I recently wanted a new logo for my website SellersToolbox.com. I was worried that I would hire someone, it take a long time, and spends lots of money doing it. I was told about 99designs.com and decided to give it a try. I have never used these outsourcing sites but the prospect of hiring someone close by who could do the job as cheaply wasn't looking good.

I emailed them to ask a number of questions. I got answers to all of them from a person there who wasn't pushy or eager to make a sale. I wasn't ready to start the project right then and he didn't pressure me to do so. About 3 weeks later I created a contest and waited for things to happen. I got a few designs initially and provided a little feedback. Things didn't take off until around the middle of the week and then near the end a few really good designers jumped in. I ended up liking 2 of the designs so much I bought both of them. I can use one for a mobile phone button while the other one is being used for the website logo.

I highly recommend choosing a company to work with based on their support, feedback, and ability to deliver. There were other options, a number of them cheaper, but I feel like I got my money's worth and then some. It was a good experience and has opened me up to outsourcing more work. There are only so many hours and when there is a ton to do, and getting good help now seems like a definite possibility.