Choosing a web designer: 7 questions you must ask

The choice is overwhelming: freelancers, agencies, nephews who "also make websites". The difference between a good choice and an expensive mistake lies in the questions you ask upfront. These seven help you choose sharply.

1. "Show me your own website"

A web designer's own site is the ultimate calling card. Does it load fast? Does it look professional on your phone? Is it clear what you should do? If not, why would your website turn out any better?

2. "What did your projects deliver for clients?"

Pretty pictures say little. Ask about results: more enquiries, higher conversion, better rankings. A web designer who only talks about colours and fonts designs for themselves. One who talks about your customers designs for your revenue.

3. "Who will I actually be working with?"

At larger agencies the director sells the project and a junior builds it. Ask who will actually work on your website and whether you can speak to that person directly.

4. "What about speed and SEO?"

Ask explicitly about load times and technical SEO. A serious professional has an immediate answer, including how they measure it. "We’ll fix that later" is a red flag: repairing technology afterwards is more expensive than doing it right straight away.

5. "What happens after launch?"

Websites are not a one-off product. Who handles updates and security? What does maintenance cost? Can you easily edit texts yourself? Get this in writing before you sign.

6. "What does it cost, exactly?"

Ask for a fixed price with a clear description of what is included: number of feedback rounds, copy, photography, hosting. Vague quotes become expensive surprises.

7. "May I call a reference?"

Reviews from real clients are worth gold. Even better: a short phone call with a previous client. Every confident web designer will arrange that without hesitation.

In closing

The best web designer for you is not the cheapest or the most awarded, but the one who understands that your website is a sales channel. Curious how I answer these questions myself? Feel free to ask me, of lees eerst what my clients say.