The right web designer understands your business goals, shows real live work, builds for speed and SEO from the start, lets you own and edit your website, and explains clearly what happens after launch.
Ask these 12 questions before you hire anyone, freelancer or agency.
About their work
1. Can I see live websites you have built?
Screenshots can be polished. Live websites show real speed, mobile layout and how the site holds up over time.
2. Have you worked with businesses like mine?
Experience in your industry or with similar customers means fewer surprises and better ideas.
3. Can I read reviews from past clients?
Look for verified reviews on platforms such as Google, Fiverr or Upwork, not only testimonials on their own site.
About results
4. How will the website help me get customers?
A good designer talks about calls, enquiries and sales, not just colours and fonts.
5. Is SEO included?
At a minimum, the site should launch with clean structure, page titles, meta descriptions, schema, fast loading and mobile optimisation.
6. How fast will the website load?
Ask how they handle image sizes, caching and Core Web Vitals. Slow sites lose visitors and rankings.
7. Will it work for AI search?
In 2026, clear headings, answer-first content and structured data help your business appear in Google AI Mode and ChatGPT answers.
About ownership and control
8. Will I own the website and domain?
Your domain, hosting account and website files should be in your name, or easy to transfer to you.
9. Can I edit the website myself?
Platforms like WordPress with Elementor or Shopify let you update text and images without a developer. Ask for a short handover session.
About process and support
10. What is the process and timeline?
Expect clear stages, such as discovery, design, build, review and launch, with dates and check-ins.
11. What is included in the quote?
Confirm the number of pages, revisions, copywriting, images, forms, integrations and anything charged extra. A fixed quote avoids surprises.
12. What support do you offer after launch?
Websites need updates, backups and security checks. Ask about care plans and response times.
Freelancer or agency?
A freelancer usually offers direct contact, faster changes and better value; an agency offers a bigger team. Read my full comparison: Freelancer vs Agency.
Red flags to watch for
- No live portfolio or verifiable reviews.
- Vague pricing or no written scope.
- They keep ownership of your domain or website.
- No mention of SEO, speed or mobile.
- Slow or unclear communication before you have even hired them.
Key takeaways
- Judge designers by live work, verified reviews and how they talk about results.
- Make sure SEO, speed, ownership and editing are covered.
- Get a clear process, a fixed quote and a support plan in writing.
Ready to talk about your website? Get a free website audit or see my web design service.