How to Choose a Web Designer: 10 Questions to Ask Before You Hire
Hiring a web designer? Ask these 10 questions about process, SEO, speed, ownership, pricing and support to choose the right person and avoid costly mistakes.
A website is one of the biggest marketing investments a small business makes — and choosing the wrong designer can mean a pretty site that nobody finds, a slow site that nobody stays on, or a site you can’t change without paying again.
Portfolios only tell part of the story. These ten questions reveal how a designer actually works, and what you will really get for your money.
1. What is your process from start to launch?
A good designer can explain clear stages: discovery, structure and content, design, development, testing and launch. Vague answers usually lead to missed deadlines and endless revisions.
2. How will the website help me get more customers?
Look for someone who asks about your goals, audience and competitors before talking about colours. A business website should guide visitors to an action — a call, a booking or an enquiry — not just look nice.
3. Is the site built with SEO in mind?
Ask specifically about page titles, heading structure, URL structure, structured data, sitemaps and redirects from your old site. Design and SEO decisions are connected: a beautiful site that isn’t indexable is a very expensive brochure. My SEO checklist for new websites shows what should be covered.
4. How fast will the website be?
Speed affects both rankings and conversions. Ask what PageSpeed and Core Web Vitals results the designer usually achieves, and how they handle images, fonts and scripts. Heavy page builders and stacks of plugins are a common cause of slow sites.
5. Will it work perfectly on mobile?
Most visitors arrive on phones. The designer should design mobile layouts deliberately — not just let the desktop design shrink — and test on real devices.
6. Who owns the website, domain and accounts?
You should own your domain, hosting account, website files, content and every analytics or advertising account. Avoid arrangements where the designer keeps the domain or the site can’t be moved.
7. Can I update the content myself?
If you want to edit text, images or blog posts, ask which system the site is built on and whether training is included. If you prefer the designer to handle updates, agree on how changes are requested and priced.
8. What exactly is included in the price?
Clarify the number of pages, revisions, copywriting, images, contact forms, integrations, SEO setup and analytics. A cheaper quote often excludes things you will need later.
9. What happens after launch?
Websites need updates, backups and security monitoring. Ask whether the designer offers a maintenance plan, how quickly they respond to problems, and what support costs once the project is finished.
10. Can you show results, not just screenshots?
Ask how past projects performed after launch: more enquiries, better rankings, faster load times. Real outcomes matter more than attractive mockups.
Red flags to watch for
- No questions about your business, only about your favourite colours.
- A price that seems too good to be true, with no clear scope.
- No mention of mobile, speed or SEO.
- Refusal to transfer ownership of your domain or files.
- No written proposal or timeline.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a small business website cost?
It depends on the number of pages, custom features and content. Get two or three itemised quotes and compare what is included, not just the total.
Template or custom design?
A well-chosen template can work for a tight budget. A custom design makes sense when you need to stand out, convert better or build features a template can’t support — and it is usually faster, because it contains only what you need.
How long does it take to build a website?
A typical business website takes two to five weeks, depending on the number of pages, how ready your content is and how quickly feedback is given.
Looking for a web designer who also handles SEO?
I design fast, mobile-first websites that are built to rank and convert — and I can take care of SEO, hosting and maintenance too. See my web design service or ask me anything about your project.