Choosing a web designer is like choosing a builder. Everyone says they're great, their quotes vary by 500%, and you won't know if you've made a mistake until you're halfway through and it's too late to change. This guide is written by someone who's been on both sides — 22 years building websites and watching clients come to us after bad experiences elsewhere.

Check Their Portfolio (Properly)

Don't just look at the screenshots. Visit the actual websites. Are they still live? Do they load fast? Are they mobile-friendly? Check the sites on your phone. If a designer's portfolio sites are slow, broken, or outdated, that tells you everything about their ongoing commitment to quality. Also check if the sites in their portfolio are real businesses — some designers pad portfolios with fictional projects or template demos.

Questions to Ask Before Hiring

Who will actually build my site? (Some agencies outsource to freelancers.) Will I own the code and design when it's finished? (Some designers retain ownership.) What happens if I want to leave — can I take my site with me? What CMS will you use and can I update content myself? What's included in the price and what costs extra? Do you handle hosting and ongoing support? Can I speak to previous clients?

Red Flags to Avoid

No phone number on their website. No physical address. Hourly billing with no estimate (costs spiral). Promises of "page one Google ranking" (nobody can guarantee this). Uses only website builders like Wix or Squarespace but charges custom development prices. Won't provide a written contract. Asks for full payment upfront. Can't explain their process clearly. Their own website is slow or broken.

Understanding Pricing Models

Fixed price means you know exactly what you'll pay before work starts. This is what we use and what we recommend. Hourly rate means you're paying for time, not results — and you have no control over how long things take. Monthly subscription means you don't own anything and you're paying forever. Cheap isn't always bad and expensive isn't always good — but if a quote is significantly lower than everyone else's, ask why.

Contracts and Ownership

Get a written contract. It should cover: total cost, payment schedule, timeline, what's included, revision rounds, who owns the code and design, what happens if either party wants to cancel, and hosting/maintenance terms. If a designer won't give you a contract, walk away. If their contract says they retain ownership of the code, negotiate or walk away.

What Happens After the Build

The most overlooked question. Your website needs hosting, security updates, content changes, and occasional fixes. Ask your designer: Do you offer ongoing support? How much does it cost? What's the response time? Can I reach a human? The best website in the world is worthless if there's nobody to maintain it six months after launch.

The Bottom Line

Choose a designer with a proven track record, a clear process, fixed pricing, and ongoing support. Check their portfolio properly, ask the right questions, and get everything in writing. A good web designer should make you feel confident, not confused. If they can't explain what they do in plain English, they probably can't do it very well either.

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