Questions to Ask a Web Designer Before You Hire

A polished portfolio shows that a designer can make attractive pages. It does not show how they handle deadlines, ownership, edits or problems after launch. Those are where most disputes begin.

Treat the conversation as an interview. A good designer welcomes specific questions and answers them plainly, in writing. A weak one gets vague, pushes you to sign quickly, or answers everything with "don't worry about it." Pay attention to how they respond, not only what they say.

Prepare before you call. A written web design brief lets you ask better questions and get quotes you can compare. If you are comparing firms rather than individuals, our guide on what to look for in a web design company adds more criteria.

Start here, since these answers affect everything else.

1. Will I own the domain, the design, the content and the website files? The answer should be yes, in writing.
2. Whose name is on the hosting and domain accounts? It should be yours, or you should be added as owner.
3. Will I receive all logins at launch? That includes the CMS, hosting, domain registrar, analytics and Search Console.
4. Is the site built on a platform I can move away from? Proprietary systems can trap you. Compare options in the website platform comparison.
5. Who owns the photos and fonts? Licensed stock images may carry restrictions or ongoing fees.

If a designer says they "host everything" and retains ownership, ask what happens if you stop paying. Some arrangements are legitimate rentals, but you should know the rules before you start.

Ask for a written, itemized quote. Vague totals make comparison impossible.

• What does the quote include: pages, copywriting, photography, revisions, forms, SEO setup, training?
• What is extra: additional pages, stock images, plugins, e-commerce, bilingual versions?
• What is the payment schedule? A deposit of about 30 to 50 percent with milestones is common.
• Is GST, HST, PST or QST charged on top? Registered businesses must add it to invoices.
• What are the hosting, domain and maintenance fees per year?

See how much a website costs for context on these ranges.

• What are the steps and who does each? Discovery, sitemap, design, build, content, testing, launch.
• How long will it take, and what could delay it? Most small sites take roughly 6 to 12 weeks. Late content from the client is the usual cause of delays.
• How many rounds of revisions are included? Two or three is common. Ask how extra rounds are billed.
• Who will I talk to? A single project contact is better than a rotating queue.
• How will we communicate and how fast do you reply? One business day is a reasonable expectation.
• Will I see the site before launch? You should review a staging version, not just screenshots.

A designer who cannot describe the process in plain words probably does not have one. Ask for a sample timeline from a previous project, with client details removed if needed.

Many designers say sites are "SEO-friendly" without defining it. Ask what that means in concrete terms.

1. Will each page have unique titles, headings and meta descriptions?
2. Will you set up redirects from my old pages so I do not lose rankings?
3. Will you install analytics and Search Console, and link my Google Business Profile?
4. What speed targets do you work to, and how do you test? See free website speed tests.
5. Will the site be mobile-friendly and tested on real phones?
6. For Ontario clients, can you meet AODA expectations such as WCAG 2.0 AA?
7. For Quebec, can you deliver French content that complies with Bill 96?

No honest designer can promise rank one on Google, so be cautious about guarantees. Good answers describe the groundwork and an ongoing plan, such as the steps in the local SEO guide.

The launch is the start of the relationship, not the end.

• What support is included after launch, and for how long? A 30-day fix period is common.
• How do I request changes later, and what do they cost? Hourly rates for small edits are often roughly $75 to $150.
• Who handles security updates and backups, and how often?
• Can I edit the site myself, and will you train me?
• How will you handle privacy? Ask about PIPEDA, Law 25 in Quebec, cookie notices and a privacy policy. If forms collect emails for marketing, CASL consent must be handled correctly.
• What happens if you are unavailable or close your business?

A fair contract states these terms in plain language. If something is missing, ask them to add it before you sign.

A dental clinic receives two quotes. Designer A offers a site for $2,800, no itemization, hosting "included." Designer B offers $3,900, itemized: ten pages, copy editing, two revision rounds, redirects, analytics setup, a 30-day fix period, and hosting in the clinic's name for $240 a year.

On price alone, A looks cheaper. On the clinic's questions, A answers slowly, cannot say who owns hosting, and does not mention redirects. B answers all questions in writing within a day, shows two live sites, and puts ownership in the contract.

Two years later, A's "included" hosting would have to be paid for or the clinic would face a messy migration. The cheaper quote may cost more. The clinic picks B. This kind of comparison is easier with clear steps to choose a web designer.

Be cautious if you hear or see any of these:

• Refusal to put ownership terms in writing.
• No live examples, or examples they cannot explain their role in.
• Guaranteed first-page rankings.
• Pressure to pay the full amount upfront.
• Unusually low pricing with no breakdown.
• No contract, or one that is hidden until you pay.
• Reluctance to share references.

Checklist before signing: written quote, ownership clause, timeline, revision limits, payment schedule, support terms, and a named contact. Ask for two client references and actually call them. If you want a second opinion on a quote, lead4pro.com works with Canadian small businesses and can review it with you.