Hiring a web designer feels risky because most of us cannot judge the work. The good news is you do not need to. You just need to ask a few plain questions and listen to how they answer.
These work on anyone, including us. We have put our own answers beside them, so you can hold us to them.
1. Is the price fixed, and is it in writing?
A good answer is a number, a written scope, and a clear point at which it can change. Be careful of hourly rates with no limit, or answers like "it depends" with nothing on paper.
Ours: builds start from $2,000 and most land between $2,000 and $3,000, agreed in writing before work starts. More in what a website actually costs.
2. Whose name will the domain and accounts be in?
The right answer is yours. The domain, hosting and logins should all be registered to you, with your email address. If the designer wants to keep them "to make things easier", that is a warning. See who actually owns your website for how to check.
Ours: everything is built in accounts registered in your name, including the domain.
3. Is there a monthly fee, and what is it for?
Some ongoing arrangements are reasonable. Some are rent on something you should own. Ask for a plain list of what you get each month. Our guide to website care plans explains what to look for.
Ours: no monthly fee to us. You pay your own domain and hosting as you already do.
4. What exactly is included?
Pages, photos, wording, a contact form, booking links, the Google listing. Ask what is not included too, because surprises hide in the gaps.
Ours: the scope is written down before you spend anything, including that we do not run ads, post on social media or take photographs.
5. How many rounds of changes do I get?
Every project has some back and forth. Ask how many rounds are included and what extra ones cost.
Ours: two rounds are included, and further rounds are $250 each.
6. How long will it take, and what do you need from me?
An honest answer will include your part. If a designer promises speed but needs nothing from you, ask what they are building from. Our guide on how long a website takes explains what actually sets the timeline.
Ours: most sites go live within two weeks of you sending your content across.
7. Can I update it myself afterwards?
You should be able to change opening hours, prices and photos without paying every time. Ask to be shown how.
Ours: we do a walkthrough call at handover and show you how to update it yourself.
8. Who do I ring when something goes wrong?
Ask who answers the phone, and try the number before you pay anything. A real person with a real number matters more than a slick website.
Ours: the number on our site goes straight to Josh. If he is out on a job, leave a message and he rings back the same day.
9. Can I see sites you have built?
Ask for live examples you can open and test on your own phone. If you can, look at whether the site is clear, loads reasonably and says what the business does.
10. What do you promise about Google?
Be very wary of anyone who guarantees a particular position. Nobody outside Google controls that. A fair answer is that they will set the site up properly so nothing basic holds you back. We cover that in why a website is not showing up on Google.
One more, if you already have a DIY site
Ask whether they can work with the setup you already have, so you are not paying for a move you do not need. If you are weighing up a builder against paying someone, our guide to when a DIY builder is the right call is worth reading first.
Trust your gut on the call
A good designer listens before they pitch. They tell you when you do not need them. They do not rush you, and they are happy to put everything in writing.
If you would like to put these questions to us, tell us about your business or ring Josh. Fifteen minutes, free, and no pitch.