DECISIONS ABOUT YOUR WEBSITE
What to ask a web designer before hiring them
Commissioning a website is an important decision and, for anyone outside the industry, hard to evaluate: quotes vary widely and it is difficult to know what lies behind each one. These are the questions I would ask if I were on the other side of the table, and the answers that should reassure you or make you think twice.
Before asking: be clear about what you need
You can only judge a designer’s answers if you know what you expect from the website. Before requesting quotes, try to write down:
- What the website should achieve: enquiries, bookings, sales, credibility.
- Who it is for and which services matter most.
- What you already have: logo, photos, copy, domain, a previous website.
- A rough budget and a date.
If you’re unsure, the guide how much a website costs will help you get your bearings.
About the process
- How do you work, step by step? A good professional explains the stages, what they need from you and when.
- What will you ask me about my business? If nobody asks about your clients and goals, the website will be designed blind.
- How many rounds of changes are included? And what happens if you need more.
- How long will it take, and what does that depend on? Delays almost always come from content. Ask who is responsible for it.
About the copy and content
It is the most forgotten question and the one that most affects the result: who writes the copy?
- If you write it, ask what guidance or structure you will get.
- If the designer writes it, ask how and from what information, and whether it is included in the price.
- Ask the same about photos: yours, a photographer’s or stock images?
A beautiful website with generic copy usually gets the same results as the old one.
About ownership and access
- Whose name is the domain registered in? It should be yours, even if the designer manages it.
- Will I have access to the hosting and the website? Once finished and paid for, you should receive the access details or know how to get them.
- Can I move the website to another provider? Ask what happens if you stop working together.
- Do you use paid themes or plugins, and whose licence are they under? If the licence expires or belongs to the designer, it is worth knowing.
About price and what is included
- What exactly does the quote include, and what doesn’t it? Copy, photos, languages, forms, basic SEO, legal notice.
- How is payment made? Upfront, in stages or at the end.
- What costs come afterwards? Hosting, domain, licences, maintenance: how much and how often.
Compare quotes by what they include, not just the final price.
About what happens afterwards
- Who updates the website and makes backups? An unmaintained website ends up vulnerable.
- Can I change copy and photos myself? And if not, how much each change costs.
- What if something breaks after delivery? Ask whether there is a bug-fixing period.
Good signs and warning signs
Beyond specific answers, the way someone works shows in a few details:
Good signs and warning signs
- Asks about your business and clients before talking design
- A written quote, with what is and isn’t included
- The domain and access are in your name
- Shows real projects and lets you talk to their clients
- Explains what happens after launch
- A fixed price without knowing your project
- Guaranteed “first place on Google” promises
- Domain or hosting in their name without explanation
- Unclear who writes the copy
- No contract or written terms
Frequently asked questions about hiring a web designer
How many quotes should I get?
Two or three are usually enough to compare approaches and prices. With more, it is hard to compare them sensibly.
Is a freelance designer or an agency better?
It depends on the project. A freelancer usually offers direct contact and fewer intermediaries; an agency, more roles for large projects. What matters is who will do the work and who you will deal with.
Should I sign a contract?
Yes, or at least accept written terms: what is included, deadlines, payment, ownership and what happens if the project is cancelled.
Want to ask me these questions?
I’d be happy to answer them. I work with written quotes, copy included in custom design (from €1,995 + VAT), access handed over on completion and published terms you can read before deciding.
See custom web design Read the terms