6 Essential Questions to Ask Your Website Designer Before Starting Your Project

6 Questions That You Should Be Asking Your Website Designer

Posted On 31st January 2021

In an era where your online presence can determine how customers perceive your brand, investing in a quality website is more important than ever. Whether you’re reimagining an existing platform or launching a brand-new site, the relationship you build with your website designer can heavily influence the final outcome. Before you commit time and resources, it’s wise to have clarity on exactly how your designer works, what they prioritize, and how they’ll align their expertise with your overall business objectives.

Below, we explore six critical questions that every business owner, marketing manager, or entrepreneur should ask a website designer before kicking off a project. By addressing these points, you’ll be better equipped to forge a successful partnership, avoid costly miscommunications, and ultimately create an online presence that elevates your brand.


1. Are You Aligned with Marketing and SEO Best Practices?

Why This Matters

In today’s digital world, a website is not merely about looking good—it’s about driving measurable business results. A designer who appreciates the importance of marketing and SEO (Search Engine Optimization) from the outset can streamline your path to greater visibility, user engagement, and conversions.

Points to Clarify

  • Keyword Research and Integration: Ask how the designer incorporates targeted keywords into elements like title tags, meta descriptions, headings, and overall site architecture.
  • URL Structure: Confirm that the designer creates clean, descriptive URLs relevant to your content. This can enhance both user experience and your standing in search engine rankings.
  • Mobile-Friendliness: As Google’s mobile-first indexing continues to evolve, ensure your site is built to display seamlessly on various devices.
  • Loading Speed Optimization: Site speed plays a role in search engine rankings. Tools like Google’s PageSpeed Insights can help your designer identify areas to refine.

How It Helps You

A website that follows SEO best practices from day one typically sees faster ranking improvements, stronger lead generation, and better long-term returns on your investment in digital marketing. By choosing a designer who understands these elements, you’re setting your online presence up for success rather than simply relying on appearance alone.


2. Will You Provide Guidance on How to Update and Manage the Site?

Why This Matters

Your website should be a dynamic platform that evolves alongside your brand. From adding fresh blog posts to launching new product lines, you’ll often need to make updates without waiting for external help. A designer who empowers you with user-friendly management tools can save you valuable time and cut down on maintenance costs.

Points to Clarify

  • Content Management System (CMS): Ask which CMS they recommend—popular options include WordPress, Drupal, or Joomla. A robust CMS often offers intuitive dashboards, straightforward editing, and a wide selection of plugins.
  • Training and Documentation: Does the designer provide tutorials or training sessions? Comprehensive documentation that explains how to edit pages, upload images, or add new posts can be invaluable.
  • Scalability: Inquire about how easily the site can expand if you decide to integrate additional features, like e-commerce or multilingual support, down the road.

How It Helps You

A website you can update independently allows you to react quickly to market changes, publish timely content, and stay engaged with your audience. Having direct control over your site also frees your designer to focus on bigger enhancements, rather than minor content edits.


3. How Will You Ensure the Design Works Seamlessly Across All Devices?

Why This Matters

Mobile traffic has soared over the past decade, making it essential for your site to look and function flawlessly on smartphones, tablets, laptops, and desktops. Beyond user experience, search engines favor mobile-friendly websites, often giving them higher priority in rankings.

Points to Clarify

  • Responsive Layouts: Find out if your designer uses responsive design principles, ensuring elements adapt automatically to various screen sizes.
  • Device and Browser Testing: Confirm they test on multiple devices (e.g., iOS, Android) and popular browsers like Chrome, Firefox, and Safari.
  • Image Optimization: High-resolution images can slow down page loading, especially on mobile data connections. Ask how they optimize images so they look sharp without throttling speed.

How It Helps You

Responsive, mobile-friendly design enhances user satisfaction. Visitors are more likely to stay on your pages if they can effortlessly browse, read, and interact—no matter where they are or which device they use. As a result, your engagement metrics and conversion rates often improve, and search engines reward sites that are mobile-friendly with better visibility.


4. Do I Need Specialized Coding Knowledge to Make Future Changes?

Why This Matters

Some websites rely on complex code that only experienced developers can modify. Others use more intuitive systems, allowing team members without programming backgrounds to manage updates. Understanding the level of complexity involved can save you from unforeseen maintenance issues or expensive external support.

Points to Clarify

  • Drag-and-Drop Builders vs. Custom Code: Does the designer plan to rely on a user-friendly builder (like Elementor or Divi within WordPress) or custom-coded solutions that offer total freedom but can be more complex to maintain?
  • Plugin Dependencies: Ask about the number of plugins and whether they’re regularly updated. Although plugins can simplify certain features, they can also become security risks if neglected.
  • Support for Non-Technical Users: If your team members aren’t tech-savvy, confirm that the final design includes simplified editing dashboards, or ask if the designer offers ongoing support plans.

