April 2026 · 8 min read
How to Choose a Web Designer: 10 Questions to Ask
Choosing a web designer is like choosing a builder for your house. The cheap quote might sound great until you're three months in, the project is half-finished, and they've stopped returning your calls. The expensive agency might deliver beautifully — but at a price that makes no sense for a small business.
Here are 10 questions that will help you tell the professionals from the time-wasters — and find the right person to build your website.
1. Can I see examples of websites you've built for businesses like mine?
Portfolio websites all look impressive — but what matters is whether they've built something relevant to your industry. A designer who specialises in creative agencies may not understand what a plumbing business needs.
Good sign: They show you real client sites (not just dribbble mockups) and can explain the reasoning behind design decisions.
Warning sign: They only show one style of work, or their 'portfolio' is full of personal projects and concept designs.
2. Will I own the website when it's done?
Some designers and agencies retain ownership of the code, the domain, or the hosting — which means you can't leave without starting over. This is more common than you'd think, especially with cheaper providers.
Good sign: Yes, unequivocally. The code, domain, and content are yours. They'll even help you transfer if you ever want to move.
Warning sign: 'You own the design but we host it' or vague answers about proprietary platforms.
3. What happens after the website launches?
A website isn't a one-time project — it needs updates, security patches, content changes, and occasional fixes. If the designer disappears after launch, you're stuck.
Good sign: They have a clear maintenance plan with defined scope (e.g. '5 changes per month, security updates included'). Bonus if they're available via WhatsApp or direct message, not just email tickets.
Warning sign: 'We can discuss that later' or no mention of post-launch support at all.
4. Is the price all-inclusive, or are there extras?
The biggest complaint in the web design industry: hidden costs. Hosting fees that weren't mentioned. Extra charges for mobile responsiveness. 'Phase 2' that doubles the original quote.
Good sign: Clear pricing document that lists exactly what's included and what's extra. No ambiguity.
Warning sign: 'It depends' without specifics, or a quote that feels suspiciously low for what's promised.
5. How do you handle SEO?
A beautiful website that nobody can find on Google is a beautiful waste of money. SEO should be built into the foundations — not treated as an afterthought or upsell.
Good sign: SEO is included as standard: proper page titles, meta descriptions, heading structure, fast load times, mobile-first design, schema markup.
Warning sign: 'SEO is a separate service' or they don't mention it at all.
6. What's your process? What do I need to do?
You need to understand what's expected of you (content, photos, feedback) and what timeline to expect. A good process means fewer surprises and a better result.
Good sign: They have a defined workflow: brief → design → review → build → test → launch. They tell you exactly what they need from you and when.
Warning sign: 'Just send us your logo and we'll sort the rest' or no clear timeline.
7. Will my website be mobile-responsive?
In 2026, this should be a given — but it's worth confirming. Some designers still deliver desktop-first sites where mobile is a squeezed afterthought.
Good sign: 'Mobile-first' — they design for phones first and scale up. They test on real devices, not just by resizing a browser.
Warning sign: 'Yes, it'll be responsive' but they can't show you mobile examples of their work.
8. What happens if I don't like the design?
Design is subjective. You need to know what happens if the first draft isn't right. Some designers charge per revision; others include unlimited rounds until you're happy.
Good sign: Revisions are included during the build. They show you progress throughout — not a big reveal at the end.
Warning sign: 'Two rounds of revisions, then it's £X per change' or no revision policy at all.
9. Are you using a template or building from scratch?
There's nothing wrong with templates for some businesses. But if you're paying for 'custom design,' you should get custom design. Ask directly.
Good sign: They're transparent about their approach. If they use a framework (like Next.js or WordPress), they explain what's custom and what's pre-built.
Warning sign: Evasive answers, or the price seems too low for truly custom work. A custom site takes weeks, not days.
10. Can I talk to a previous client?
The ultimate test. A designer confident in their work will happily connect you with a past client. If they can't (or won't), that tells you something.
Good sign: They offer references proactively, or have real testimonials with full names and businesses.
Warning sign: 'We can't share client details' or reviews that read like they were written by AI.
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