Picking the wrong web designer is an expensive mistake. You can end up with a site that looks fine but wins no work, or worse, one you cannot edit and a designer who has vanished. The good news is you can spot the right person with a handful of straight questions. Here are the eight to ask before you sign anything.
1. Can I see examples of real businesses you have helped?
A pretty portfolio is not enough. Ask to see live sites for businesses like yours, and if you can, ask what those sites achieved. Anyone can make something look nice for a screenshot. You want someone who builds sites that actually do a job.
2. What is included in the price, and what is not?
This is where cheap quotes hide their gaps. Does the price include the design, the build, testing, basic search setup, and training? Or are those extras that appear later? Get the full scope in writing so there are no surprises.
3. Will the site work properly on a phone?
More than half your visitors will be on a mobile, so this is non-negotiable. A good designer treats mobile as the starting point, not an afterthought. Ask to see one of their sites on your own phone.
4. Who owns the website and the domain?
You would be amazed how often a business does not actually own its own site. Make sure the domain is registered in your name, and that you will have full access to the website and its files. You should never be held hostage by your designer.
5. Will I be able to update it myself?
You will want to change text, add a page or swap a photo without paying every time. Ask what system they build on and whether they will show you how to make simple edits. A short handover session is worth a lot.
6. How will you help people find the site on Google?
A website nobody can find is a poster in a locked room. You are not expecting full SEO from a build, but the basics should be there: sensible page titles, descriptions, fast loading and a clean structure. Ask how they handle it.
7. What happens after launch?
This is the question that separates the professionals. What support do you get once the site is live? Is there a warranty period, a maintenance option, someone to call if something breaks? A designer who disappears at launch is a red flag.
8. How long will it take, and how do we keep it on track?
Get a realistic timeline and find out what they need from you to hit it (content and photos are usually the hold-up). Clear communication and a simple plan are good signs. Vague answers are not.
A quick note on price
Cheaper is not always better, and dearer is not always safer. The real question is value: will this site earn back what it costs in enquiries? A slightly higher price that includes strategy, testing and support often works out far cheaper than a bargain site you have to rebuild in a year.
The bottom line
The right web designer is a partner, not just a supplier. They ask about your business, explain things in plain English, build something you own and can manage, and stay around after launch. Ask these eight questions and the right choice usually becomes obvious.
If you would like a straight, no-jargon conversation about your website, book a free consultation. We are happy to answer all eight questions and more.
Vioscale Technologies designs websites and builds AI-powered solutions for small businesses across the UK. See our web design service.