How It Helps You

Having a clear picture of the coding and tools underpinning your site helps you plan for the future. If you or your team can manage certain tasks in-house, you’ll reduce maintenance costs and more readily adapt content to marketing campaigns or shifting consumer trends.


5. What Is Your Typical Response Time for Support or Troubleshooting?

Why This Matters

Even the best-built websites can encounter unexpected glitches, plugin conflicts, or performance slowdowns. When these occur, swift attention can make the difference between a minor hiccup and a drawn-out issue that hampers customer experience or leads to lost revenue. A transparent support agreement clarifies expectations and fosters trust.

Points to Clarify

  • Standard Service Level Agreements (SLAs): Does the designer or agency have an SLA outlining response times? You’ll want to know if they guarantee assistance within a certain number of hours or days.
  • Preferred Communication Channels: Confirm how you’ll reach the designer—be it via email, phone, or a dedicated support portal.
  • Additional Support Costs: Some designers include ongoing support in their packages, while others bill by the hour or offer monthly retainers.

How It Helps You

An efficient support system ensures your site remains functional and user-friendly, preventing issues like downtime and subpar performance from impacting your credibility or revenue. Knowing exactly who to contact and when can also reduce stress, enabling you to focus on strategic growth rather than troubleshooting tech problems.


6. Are You Using a Custom or Template-Based Approach?

Why This Matters

Website design can be tailored from scratch or created with pre-made templates. Each approach offers distinct advantages and trade-offs, influencing not only the cost but also the uniqueness and functionality of your site. Understanding which direction your designer prefers will help you judge whether it aligns with your brand vision and goals.

Points to Clarify

  • Brand-Specific Customizations: If your designer uses a template, ask whether they can modify layouts, color schemes, and fonts to reflect your brand identity.
  • Long-Term Flexibility: Custom-coded sites provide greater creative control and can evolve with your business. Templates often have limitations, especially if they rely heavily on third-party modules or themes.
  • Timeline and Cost: Custom builds usually demand more time and resources, which can affect your project schedule and overall budget.

How It Helps You

By deciding early on how unique your site needs to be—and whether a template can meet your standards—you’ll shape the scope and budget of the project. If you need advanced features or you have a distinctive brand identity, a custom approach may be worth the extra investment. Conversely, if you require a quick turnaround and have modest design needs, a well-chosen template might suffice.


Additional Considerations for a Successful Collaboration

1. Timeline and Milestones

Ask for a detailed project timeline outlining when you can expect wireframes, initial mockups, the first demo site, revisions, and final launch. Clear deadlines keep both parties accountable.

2. References and Case Studies

Request examples of past work, particularly designs similar to your industry or site requirements. This can give you insights into a designer’s style, technical expertise, and creative approach.

3. Integration with Other Platforms

If you plan to link third-party tools—like email marketing software, e-commerce systems, or analytics dashboards—ask whether the designer has experience in these areas. Seamless integration can save time and reduce headaches later.

4. Transfer of Ownership

Clarify who owns the website’s code, assets, and content once the project ends. Confirm you’ll have all the access you need, especially if you ever switch hosting providers or hire a different agency for updates.

5. Ongoing Maintenance Packages

Even after launch, your site will need security updates, plugin upgrades, and occasional bug fixes. A monthly or annual maintenance plan can give you peace of mind, ensuring timely patches and reducing the risk of vulnerabilities.


Crafting the Right Partnership

Choosing the right web designer involves far more than simply reviewing samples or comparing quotes. By diving deeper into these six questions, you uncover not only a designer’s skillset but also their communication style, responsiveness, and commitment to delivering a website that genuinely elevates your brand. This conversation helps you balance creativity, functionality, and value—paving the way for a digital presence that stands out in search engine rankings, wows your visitors, and fosters ongoing growth.


Putting It All Together

Building or updating a website is a significant endeavor that directly impacts how your target audience interacts with and perceives your brand. By addressing key concerns about design strategy, technical requirements, support availability, and maintenance logistics, you can enter the collaboration fully prepared. This foundation reduces the likelihood of misunderstandings, costly changes, or last-minute surprises.

Ultimately, your website should feel like an extension of your company’s ethos: inviting, efficient, and aligned with your broader business goals. By asking these essential questions before you hire, you’ll help ensure that the final product meets—and ideally exceeds—your expectations. If you’re ready to embark on a website project, start an open dialogue with potential designers who can integrate marketing savvy, modern development techniques, and user-focused design into every facet of your site. That holistic approach transforms a standard online platform into a powerful asset, driving long-term success in an increasingly competitive marketplace.


