Hiring a web designer is a strange kind of purchase. You usually can't judge the work until it's done, you might not speak the technical language, and you're trusting someone with something that represents your business to the world. No wonder it feels like a leap.
After fifteen years of building sites for small businesses — and cleaning up after a few that went sideways — here's what we'd look for if we were the ones hiring.
1. They ask about your business before they talk about design
A good designer wants to know who your customers are, what you want the site to do, and how you actually make money — before they say a word about colors or layouts. If the first conversation is all about how the site will look, that's a flag. Looks are the easy part.
2. You can understand them
You should never feel talked down to or buried in jargon. The whole point of hiring an expert is that they make the complicated parts simple for you. If you leave a conversation more confused than you started, imagine how a year of working together will feel.
3. They show you real work — and real results
Anyone can show pretty pictures. Ask to see sites they've built for businesses like yours, and ask what happened after launch. Did those businesses get more calls, more bookings, more customers? A portfolio shows taste; results show whether it works.
4. They're clear about who owns what
This one trips people up. You want to own your domain name, your content, and your site. Some shops lock you in so you can't leave without losing everything. Ask plainly: 'If we part ways, what do I keep?' The right answer is 'all of it.'
5. They don't disappear after launch
A website isn't a painting you hang and forget; it needs updates, backups, and the occasional fix. Find out what happens the day after launch. Is there support? What does it cost? A designer who plans for the long haul is one who expects to stand behind the work.
- Who updates the site when something changes?
- What happens if it goes down on a Saturday?
- Are backups and security handled — and by whom?
6. The price is clear, and so is what's included
You shouldn't need a decoder ring to understand the quote. A trustworthy designer will tell you what things cost, what's included, and what counts as 'extra,' before you sign anything. Surprises on the invoice are a sign of surprises everywhere else.
You don't need to become a tech expert to hire one well. You just need someone who treats your business like it matters and explains things like you're a smart adult — which you are.