10 Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Website Designer (So You Don’t Waste Time or Money)

Hiring a website designer is a big decision. Your website is often the first impression people have of your business. It’s your digital storefront, your online voice, and in many cases, your best salesperson. But with thousands of designers and developers out there—freelancers, agencies, and everything in between—how do you know who to trust?

If you’re a small business owner, startup founder, or marketing lead, this post is for you. Whether you’re rebuilding an old site or starting from scratch, asking the right questions before hiring a website designer can save you time, money, and a whole lot of frustration.

Here are 10 must-ask questions that can help you choose the right person (or team) for your next website project.

1. Can I See Examples of Your Work?

A designer’s portfolio tells you more than their resume ever could. You can see if their style matches your vision and whether they’ve built websites for similar industries or goals.

Clean, modern layouts, mobile responsiveness, and sites that load quickly. Make sure that the designs you’re seeing match the style you’re looking for. If every site looks the same, that could be a red flag—they might not customize their work to fit each client’s brand.

Ask if the designer did both the design and development. Sometimes designers show off work they didn’t actually build or developers show off work they don’t design. Here are White Fox Creative, we do some design work, but also bring in outside designers for clients who are looking for more specialized design.

2. What Is Your Process From Start to Finish?

Great designers don’t just “make things pretty.” They follow a clear, strategic process. Understanding how they work helps set expectations and gives you insight into how they solve problems.

They should talk about research, wireframes or mockups (depending on your website build level), design revisions, development, testing, and launch. If they jump straight to “we build the site” without asking about goals or target audience, that’s a problem.

3. Do You Specialize in Any Platforms or Tools?

Not all website platforms are created equal. A designer who specializes in WordPress might not be the best fit if you’re looking for a custom Webflow or Shopify build. We work primarily in WordPress, though we do take on clients for Shopify and Webflow depending on their needs.

What to ask next:

• “Why do you use that platform?”
• “Is it easy for non-technical people to update the site later?”
• “Are there ongoing license or hosting costs I should know about?”

4. How Do You Handle Content (Text, Images, SEO)?

A website with bad content won’t perform well, no matter how beautiful it looks. Ask if the designer helps with writing, editing, Search Engine Optimization (SEO), or sourcing high-quality images.

Some designers expect you to provide everything. Others offer content strategy, keyword research, or even professional copywriting as part of their package.

5. Who Will I Be Working With Directly?

Communication is key to a successful project. Will you be talking directly to the designer, or going through a project manager? Are they outsourcing to someone overseas, or doing the work in-house?

What to confirm:

• How quickly they respond to emails or calls
• What their preferred tools are (email, Slack, Zoom, etc.)
• How often you’ll get updates

6. What Is the Timeline for the Project?

Why this matters: You need to know how long your project will take—and whether the timeline fits your goals (like launching before a big event or campaign).

What to ask next:

• “What would delay the project?”
• “How many revisions are included?”
• “What happens if we miss a feedback deadline?”

A good designer builds in buffer time and has a plan for staying on schedule. If their answer is “It depends,” ask for a sample timeline based on similar projects.

7. How Much Will It Cost—and What’s Included?

Why this matters: Website pricing can vary wildly—from $1000 to $50,000 or more. Knowing exactly what you’re paying for prevents surprises later.

What to get in writing:

• Is this a flat-rate or hourly project?
• Are revisions included?
• What happens if we need extra features later?
• Is hosting, support, or maintenance included?

8. Will the Website Be Mobile-Friendly and Fast?

This should be a given in 2025, but it doesn’t hurt to double-check. More than half of all web traffic comes from mobile devices. If your site doesn’t work well on phones or takes too long to load, people will bounce.

Ask for proof:

• “Can I see mobile versions of your past work?”
• “What steps do you take to improve site speed?”
• “Do you optimize images and code?”

9. Do You Offer Training or Ongoing Support?

What happens after launch? Will you know how to make small edits, post blogs, or update images? Or will you have to pay for every little change?

Ask about:

• Training sessions or videos
• Support packages or retainers
• What happens if something breaks after launch
• Even if you’re not tech-savvy, a good designer will empower you to run your site (or be there if you need help).

10. Can You Share References or Testimonials?

Just like hiring an employee, you want to know if this person delivers on their promises. Past clients can tell you what it’s really like to work with them.

Ask for 2–3 references you can contact. Or read testimonials and case studies on their website. You can even check reviews on Google, LinkedIn, or industry forums. Check out our Testimonials >

What Happens If You Don’t Ask These Questions?

If you skip these conversations, you could end up with:

A site that looks nice but doesn’t help your business grow
Hidden costs you didn’t plan for
Missed deadlines and poor communication
A designer who disappears after launch
The goal isn’t just to get a website—it’s to get a website that works for your business, your audience, and your long-term goals.

How to Know You’ve Found the Right Designer

The best designers don’t just build websites. They solve problems. They ask smart questions. They listen carefully, give helpful advice, and care about your success—not just your money.

When you find someone who:

Understands your goals
Has the skills to execute
Communicates clearly
And treats your business like it matters…
That’s when you know you’re in good hands.

Final Thoughts

Hiring a website designer or developer is an investment. The right partner will save you time, bring fresh ideas to the table, and help you stand out online. The wrong one? They’ll cost you—in more ways than one.

So take your time. Do your homework. And use these 10 questions to guide your decision:

1. Can I see examples of your work?
2. What is your process from start to finish?
3. Do you specialize in any platforms or tools?
4. How do you handle content (text, images, SEO)?
5. Who will I be working with directly?
6. What is the timeline for the project?
7. How much will it cost—and what’s included?
8. Will the website be mobile-friendly and fast?
9. Do you offer training or ongoing support?
10. Can you share references or testimonials?

The answers will tell you everything you need to know.

Need help finding a web designer that checks all the boxes? Reach out to Kim at White Fox Creative who understands both the design and the strategy behind a great website. A little extra effort now can save you a lot of stress later.