Interested in building a results-driven website?
Whether you’re aiming to refine an existing platform or start from scratch, the right web designer or digital agency can guide you every step of the way. By clarifying your priorities early, you’ll set the stage for a strong partnership that yields a website built to impress your audience, scale with your objectives, and position you for sustained growth in the digital space.

 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Why is it essential to ask questions before hiring a website designer?

Discussing key concerns upfront provides clarity on everything from design approach to ongoing support. It ensures you understand how the designer works, aligns expectations, and reduces the risk of mismatched goals or unpleasant surprises down the road.


2. How does SEO factor into website design?

Search engine optimization begins at the design stage. From structuring URLs to ensuring mobile responsiveness and site speed, every technical and content decision can influence how search engines crawl and rank your site. A designer aware of SEO best practices helps you build a solid foundation for high visibility online.


3. Do I really need a Content Management System (CMS) if I’m not posting content frequently?

Even if you publish content infrequently, a CMS can streamline page updates and maintenance. It allows you (or your team) to make changes quickly without coding expertise. A user-friendly CMS also lowers long-term costs, since you won’t need a developer for every small update.


4. What’s the difference between a custom site and one built from a template?

  • Custom Site: Built from the ground up, offering unique features and tailored designs specific to your brand identity. This can be more expensive and time-intensive but often stands out for originality.
  • Template-Based Site: Uses pre-made layouts, reducing development time and cost. However, it may look less distinctive and might have functionality limitations compared to a bespoke solution.

5. Should I be concerned about how my site looks on mobile devices?

Absolutely. A significant portion of online traffic now comes from smartphones and tablets. A mobile-friendly design improves user experience and is favored by search engines like Google. Sites that aren’t optimized for mobile risk higher bounce rates and lower search rankings.


6. Can I handle minor website changes myself, or will I always need a developer?

It depends on your setup. If your website uses a straightforward CMS and you have administrative access, you can typically make content edits, add new pages, or upload images on your own. For larger structural changes or custom code tweaks, you may still want developer assistance.


7. How soon should I expect responses if something goes wrong with my site?

Response times vary by designer or agency. Some offer same-day or next-day support, while others have weekly turnaround. Clarify service level agreements (SLAs) or support contracts to avoid frustration if urgent issues arise.


8. Why do some website designers charge a lot more than others?

Pricing often reflects the designer’s experience, the complexity of the project, and the level of customization you need. Higher-priced designers may include in-depth strategy, custom coding, and advanced features that improve scalability, user experience, and long-term ROI.


9. Which metrics indicate a successful website design?

Key metrics include bounce rate, average session duration, conversion rate, and return visits. Improving these metrics typically points to a more engaging, user-friendly site. SEO rankings and feedback from customers or peers can also confirm your site’s effectiveness.


10. Should I ask for references or examples of past work before hiring a designer?

Yes. Reviewing a designer’s portfolio or client testimonials helps gauge their style, capabilities, and professionalism. It’s an excellent way to ensure they have experience relevant to your needs, especially if you operate in a specialized industry.


11. Do I own all site content once the project is finished?

Ownership details vary. Typically, you own the site’s unique content—like text, images, and branding—while certain software or licensed elements (themes, plugins) may remain under third-party licenses. Clarify these points in your contract to avoid disputes over intellectual property.


12. How do I ensure my site remains secure after launch?

Regular updates, strong passwords, SSL certificates, and responsible plugin management are pivotal for security. Many designers offer monthly or annual maintenance packages covering security patches and performance checks. Staying proactive helps protect your data and your users’ trust.


13. What if I decide to expand my website’s features in the future?

Discuss scalability during the planning phase. If you foresee adding e-commerce, customer portals, or a multilingual interface, your designer can build a flexible foundation that accommodates future growth more easily than a rigid, one-off setup.


14. Will a one-page site be enough for my business?

One-page sites can work for simple portfolios or landing pages, but most businesses benefit from multiple pages to detail services, case studies, client testimonials, and more. Consider your audience’s needs. If they require comprehensive info, a multi-page structure is often the better choice.


15. How do I know if my site is truly successful once it’s live?

Monitor analytics to track user behavior, conversion rates, and overall traffic. Seek feedback from clients or team members, and stay open to iterative improvements. A successful website is rarely static—it evolves with your brand, refining experiences as you learn more about your audience’s preferences.

Written by David Hunt - Website Designer

"David is a passionate web and app developer with 15+ years of experience having worked on nearly 600 websites and apps for local and international SMEs and corporations. We're happy to have David with us as one of our lead developers"

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