10 Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Web Designer
Hiring a web designer is a big decision. The wrong choice can leave you with a site that looks nice but doesn’t perform, while the right choice can give you a website that becomes your best salesperson. Before you sign a contract, here are 10 questions every small business owner should ask.
❓ 1. What’s Your Process for Building a Website?
A professional designer should have a clear process that covers discovery, design, development, testing, and launch. If they don’t, you may end up with surprises and delays.
💻 2. Will My Website Be Mobile-Friendly?
Responsive design isn’t optional—it’s a must. Make sure your designer builds with mobile in mind from the start.
🔍 3. Do You Include SEO Basics?
Your site needs to be found, not just seen. Ask if the designer includes on-page SEO like meta tags, headers, alt text, and clean code.
⚡ 4. How Fast Will My Website Load?
Speed is critical for both SEO and user experience. A good designer will prioritize performance optimization.
🛠️ 5. Who Handles Maintenance After Launch?
Websites aren’t “set it and forget it.” Ask about ongoing support, updates, and maintenance options.
🔐 6. What Security Measures Do You Use?
Your designer should ensure your site is secure with proper hosting, updates, and protection against common threats.
🧩 7. Will My Website Be Custom to My Business or Just a Template?
Many low-cost designers just install a premade template and swap in your logo and colors. While templates can work, a truly effective business website should be tailored to your brand, your customers, and your goals. Ask whether your site will be customized to fit your business—or if it will look just like hundreds of others online.
🎯 8. Do You Focus on Conversions?
A great website isn’t just pretty—it drives results. Make sure your designer understands how to guide visitors toward calls, bookings, or sales.
📸 9. What About Photos and Content?
Some designers expect you to provide everything. Others can help source images, write copy, or guide you through creating content that works.
📝 10. Do You Provide References or Examples?
A trustworthy designer should be able to show you real examples of past work and connect you with references who can vouch for their results.
Asking these questions before you hire ensures you don’t just get a website—you get a business tool designed to deliver results.
Hire a Web Designer Who Gets It
I help small business owners nationwide build websites that rank higher, convert more visitors, and win customer trust. I’m based on the Space Coast of Florida in Brevard County, serving Palm Bay and Melbourne, FL locally, but I love working with small businesses everywhere to create websites that actually grow their businesses.
The right questions lead to the right designer—and the right website for your business.
