7 Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Website Designer
Let's be honest: hiring a website designer can feel risky. You're about to hand over thousands of dollars to someone and trust them to create something that represents your entire business online. And if you choose wrong? You could end up with a beautiful site that doesn't work for your business, a half-finished project that never launches — or worse, locked into a system where you have to pay your designer every time you want to change a single word. Yikes.
I've seen it happen more times than I'd like to admit. Smart business owners hire the wrong designer, waste money, waste time, and end up starting over from scratch. And it's usually not because they didn't do their research. It's because they didn't know what questions to ask.
So let's fix that! Here are the seven questions you absolutely need to ask before you hire a website designer. These questions will help you spot red flags, understand what you're actually paying for, and find a designer who's the right fit for your business.
Question 1: "Who will own the website and domain when the project is done?"
This might seem like a weird place to start, but trust me, this question matters more than you think.
Here's what you need to know: some designers will set up your website and domain under their own accounts. Which means technically, they own it. And if you ever want to leave, make updates without them, or take your site to another designer, you're stuck. You might have to pay them to transfer ownership, or worse, rebuild your entire site from scratch because you can't access it.
The red flag: A designer who insists on owning your domain and website, or who's vague about transfer processes and ownership rights.
What you want to hear: "You'll own everything. I'll need access to build and maintain the site, but it's registered under your name and you'll have full access. If you ever want to work with someone else or manage it yourself, you can."
Not every designer operates this way, and that's fine! Some business models are built around ongoing management where the designer maintains ownership. But you need to know that upfront so you can make an informed decision. If a designer is going to own your domain and website, understand exactly what that means for updates, changes, and future flexibility.
Personally, I believe you should own your own digital assets. It's your business. You should have control. A good designer will set things up so you have ownership and access, while still being available to help when you need it.
Question 2: "What platform will you build my site on, and why is that the best choice for my business?"
Not all website platforms are created equal, and not all designers are equally skilled on every platform. This question tells you a lot about whether a designer actually understands your business needs or if they're just building what they always build.
Some designers only work on one platform. Maybe they specialize in Squarespace, or they only do custom WordPress sites, or they're all-in on Showit. That's not necessarily a problem, but you need to know if their platform actually makes sense for your business or if you're being shoehorned into what's easiest for them.
The red flag: A designer who can't clearly explain why their chosen platform is right for your specific business model, or who dismisses your questions about alternatives.
What you want to hear: A thoughtful explanation of why they're recommending a specific platform based on your business goals, budget, technical comfort level, and future plans. They should be able to explain the pros and cons of their recommendation and acknowledge when another platform might be better suited for your needs.
For example, if you're a course creator, Kajabi might make sense because of the all-in-one functionality. If you're a service provider who values design flexibility, Squarespace could be perfect. If you need highly custom functionality, a WordPress site might be the way to go. The point is, the platform should be chosen based on what your business needs, not just what the designer prefers to work with.
And here's something else to consider: ask about long-term maintenance and updates. Some platforms are easier for you to manage yourself after launch. Others might require ongoing designer involvement. Make sure you understand what you're signing up for!
Question 3: "What does your process look like from start to finish?"
A professional designer should have a clear, defined process. If they can't walk you through what happens from the moment you sign the contract to the day your site goes live, that's a red flag.
You’ll want to know: What happens first? When do you provide content? When will you see designs? How many rounds of revisions are included? What's the approval process? How do you communicate throughout the project? What happens if there are delays?
The red flag: Vague answers like "we'll figure it out as we go" or "it depends on the project." While some flexibility is normal, a designer should have a general framework they follow.
What you want to hear: A clear timeline with specific phases. Something like: "First, we'll have a strategy call to discuss your goals and audience. Then I'll send you a questionnaire to gather content and preferences. Week 2, I'll present initial design concepts. Week 3-4, we'll refine the design and build out the pages. Week 5, we'll review together and make revisions. Week 6, we launch and I'll train you on how to manage your site."
The exact process will vary by designer, but the point is they should have one. A clear process protects both of you. You know what to expect, when to expect it, and what's required from you. The designer can manage their time and keep the project moving forward.
Also pay attention to how they handle communication. Will you have regular check-ins? Do they respond to emails within a certain timeframe? What happens if you need to reach them urgently? Understanding the communication process upfront will save you a lot of frustration later.
