is what I found in my research:

• Site Designs I like: Slicehost, Datamartist, ReliableSite.net (no they are not my host), Kirix, Panopta, GoalComposer, MacRabbit (I get a lot of my impressions from the sites of the good people at the Business of Software forum).
• Templates: TemplateMonster, Open Source Web Design, WooThemes, Design Offers at WebhostingTalk
• Bid For Design: 99designs, DesignOutpost,
• Website Designers: Design Offers at WebhostingTalk, Craigslist

And I have just hit the tip of the iceberg.

Any advice on a sane, coherent process to get a new website for my company would be MUCH appreciated.

Thanks.