Hiring a web designer is one of those decisions that feels harder than it should be. You’re choosing someone to build one of the most visible things your business has — often without knowing enough about the technical side to evaluate what you’re getting.

Here’s what I’d actually look at if I were in your position.

Start with their portfolio

This one’s obvious, but look past the visual style. Ask yourself: do the sites they’ve built look like they actually work for the businesses behind them? Is the navigation clear? Do the pages load quickly? Is there a clear call to action?

A designer can show you beautiful screenshots, but screenshots don’t tell you whether the site is fast, functional, or actually converting visitors into leads.

If possible, visit the live sites in their portfolio. Click around. Check how they load on your phone.

Find out who’s actually doing the work

Some studios have a lead designer who handles sales and a junior developer who handles the build. Nothing wrong with that arrangement if you know going in. But if you’re hiring a freelancer expecting direct access to the person doing the work, ask directly: will you be designing and building my site yourself, or is any of this being handed off?

Understand what’s included — and what isn’t

A “website” can mean a lot of different things. Get clear on:

  • What’s included in the price? Design, development, mobile optimization, content migration, contact forms?
  • How many rounds of revisions are included?
  • What does handoff look like? Will they train you on how to update your own site?
  • What happens after launch? Is there a support period, or are you on your own once final payment is collected?

Ask about their process

A good designer has a clear process. They’ll ask about your business, your audience, your competitors, and what you need the site to do before they start designing anything. If someone is ready to start building the day you sign the contract without a proper discovery conversation, that’s a flag.

Understand what you’re buying with price

Cheap websites exist, and sometimes they’re fine. But the cheapest option often means cutting corners somewhere — in the discovery process, in the quality of the build, in the time spent on your site.

The most common problems I see when fixing other people’s WordPress sites: no backups, no security hardening, plugins that conflict with each other, and sites that break when something gets updated. These are signs of a fast build, not a careful one.

What about template services?

If a designer is offering you a $500 website, they’re using a template and spending a few hours on it. That’s not necessarily bad — but know what you’re getting. There’s nothing wrong with a good template site, but you shouldn’t pay custom-design prices for one. Ask directly: is this a custom design, or are you starting from a template?

Red flags worth knowing

  • Guaranteed first-page Google rankings in 30 days. No.
  • A contract that says they own your domain or hosting. Walk away.
  • No portfolio or verifiable references.
  • Vague pricing with lots of potential add-ons. Get everything in writing before you sign.
  • Slow or vague communication before the project even starts — it won’t improve once you’ve paid.

The relationship matters

You’ll work with this person through a process that takes weeks and involves a lot of back-and-forth. Do they communicate clearly? Do they respond promptly? Do they ask good questions?

A technically skilled designer who’s hard to reach and vague in their answers will make your project miserable. Pay attention to how the conversation feels before you sign anything.

If you’re comparing quotes and want a second opinion on what you’re being offered, I’m happy to take a look. No pressure, no sales pitch — just a straight answer.