Red Flags When Hiring a Website Designer
Hiring the right website designer near you can elevate your business. But hiring the wrong one? That can leave you with a website that underperforms, looks unprofessional, or worse—never gets finished. The good news is that many bad experiences can be avoided if you know what warning signs to look for early in the process.
Whether you’re working with a freelancer, an agency, or someone who claims to be “local,” asking the right questions and observing their behavior before you sign anything can protect you from wasted money and stress. Here are the biggest red flags to avoid when hiring a website designer.
They Can’t Show You a Portfolio
If a designer can’t or won’t show you examples of their past work, that’s a problem. A professional web designer should have a portfolio, even if it's limited to a few completed projects. The quality and variety of those sites give you a sense of their design style, industry experience, and skill level. Be cautious if their only examples are vague screenshots or links to live sites with no confirmation that they actually built them.
They Don’t Offer a Discovery Call or Consultation
A good website designer will want to learn about your business, audience, and goals before sending over a quote. If someone jumps straight into pricing without asking about your needs, they’re likely using a cookie-cutter approach. That means you’re not getting a strategy—you’re getting a template.
They Promise a Fully Custom Site for an Ultra-Cheap Price
Be wary of anyone offering a “custom” website for $299 or less. At that price point, it’s almost guaranteed to be a generic template with minimal customization, little or no SEO, and no real strategy behind it. These sites often come with hidden fees for every change and may not even be fully owned by you after launch.
They’re Vague About Timelines and Deliverables
Clear communication is a key part of a successful design project. If your designer can’t tell you how long the project will take or what’s included in the final deliverable, that’s a red flag. You should know exactly how many pages, how many revisions, and which features are covered before moving forward.
They Don’t Talk About SEO or Performance
A website that looks good but loads slowly or doesn’t show up on Google won’t help your business. If your designer doesn’t mention page speed, SEO basics, or mobile responsiveness, they may be more focused on aesthetics than functionality. You need both to succeed online.
They Don’t Offer Support After Launch
Your relationship with a web designer shouldn’t end the day your site goes live. If they don’t offer any kind of post-launch support—whether that’s a 30-day grace period or an optional maintenance plan—you may be left hanging when you need updates or run into issues.
They Use High-Pressure Sales Tactics
If a designer pressures you to make a quick decision or sign a contract without a clear understanding of what you’re getting, that’s a serious red flag. A professional should give you time to ask questions, review the scope of work, and feel confident about the partnership before committing.
Their Reviews Seem Fake or Nonexistent
Take time to read their online reviews. Are they consistent across platforms like Google, Yelp, and Facebook? Do they sound authentic and specific? If you see lots of generic five-star reviews with no detail—or none at all—that could be a sign the designer is new, inexperienced, or hiding negative feedback.
They Can’t Explain Things in Simple Terms
Good designers don’t confuse you with jargon. If they can’t explain their process or design choices in a way that makes sense to you, it may lead to confusion and misaligned expectations later on. Look for someone who can simplify the complex and keep you in the loop throughout the project.
They Have Poor Communication from the Start
If you’re waiting days for email responses or getting vague answers before you even sign the contract, imagine how things will go once the project is underway. Clear and timely communication is essential in web design. If it’s already a problem now, don’t expect it to improve later.
Choosing a website designer isn’t just about price—it’s about trust, transparency, and long-term value. If you’ve seen any of the red flags listed above, it’s worth pausing before moving forward. The right designer will earn your trust with clarity, not confusion.
If you want to avoid the hassle and see what a reliable, professional design process looks like, schedule your free custom website demonstration today. Get a preview of your future site with no pressure and no surprises.
Whether you’re working with a freelancer, an agency, or someone who claims to be “local,” asking the right questions and observing their behavior before you sign anything can protect you from wasted money and stress. Here are the biggest red flags to avoid when hiring a website designer.
They Can’t Show You a Portfolio
If a designer can’t or won’t show you examples of their past work, that’s a problem. A professional web designer should have a portfolio, even if it's limited to a few completed projects. The quality and variety of those sites give you a sense of their design style, industry experience, and skill level. Be cautious if their only examples are vague screenshots or links to live sites with no confirmation that they actually built them.
They Don’t Offer a Discovery Call or Consultation
A good website designer will want to learn about your business, audience, and goals before sending over a quote. If someone jumps straight into pricing without asking about your needs, they’re likely using a cookie-cutter approach. That means you’re not getting a strategy—you’re getting a template.
They Promise a Fully Custom Site for an Ultra-Cheap Price
Be wary of anyone offering a “custom” website for $299 or less. At that price point, it’s almost guaranteed to be a generic template with minimal customization, little or no SEO, and no real strategy behind it. These sites often come with hidden fees for every change and may not even be fully owned by you after launch.
They’re Vague About Timelines and Deliverables
Clear communication is a key part of a successful design project. If your designer can’t tell you how long the project will take or what’s included in the final deliverable, that’s a red flag. You should know exactly how many pages, how many revisions, and which features are covered before moving forward.
They Don’t Talk About SEO or Performance
A website that looks good but loads slowly or doesn’t show up on Google won’t help your business. If your designer doesn’t mention page speed, SEO basics, or mobile responsiveness, they may be more focused on aesthetics than functionality. You need both to succeed online.
They Don’t Offer Support After Launch
Your relationship with a web designer shouldn’t end the day your site goes live. If they don’t offer any kind of post-launch support—whether that’s a 30-day grace period or an optional maintenance plan—you may be left hanging when you need updates or run into issues.
They Use High-Pressure Sales Tactics
If a designer pressures you to make a quick decision or sign a contract without a clear understanding of what you’re getting, that’s a serious red flag. A professional should give you time to ask questions, review the scope of work, and feel confident about the partnership before committing.
Their Reviews Seem Fake or Nonexistent
Take time to read their online reviews. Are they consistent across platforms like Google, Yelp, and Facebook? Do they sound authentic and specific? If you see lots of generic five-star reviews with no detail—or none at all—that could be a sign the designer is new, inexperienced, or hiding negative feedback.
They Can’t Explain Things in Simple Terms
Good designers don’t confuse you with jargon. If they can’t explain their process or design choices in a way that makes sense to you, it may lead to confusion and misaligned expectations later on. Look for someone who can simplify the complex and keep you in the loop throughout the project.
They Have Poor Communication from the Start
If you’re waiting days for email responses or getting vague answers before you even sign the contract, imagine how things will go once the project is underway. Clear and timely communication is essential in web design. If it’s already a problem now, don’t expect it to improve later.
Choosing a website designer isn’t just about price—it’s about trust, transparency, and long-term value. If you’ve seen any of the red flags listed above, it’s worth pausing before moving forward. The right designer will earn your trust with clarity, not confusion.
If you want to avoid the hassle and see what a reliable, professional design process looks like, schedule your free custom website demonstration today. Get a preview of your future site with no pressure and no surprises.