8 Questions to Ask Your Web Designer Before You Hire Them (A UK Guide)
- Quin @ hotmintdigital
- 17 hours ago
- 5 min read
Choosing a web designer is a big decision and if you’ve never built a website before, it’s easy to feel like you’re relying on blind trust. The reality is not all web design services are created equal. Asking the right questions upfront can save you time, money, and a lot of frustration later down the line. Whether you're a small business owner, startup, or rebranding an existing site, here are 8 essential questions that I would be asking a web designer before signing on the dotted line.
1. Can I update the website myself after launch?
This is one of the most important (and most overlooked) questions. Some websites are built in a way that makes even small updates difficult without going back to your designer, which can quickly become costly and slow. This is actually one of the most common things I've had clients approach me about in my freelance web design journey - they're looking for a new site because they have an old one that was build years ago and now it's starting to look outdated and their designer is either too expensive, slow or AWOL.
Look for:
Easy-to-use platforms (like Wix, Shopify or Squarespace)
Access to your own login details
Basic training or handover guidance - Platforms like Wix allow you to leave personalised tutorial videos for clients so we always do this for our clients so they feel confident and in control after launch.
Of course for any larger updates you may need professional support but as a minimum, you should feel confident making simple updates like changing text, images or blog posts yourself.
2. What are the ongoing costs?
Your website won't be a one-off cost, there are always ongoing expenses to factor in. Make sure you understand these upfront.
Typical costs include:
Hosting or platform subscriptions (like Wix, Shopify or Squarespace etc)
Domain name renewals (often via GoDaddy, NameCheap etc)
Optional maintenance or support packages (Many freelancers or web design agencies will offer optional retainer packages to keep your website maintained and optimised)
A good web designer should be upfront about these from day one, so you can budget properly and avoid surprises. If you're more hands-on, you may even be able to manage some of these subscriptions yourself to make sure you have less dependency on professionals.
3. What platform will you use and why?
There’s no one-size-fits-all platform. The right choice depends on your business, goals, and how hands-on you want to be.
A good designer should explain:
Why the platform suits your specific business needs
How scalable it is as your business grows
How easy it will be for you to manage
If they can’t justify their choice, it may just be what they’re most comfortable using.
4. What do you need from me to make this successful?
A great website is a collaboration, not something that happens in isolation.
Your designer should clearly outline:
What content you’ll need to provide (often things like images, text and branding)
Expected timelines
Where delays typically happen
How they'll keep in contact with you throughout the project
This helps keep the project running smoothly and avoids unnecessary back-and-forth. It also manages expectations from both sides so everyone knows what's expected of them.
5. Can my team also have logins?
If you have a team (or plan to grow one), this is important and can result in sneaky extra costs. Most platforms allow multiple users with different levels of permissions, so you can:
Give access to marketing teams or assistants
Control who can edit what
Avoid sharing one master login
Many platforms only allow a set number of logins per package so if you need lots of logins it's worth letting your designer know this upfront to avoid nasty surprises when you come to select a premium package. It’s a small detail that makes a big difference long-term.
6. How can I keep costs down on this project?
A good web designer won’t just quote a single price, they’ll help you spend your budget wisely. You might be requesting a premium feature that you've seen on a competitors site without understanding the time commitment it will require from your designer. Or you might be asking for multiple pages when you could streamline it into a couple to begin with.
They might suggest:
Starting with a smaller, high-impact site (then scaling later)
Using templates or streamlined builds
Phasing features over time
Using feature workarounds that are cheaper but achieve the same result
Transparency here is a great sign you’re working with someone who actually cares about your business. We always aim to give our clients 2-3 tiered options so they can select the right package for their current needs and budget.
7. Can you help with optimising my site for search engines (SEO)?
A beautiful website is great but it also needs to be found. Ask whether SEO is included as part of the build, such as:
Page structure and headings
Meta titles and descriptions
Mobile optimisation
Page speed optimisation
Even basic SEO setup can make a big difference in how your site performs on Google. Many freelance web designers will quote for SEO separately or as part of a premium package as it can involve a lot of extra hours to implement. Some businesses will want to invest in this from day 1 and for others it may just be a case of having a very basic site initially so it's good to let your designer know where you stand.
8. Do you offer ongoing support or site management packages?
Once your site goes live, you may still need help with updates, improvements, or troubleshooting. We understand that some business owners want to be more hands-on with their website than others so we'll always offer optional rolling website management packages. Many business owners don't feel confident making updates themselves or simply don't enjoy it or have the time. It's also a great option if you need support but aren't quite in the position to hire someone full time yet.
If you do require help, ask:
Is support available after launch?
Are there flexible packages or ad-hoc options?
How quickly can issues be resolved?
This gives you peace of mind that you’re not left on your own once the project is complete.
Final Thoughts: Questions to ask a web designer
Choosing the right web designer shouldn’t feel like a gamble or like it's a big intimidating technical project you won't be in control of. The best designers will be open, transparent, and happy to answer all of these questions - often before you even ask them. Taking the time to ask these upfront will help you find someone who not only builds a great website that you love, but also supports your business as it grows. We always recommend getting a couple of quotes from different freelancers or web design agencies so you can consider all your options and feel confident in your final decision.
If you’re currently exploring a new website or refresh, and want honest advice on the best approach for your business, feel free to get in touch - I’m always happy to chat things through.