Hiring a website designer is a big decision.

Your website is the digital home base of your business and it is often one of the biggest investments you will make.

And in a lot of cases, it just feels intimidating!

But trust me, you don’t have to be “techy” and you definitely don’t need to know all the jargon.

That said, a lot of business owners don’t know what they don’t know — and that’s where things go sideways. Hidden fees, surprise add-ons, confusing contracts, unclear timelines, designers who disappear for weeks… you get the idea.

So let’s fix that.

Here’s a practical, real-life list of what to consider before you hire a website designer – from a web designer who has built more than 300 websites for small businesses just like yours.

1. What is the *actual* cost?

A website project can look affordable at first… until you realize the design is just one line item.

Before you hire anyone, get a full cost picture (not just the design fee):

• Hosting (where your site lives online)
• Domain purchase + annual renewal
• Platform fees (Squarespace, Shopify, etc.)
• Paid templates or themes
• Premium plugins (forms, SEO tools, schedulers, security)
• Copywriting, photos, brand refresh, or SEO setup
• Ongoing maintenance or retainers
• Future add-ons you might need later

A $2,000 website with $150/month in hidden platform costs may cost more in the long run than a $5,000 website with minimal ongoing expenses.

Always look at the 3-year cost — not just the upfront cost.

2. Who Owns the site once it goes live?

This one is a hill I will die on.

Your website should live inside your accounts — your hosting login, your domain registrar, your WordPress login, your admin dashboard. Not your designer’s.

Ask your designer:

• Who owns the domain?
• Who owns the hosting account?
• Will I have full admin access?
• What happens if we part ways?
• Can I move the site later if I choose to?

A good designer empowers you.
A red-flag designer keeps your logins “for convenience.”
Translation: control.

Run.

Make sure you own your website (and that you have all login access)

3. What platform best fits my business?

Your website platform matters more than people realize. It affects:

• What features you can add later
• Whether you’ll have to rebuild your site in a year
• How much you’ll pay for apps/plugins
• How easy your site is to update
• How well it integrates with your tools
• How “future-proof” your website is

If you plan on expanding your business, adding e-commerce, launching courses, or building out content over time, choose a platform that gives you flexibility. Choose a platform that will grow with you.

My stance? WordPress is the most scalable, customizable, and long-term budget-friendly platform for most small businesses.

That said, your choice should be based on your goals — not the platform your designer happens to prefer.

4. What is the timeline and what are the key milestones to keep it on track?

Most people don’t realize that website timelines vary wildly depending on:

• How quickly you provide content
• How defined your brand messaging is
• Whether you need copywriting
• Designer workload or scheduling
• Scope changes during the project

A 4-week website can become a 6-month marathon if expectations aren’t clear.

Have your designer outline:

• When your project officially starts
• A realistic launch date
• Milestones and review windows
• What they need from you (and by when)
• Exactly what happens if content is delayed

A clear timeline protects both of you — and keeps the project from ballooning into chaos.

5. Who’s Writing the Content?

This is one of the biggest friction points in a website build.

Designers assume the client will write the copy.
Clients assume the designer will write the copy.

The site gets stuck. Everyone panics. Tempers flare. The designer contemplates moving to a cabin in the mountains with no Wi-Fi.

Content drives design — not the other way around.

Before you hire, ask:

• Who writes all page copy?
• Do you edit or refine what I write?
• Do you handle headlines, CTAs, SEO titles, alt text?
• Do you source photos, or do I?

When this is clear from the beginning, the entire project moves faster (and your website turns out better).

6. What SEO Work Is Included?

Spoiler: “SEO included” can mean anything — from “we installed a plugin” to “we structured your site strategically with titles, meta descriptions, keywords, accessibility features, and tracking.”

Ask specifically:

• Will you optimize headings?
• Will you set up meta descriptions and alt text?
• Will you compress images for speed?
• Will you connect Google Analytics and Search Console?
• Will you provide any keyword guidance?

A website without foundational SEO is basically a billboard in the woods.

7. What Kind of training is included?

You should be able to update your own website. Even if you choose not to.

Ask:

• Will you train me on how to make basic updates?
• Do I receive a tutorial or documentation?
• Can I change text, photos, or pricing myself?
• What happens if I accidentally break something?

A good designer builds with your independence in mind — not dependence.

8. What Happens After Launch?

Most business owners think the project ends on launch day, but this is where a ton of confusion happens.

Ask:

• Is there a warranty period for fixes?
• How long do I have for support?
• What qualifies as “support” vs. “new work”?
• Do you offer maintenance plans?
• How are backups handled?
• What happens if the site goes down?

Be crystal clear on who handles what after launch so you’re not stuck wondering who to call when something unexpected happens.

TL;DR: Watch for Red Flags

These are the signs a designer may not be the right fit:

• Vague proposals with no deliverables
• No clarity around timeline
• No mention of content or SEO
• Refusal to provide admin access
• They promise “#1 on Google in 30 days”
• Their contract is… suspiciously short
• They get defensive when you ask questions
• They push you toward a template that doesn’t fit your business
• They ghost you for long stretches

You deserve transparency, communication, and a clear process.

Your Website Should Be an Asset — Not a Headache

Choosing the right designer can save you thousands of dollars, months of time, and years of frustration. When you know what to ask — and what to expect — you’ll feel confident walking into any project.

And if you want a website partner who believes in clarity, collaboration, and giving you full ownership?

Well… you’re in the right place.

Ready to See Exactly What It’s Like to Work With Us?

If you’re tired of vague proposals, mystery pricing, or designers who only tell you half the story, take a look at our website packages.

We lay out everything upfront:

• full deliverables
• timeline + process
• what’s included (and why)
• every annual cost you’ll need to plan for
• transparent pricing — no surprises, ever