What Questions Should I Ask a Web Designer Before Hiring?
Quick answer
The most important questions to ask a web designer cover ownership, price, timeline, SEO, security and support. Ask who owns the domain and site, what exactly is included, how forms are protected, whether a blog and local SEO are built in, and what happens after launch. Clear answers now prevent expensive surprises later.
Why do the questions matter so much?
Most website regrets come from things nobody talked about at the start. The owner assumed the blog was included. The designer assumed the owner would write all the copy. Nobody mentioned who controls the domain.
Good designers welcome questions. If someone gets vague or annoyed when you ask, that tells you something too. For the bigger picture on picking the right person, see how to choose a website designer in Chandler. This post is the list of questions to bring to that conversation.
What should I ask about ownership and access?
Start here, because this is where owners get burned the most.
- Who will own my domain name? You should. It should be registered in your name, on your account.
- Who will own the website and its content? Once you've paid, you should own your words, photos and design.
- Will I have login access to my hosting and site? Even if you never use it, you should be able to.
- What happens if we stop working together? Can you take your site with you, or is it locked to their system?
I go deeper on this topic in who should own my domain and hosting.
What should I ask about price and process?
- What exactly is included in the price? Ask for a written list: number of pages, blog, forms, copywriting, photos, revisions and training.
- What will cost extra? Hosting, plugins, stock photos, extra revision rounds and ongoing changes are common add ons. Know them before you sign.
- What do you need from me, and when? Delays usually come from content. A good designer tells you exactly what to gather.
- How long will it take? Ask for a realistic range and what could make it longer.
When I quote a website design project, you get a clear price before any work starts. No guessing, no surprise invoices.
What should I ask about SEO, speed and security?
A beautiful site that nobody finds or that leaks spam isn't doing its job. Ask:
- Is the site built for search? Look for answers that mention page titles, headings, local SEO, schema markup, a sitemap and setting up Google Search Console.
- Will it include a blog I can post to myself? A blog is one of the best ways to keep showing up for new searches.
- How will it perform on phones, and how fast will it load? Ask them to show you a recent site on your own phone.
- How are the contact forms protected from spam and attacks? You want a real answer here, like spam filtering, verification checks and messages checked on the server, not "we use a plugin."
- Will I have analytics set up so I can see who visits and what they do?
Form security is a big one for me. I've cleaned up plenty of forms that were wide open to spam bots, and I check every form before a site goes live.
What should I ask about support after launch?
Launch day is the beginning, not the end. Ask:
- Will you train me to add blog posts and make simple edits?
- Who do I call if something breaks?
- Do you offer ongoing updates, and how are they billed?
- How fast do you usually respond to requests?
Here's what one client said after we worked together: "Hillary truly listened to my needs and delivered a solid website that funnels people into requesting a quote, just what I wanted." (AJ Gonzalez, YardworkAZ.com). Listening first is the whole point of asking these questions.
What are the warning signs in a designer's answers?
Pay attention if you hear any of these:
- Guaranteed first page rankings (nobody can promise that)
- The domain will be registered in their name "to make things easier"
- No written scope or price before work starts
- No examples of recent work you can look at on your phone
- Vague answers about security
None of these automatically mean someone is bad at their job. But each one deserves a follow up question before you sign anything.
Let's take this off your plate
Hiring a web designer feels risky when you don't have the time to vet people, don't know what to look for, or just don't want to deal with it. Bring me this whole list and I'll answer every question plainly. Learn about my website design service or book a free call.
Frequently asked questions
Should I ask a web designer for references?
Yes. Ask to see recent sites and, if possible, talk to a past client. Check those sites on your phone to see how they really perform.
Is it a red flag if a designer doesn't list prices online?
Not always, since every project is different. The red flag is not getting a clear written price before work begins.
Do I need to write my own website copy?
It depends on the designer. Some include copywriting and some expect you to provide it, so ask early because copy is the most common cause of delays.
How do I compare quotes from different designers?
Put them side by side using the same list: pages, blog, SEO setup, form security, training and support. The cheapest quote often leaves out things you'll pay for later.