Choosing a Web Designer

Look at Relevant Work

A portfolio tells you a lot, but look beyond whether the sites are pretty. Check whether the designer has worked on projects of a similar size and complexity to yours, and ideally in a related sector — a designer used to simple brochure sites may not be the right fit for a complex booking system, and vice versa.

Where possible, look at live sites rather than static portfolio images, so you can see how the design actually works on a phone and how quickly it loads.

Ask About Process

A clear process is a good sign. Ask how the designer moves from an initial brief through to design drafts, feedback rounds and final build, and how many rounds of revisions are included. Vague answers here often mean a vague process once the project starts.

Also ask about timescale realistically, not just best case. Delays are common in web projects, and a designer who gives you an honest estimate up front is easier to plan around than one who promises an unrealistic date.

Understand the Pricing

Get a written quote that specifies exactly what is included — number of pages, revisions, stock imagery or photography, and support after launch. See our cost guide for what typically drives price up or down.

Be cautious of quotes that seem unusually low compared with others for the same brief — check carefully what is and is not included before assuming it is simply the better deal.

Check What Happens After Launch

Ask who owns the site once it is built, how you access and edit it, and what support is available if something goes wrong. Some designers include a period of free support after launch; others charge for anything beyond the original brief. See our maintenance guide for what ongoing care typically involves.