Top 7 Questions To Ask Your Potential Web Designer

Getting a new website can be super exciting, but who you pick to build it can make all the difference! It can either be an easy fun process with a great end result or a terrible experience. By asking these types of questions to yourself or the designer, you’ll ensure you pick the perfect web designer that’s right for your business & needs.

Questions to Ask Your Website Designer

1. The Designer’s Style & Aesthetic

Take a look at their portfolio and ask yourself – Does their past work fit your style & vision? Do they have any experience with your industry? Every designer has a different style, which may not always be what you’re envisioning. Some designers will refuse to work with websites that are colorful and fun, or some may only work with wedding professionals.

I love to work with a variety of styles & industries as seen below! Whether you’re looking for a luxurious elegant design or a crazy colorful website, I love the challenge. When speaking with your potential website designer, give them a direction on what you’re envisioning for the website to ensure you’re all on the same page. Keep in mind that some designers are industry-focused.

2. Do you have case studies to present?

A website designer can showcase a beautiful portfolio & great testimonials, but what are the results that came from the website build? When I receive feedback & results from past clients, I add them to my case studies on my website! A website can look beautiful but also needs to be built strategically & with user experience in mind, for the best conversions.

Take a look at my past client Ivy Lane Cottage‘s case study for example! Within weeks of launch, they fully booked out their cottage rental. This means that the website was a good return on investment & was designed strategically to ensure conversions.

3. What happens when the website is completed?

If you want full ownership of your website & the freedom to change anything you’d like, go for an easy website platform (like Showit 🤗) and a designer who offers educational resources to ensure you feel confident making those changes on your own. If you prefer to outsource all updates, look for a designer who offers maintenance as well. A lot of designers won’t work with websites they haven’t built themselves, which could be an issue if you had chosen a designer who doesn’t offer any help after the website is finished.

I personally offer maintenance tasks at my hourly rate for existing clients, and always happy to help with updates & new pages! But I do offer them everything they need to feel confident making simple changes on their own, with a personalized video tutorial.

4. How many rounds of revisions are included?

What if you receive the website & you’re not completely happy? Typically designers include 2-3 rounds of revisions, then charge additional revisions at their hourly rate. Make sure you are aware of their hourly rate & how many revisions you’re allowed to send before it reaches a limit.

5. What is your design process?

If they have a detailed timeline/process guide to showcase, signs are that they have great design experience! You want a designer that takes the lead on the entire process, that’s what you hired them to do. When someone inquires with me, they receive a detailed proposal with absolutely everything they need to know about the design process, content needed and what they can expect along the way.

6. When will my website be completed?

Although designers can’t give you an exact launch date, they should be able to provide a rough timeframe. Keep in mind that the length of the project highly depends on the communication by the client as well.

Check to see if the timeline fits your schedule! I work with only a few clients per month, making each project my top priority. Typically when projects last longer than usual, it is due to not receiving revisions/feedback in a timely manner, when there’s other companies involved (copywriter, brand photographer) or when there’s a lot of content to place.

It’s always good to understand the project deadlines from the designer, what they need from you, and understand their late fees if your project pushes past the due date.

7. What will you need from me to begin?

I love it when clients ask me this before booking a date. Understanding your part in the project will make everything run smoothly. I recommend asking this at the very beginning to prevent scrambling to gather content. You will typically need your branding assets, website copy & photographer, then the designer can build your website using this content.

An experienced web designer will always provide you with direction on what they need from you & when. I provide my clients with a detailed timeline, so they understand what is expected. I always provide a generous amount of time for my clients to prepare content and provide site feedback.

Ready to Talk to a Web Designer?

There are a lot more questions to ask depending on your business goals & vision. Have any more questions or want to speak with a web designer? Feel free to contact me directly, or browse website design packages right here to get started on your website journey!