What to Ask Before Hiring a Custom Web Designer
Hiring a custom web designer is a smart move—but only if you choose the right one. Your website is the face of your business online. The wrong designer can waste your money, delay your project, or leave you with a site that doesn’t perform.
The key to a successful project is asking the right questions up front. Before you sign any contract or send a deposit, make sure you know exactly what you’re getting and who you’re working with. Here are 10 essential questions to ask any web designer before you hire them.
1. Do You Specialize in Custom Website Design or Use Templates?
Not all “designers” offer true custom work. Many use pre-built templates and just swap out text and images—which defeats the purpose of hiring a professional.
You want to hear:
“We design every site from scratch based on your goals, branding, and user experience needs.”
2. Can I See a Portfolio of Recent Work?
A reputable web designer will be proud to show off past projects. Reviewing their portfolio helps you assess their style, range, and quality.
Look for:
If their portfolio looks outdated or cookie-cutter, that’s a red flag.
3. What’s Included in the Project Scope?
Make sure there’s no confusion about what’s covered. Some designers only create the visuals and don’t build the actual site. Others might exclude SEO or mobile optimization.
Clarify the deliverables:
Know what’s in—and what’s out—before you pay.
4. Who Owns the Website After It’s Built?
This is huge. Some web designers retain ownership of your site, meaning you can’t take it with you if you cancel services.
You should own everything:
If they won’t give you full ownership, walk away.
5. Will My Website Be Easy to Update?
You shouldn’t have to rely on a designer for every small change. Ask what content management system (CMS) they use and whether you’ll be trained on how to update your site.
Look for:
A good designer empowers you—not traps you.
6. What’s Your Process from Start to Finish?
You want a clear plan—not guesswork. Ask how they handle discovery, design, revisions, development, testing, and launch.
A professional process should include:
If their process sounds vague or unorganized, that’s a warning sign.
7. How Long Will the Project Take?
Custom websites typically take 2–6 weeks depending on scope. Be wary of anyone promising a full custom site “in 2 days”—they’re likely using a template.
Ask for:
Good design takes time—but it shouldn’t drag out for months.
8. Will My Website Be SEO-Friendly?
Even a beautiful website is useless if no one can find it. Ask if they include basic on-page SEO like keyword-rich titles, clean URLs, and fast loading times.
SEO-friendly design should include:
If they don’t mention SEO, they’re missing a critical piece.
9. Do You Offer Ongoing Support or Maintenance?
Websites aren’t set-and-forget. Plugins need updates, backups need to run, and content often changes.
Ask if they offer:
Having support after launch can save you hours of stress.
10. What Happens If I Want to Leave or Work with Someone Else Later?
Avoid being locked into a system or platform. You should be free to switch hosting, update the design, or hand it off to another developer if needed.
A trustworthy designer will say:
“You own the site. You’re free to take it anywhere at any time.”
Hiring the Right Web Designer = Peace of Mind + Profit
Asking these questions helps you avoid costly mistakes and find a designer who understands your business. A great web designer isn’t just an artist—they’re a strategist, builder, and partner in your online success.
Want to See What a Trusted, Transparent Web Design Process Looks Like?
Schedule Your Free Custom Website Demonstration and we’ll walk you through how we design high-converting custom websites that are built to perform, scale, and grow with your business—without the stress.
The key to a successful project is asking the right questions up front. Before you sign any contract or send a deposit, make sure you know exactly what you’re getting and who you’re working with. Here are 10 essential questions to ask any web designer before you hire them.
1. Do You Specialize in Custom Website Design or Use Templates?
Not all “designers” offer true custom work. Many use pre-built templates and just swap out text and images—which defeats the purpose of hiring a professional.
You want to hear:
“We design every site from scratch based on your goals, branding, and user experience needs.”
2. Can I See a Portfolio of Recent Work?
A reputable web designer will be proud to show off past projects. Reviewing their portfolio helps you assess their style, range, and quality.
Look for:
- Clean, modern layouts
- Mobile responsiveness
- User-friendly design
- Visual branding that matches the business
If their portfolio looks outdated or cookie-cutter, that’s a red flag.
3. What’s Included in the Project Scope?
Make sure there’s no confusion about what’s covered. Some designers only create the visuals and don’t build the actual site. Others might exclude SEO or mobile optimization.
Clarify the deliverables:
- Number of pages included
- Mobile responsiveness
- Contact forms or booking tools
- On-page SEO setup
- Blog integration or eCommerce setup if needed
Know what’s in—and what’s out—before you pay.
4. Who Owns the Website After It’s Built?
This is huge. Some web designers retain ownership of your site, meaning you can’t take it with you if you cancel services.
You should own everything:
- Domain name
- Hosting account
- Design files and code
- Content and images
If they won’t give you full ownership, walk away.
5. Will My Website Be Easy to Update?
You shouldn’t have to rely on a designer for every small change. Ask what content management system (CMS) they use and whether you’ll be trained on how to update your site.
Look for:
- Easy-to-use platforms
- Post-launch support
- Training videos or guides
A good designer empowers you—not traps you.
6. What’s Your Process from Start to Finish?
You want a clear plan—not guesswork. Ask how they handle discovery, design, revisions, development, testing, and launch.
A professional process should include:
- Discovery call and brand research
- Wireframes or mockups
- Revisions with your feedback
- Final approval before launch
- Testing across devices
If their process sounds vague or unorganized, that’s a warning sign.
7. How Long Will the Project Take?
Custom websites typically take 2–6 weeks depending on scope. Be wary of anyone promising a full custom site “in 2 days”—they’re likely using a template.
Ask for:
- A realistic timeline with milestones
- Clear expectations for your involvement
- Contingency plans if delays occur
Good design takes time—but it shouldn’t drag out for months.
8. Will My Website Be SEO-Friendly?
Even a beautiful website is useless if no one can find it. Ask if they include basic on-page SEO like keyword-rich titles, clean URLs, and fast loading times.
SEO-friendly design should include:
- Mobile responsiveness
- Image compression
- Metadata for each page
- Headings and keyword structure
If they don’t mention SEO, they’re missing a critical piece.
9. Do You Offer Ongoing Support or Maintenance?
Websites aren’t set-and-forget. Plugins need updates, backups need to run, and content often changes.
Ask if they offer:
- Monthly maintenance plans
- Support for site edits or troubleshooting
- Website performance monitoring
Having support after launch can save you hours of stress.
10. What Happens If I Want to Leave or Work with Someone Else Later?
Avoid being locked into a system or platform. You should be free to switch hosting, update the design, or hand it off to another developer if needed.
A trustworthy designer will say:
“You own the site. You’re free to take it anywhere at any time.”
Hiring the Right Web Designer = Peace of Mind + Profit
Asking these questions helps you avoid costly mistakes and find a designer who understands your business. A great web designer isn’t just an artist—they’re a strategist, builder, and partner in your online success.
Want to See What a Trusted, Transparent Web Design Process Looks Like?
Schedule Your Free Custom Website Demonstration and we’ll walk you through how we design high-converting custom websites that are built to perform, scale, and grow with your business—without the stress.