Question 4: "What happens after the website launches? What kind of support do you offer?"
This is where a lot of designer-client relationships fall apart. The site launches, everyone's excited, and then a week later you need to update something or fix a broken link and your designer has disappeared into the void.
You need to know what support looks like after launch. Are they available for questions? For how long? Is there a cost for post-launch updates? What's included and what's extra?
The red flag: A designer who says "you're on your own after launch" or who's unclear about what happens if something breaks or needs updating. Or worse, a designer who disappears completely after the project is done.
What you want to hear: Clear expectations about post-launch support. Some designers include 30 days of support for bug fixes and questions. Some offer ongoing maintenance packages. Some will train you thoroughly so you can handle most updates yourself but are available on an hourly basis if you need help.
There's no one "right" answer here. The important thing is that you understand what's included and what's not. If your designer is going to be hands-off after launch, you need to know that upfront so you can plan accordingly. If they offer ongoing support, you need to know what that costs and how it works.
Personally, I believe in setting clients up for success. That means thorough training on how to manage your site, documentation you can refer back to, and availability if you hit a roadblock. But every designer structures this differently, and you need to find someone whose support model matches your comfort level with technology.
Question 5: "How do you handle pricing? What's included in your quote and what costs extra?"
Pricing transparency matters. A lot. You need to understand exactly what you're paying for and what might cost extra down the road.
Too often, I hear this from clients who have had a rough experience… a designer quotes you $5,000 for a website. Sounds great, so you move forward. Then midway through the project, you find out that writing copy is an extra $1,500. The custom contact form you wanted? That's another $800. The SEO optimization? Not included. Suddenly your $5,000 project is $8,000 and you feel blindsided. Not a good feeling!
The red flag: Vague pricing, reluctance to provide a detailed breakdown, or surprise charges that pop up during the project.
What you want to hear: Clear, itemized pricing that explains exactly what's included. A good designer will break down what you're paying for: strategy, design, development, copywriting (if applicable), SEO setup, training, revisions, etc. They'll also be upfront about what's not included and what might cost extra.
Now, there can be some nuance. Some aspects of pricing can be hard to nail down exactly before the project starts. Integrations, custom functionality, and the scope of content needed can vary. That's normal! But a professional designer will give you a clear range, explain what factors might push the price higher, and communicate with you before doing any work that affects the budget.
Also, don't be afraid to ask why their pricing is what it is. Why does a website cost $7,000 vs. $2,000? A good designer can explain the value you're getting: strategic planning, custom design tailored to your brand and audience, conversion optimization, SEO foundation, ongoing support, etc. If someone's significantly cheaper than market rate and can't explain why, that's a red flag. It might be a newer designer building their portfolio (which is fine if you know that's what you're getting), or it might be someone who's going to cut corners.
Remember: if pricing seems too good to be true, it probably is. A $500 website from Fiverr is not the same as a $5,000 custom site from an experienced designer. And that's okay if you only need the $500 version! But don't expect $5,000 results at a $500 price point.
Question 6: "How many rounds of revisions are included, and how does that process work?"
This question saves so much headache. You need to know upfront how much input you'll have and what happens if you want changes.
Here's a very common scenario: designer presents a design, the client has feedback, and suddenly there's confusion about whether those changes are included or if they cost extra. Or worse, a designer delivers a site, the client wants to adjust the layout, and the designer says "that's a complete redesign, it'll be another $2,000."
The red flag: No clear revision policy, or a designer who treats every piece of feedback as an extra charge.
What you want to hear: A specific number of revision rounds (two rounds is common), a clear explanation of what counts as a revision vs. a major scope change, and a process for how feedback is gathered and implemented.
For example, a designer might say: "You'll get two rounds of revisions on the initial design concepts and two rounds on the full website before launch. Minor tweaks like color adjustments or text changes are included. Major changes like adding new pages or completely redesigning a section would be considered outside the scope and would have an additional cost."
That's clear. You know what you can ask for and what's extra. It protects both of you from scope creep and miscommunication.
You can also ask how revisions are communicated. Do they want feedback all at once in a document? Via email? In a meeting? Understanding the process makes everything smoother.
