Guide · Updated October 2026
Questions to ask a web designer
Twelve questions to ask before you hire anyone to build your website, what a good answer sounds like, and how I answer each one.
Short answer
Before you hire a web designer, ask what it costs upfront and every month, how long until launch, who you will work with, whether you can see a demo first, who owns the site and domain, how people will find it on Google and in AI search, and what happens if you leave. Good answers are specific numbers and live examples, in writing.
Twelve to ask.
Each one with what a good answer sounds like, and mine.
What will it cost, upfront and monthly?
Listen for real numbers. Mine: $4,000 to $6,000 for a small business site, $6,000 to $10,000 for a growing one, $199 to $299 a month for hosting and care.
How long until it is live?
Listen for a range and examples. Mine: most sites go live in 7 to 21 days.
Who will I work with?
Listen for a name. With me, the person on the first call is the person building your site.
Can I see it before I commit?
Listen for a demo or a design first. I build a demo before you sign anything.
Who owns the site and domain?
Listen for you. Once the build fee is paid, you own the final delivered website, and the domain is in your name.
Can I see live sites you built?
Listen for real businesses you can visit today, not just screenshots. Every case study on this site links to the live site.
How will people find it on Google and AI search?
Listen for specifics: keyword research, a page per service, structured data, Search Console and a Business Profile. All of that is in every build.
How fast will it load on a phone?
Listen for measured scores. My recent client sites score 96 to 100 on Google Lighthouse on desktop.
How do changes work after launch?
Listen for a clear process and turnaround. Mine: text or email, most small edits back within 24 hours.
Is it accessible and privacy-ready?
Listen for an accessibility check and legal pages. Every site I build ships with a privacy policy, terms, cookie consent, an accessibility statement and a WCAG 2.1 AA scan.
What happens if I leave?
Listen for a handover with no release fee. Mine includes the source code, your content and your data.
What do you need from me?
Listen for a short list. Mine: your logo, photos if you have them and a conversation about what the site needs to do.
See the work.
Real businesses, live today. Each case study links to the live site.
Fixed Ops RoundtableA streaming, events and membership platform with 1,700+ videos, signed to live in 21 days.
JMT SanitationAn address check that signs customers up. New customers went from about 20 a week to 60.
Cornerstone Property ManagementAn owner-run home care site. Every request emails the owner and confirms with the customer.
From the builder
I would rather you ask me hard questions on the first call than be surprised later. Every answer above goes into the proposal in writing, so you know exactly what you are getting and what it costs before you commit.
Questions
How do I know if a web designer is good?
Visit sites they built that are live today, try them on your phone, and run one through Google PageSpeed Insights. Then call one of their clients.
Should I hire a freelancer or an agency?
A freelancer is usually faster and talks to you directly. An agency has more people for very large projects. A small studio sits in between: you work with the person building your site, with a process and support behind it.
What should a web design contract include?
The price and what it includes, the timeline, how revisions work, who owns the finished site and domain, the monthly costs and what they cover, and what happens if either side ends the agreement.
What should make me cautious?
No live examples, prices that only come after a long sales process, a domain registered in the designer's name, or no clear answer on what you get if you leave.