IN THIS ARTICLE · 7 PARTS
Hiring someone to build your website is easier when you know what to ask. These fifteen questions cover the things that cause most problems later. A good designer or studio will be happy to answer all of them.
About their work
You can check the speed of their sites yourself with Google's free PageSpeed Insights [1].
- Can I see websites you built that are live now? Open them on your phone. Are they fast, clear and different from each other?
- Have you worked with businesses like mine? Not essential, but useful.
- Who will actually design and build my site? The person you talk to, a team, or someone you never meet?
About the process
- What are the steps, and how long does each take? You should get a clear answer, not "it depends".
- What do you need from me, and when? Texts, photos, logo, access to the domain. See what to prepare before you get a new website.
- How many rounds of changes are included in the design?
- Will the site be checked on phones before launch?
About cost
- What is the total cost over two or three years? Including hosting, domain, SSL, updates and changes.
- What is not included? This answer is often more important than the price.
- How much does a small change cost after launch, such as a new price or photo?
About ownership
ICANN, which coordinates domain names worldwide, sets out the rights and responsibilities of the domain holder [2].
- Who owns the domain? It should be registered in your business's name: domain and hosting explained.
- Who owns the content and the design? Can you take your texts and photos with you if you leave?
- What happens if I want to stop working with you?
About support
- Who do I contact when something breaks, and how fast do you answer?
- Will the site be built with SEO basics in mind? Titles, descriptions, speed, mobile layout: SEO for a business website: where to start.
Clear answers to these questions are a good sign. Vague answers usually become extra invoices later.
Compare the answers side by side
Ask every candidate the same questions and write the answers in a simple table. Then read how to choose the right web agency and what to check in a website contract. If you would like our answers to all fifteen, get in touch. Google's own advice on hiring SEO help works for web designers too: be wary of anyone who guarantees a #1 ranking [3].
References
- Google for Developers. "About PageSpeed Insights." developers.google.com
- ICANN. "Registrants' Benefits and Responsibilities." icann.org
- Google Search Central. "Do you need an SEO?" developers.google.com