Question 7: "What's the realistic timeline for this project, and what could delay it?"
Timelines are tricky in web design because so much depends on client input, content availability, and unforeseen technical issues. But a professional designer should still be able to give you a realistic estimate and be honest about what factors might push the timeline.
The red flag: Overpromising on timeline (like "we'll have your site done in a week"), being vague about timing, or not acknowledging that delays happen.
What you want to hear: A realistic timeline with specific milestones, acknowledgment that your responsiveness affects the timeline, and clarity about what happens if there are delays.
Something like: "Most projects take 4-6 weeks from contract signing to launch. The biggest factor that affects timeline is how quickly you can provide content and feedback. If you can turn around feedback within 48 hours and have all your content ready, we can stick to the shorter end. If content creation takes longer or you need more time to review, it might be closer to 6-8 weeks."
You should also ask what happens if they miss the timeline. Is there any accountability? Are you locked into waiting indefinitely, or is there a contingency plan?
And be realistic with yourself too! If the designer needs content from you and you're not sure when you'll have time to write it, say that upfront. A good designer can work with your timeline or suggest solutions (like hiring a copywriter, brand shoot, etc.).
The goal is to have a shared understanding of timing that's based in reality, not wishful thinking.
The Questions Behind the Questions
These questions are really about finding a designer who's professional, communicative, strategic, and a good fit for how you work.
When you ask these questions, pay attention not just to the answers, but to how they're delivered. Is the designer patient with your questions or annoyed? Do they explain things clearly or use jargon to confuse you? Do they seem interested in understanding your business or are they just trying to close the sale?
A great designer will absolutely appreciate these questions! They'll see them as a sign that you're a serious, thoughtful client who values clear communication and mutual understanding. They'll answer thoroughly and probably ask you some questions in return about your business, your goals, and your working style.
A red flag designer will get defensive, provide vague answers, or try to rush through the conversation without addressing your concerns.
What Professional Designers Understand (That Cheaper Options Don't)
Professionals build for your business now and for where you want to be in the future. They're not just slapping together a pretty website. They're thinking strategically about your audience, your goals, your conversion path, and your long-term growth.
Cheaper options often give you exactly what you pay for: a basic site that looks okay but doesn't actually serve your business. It might be missing key functionality, poor user experience, no SEO foundation, or built on a platform that doesn't scale with you.
This is probably the most important note of all: Not all designers are created equal.
Some are skilled in visual design but don't understand strategy. Some are technical wizards but have no design sense. Some can build something beautiful but have no idea how to optimize it for conversions or SEO. Some will design your site but expect you to provide all the copy, all the strategy, and all the direction.
When you're interviewing designers, try to understand what their actual strengths are. Are they a designer who focuses on aesthetics? A developer who can handle complex technical builds? A strategist who thinks about conversion and user experience? Someone who does it all?
There's no wrong answer, but you need to know what you're getting. If you hire a designer who just builds what you tell them to build, you better have a clear strategy already. If you need someone who can guide you on messaging, positioning, and conversion optimization, make sure that's part of what they offer.
One More Thing... Trust Your Gut
Beyond all these practical questions, pay attention to how you feel about the designer. Do you trust them? Do they seem genuinely interested in your business and your success? Do they listen to you? Do you feel comfortable asking questions?
Chemistry matters! You're most likely going to be working closely with this person for weeks or months. If something feels off during the consultation call, it's probably not going to get better once the project starts.
On the flip side, if you feel heard, understood, and excited about the possibility of working together, that's a good sign. A great designer-client relationship is collaborative, communicative, and built on mutual respect.
The Bottom Line
Hiring a website designer is a significant investment, and you deserve to make that investment confidently. These seven questions will help you understand exactly what you're paying for, what to expect, and whether a designer is the right fit for your business.
Don't be afraid to ask tough questions. A professional designer will appreciate your thoroughness and will have clear, confident answers. If someone gets defensive or can't answer these questions clearly, keep looking.
Your website is one of your most important business assets! Make sure you're hiring someone who understands that and who's going to create something that actually serves your business, not just looks pretty in their portfolio.
Want a designer who has great answers to all of these questions?
Someone who believes in clear communication, strategic design, and setting you up for long-term success?
Let's talk. I'd love to hear about your business and see if we're a good fit!
