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The right web designer can bring you steady enquiries for years. The wrong one can leave you with a site you can't edit, don't own and that Google can't find. These ten questions will tell you which is which, whoever you speak to.
1. Can I see recent work for businesses like mine?
Look for live websites, not just mockups, and ideally in your sector. A nursery website and a plumber's website win customers in completely different ways. Ask what changed for the client after launch.
2. Who will I actually be dealing with?
With some agencies you speak to a salesperson, then an account manager, and never meet the designer. With a freelancer or small studio you usually talk to the person doing the work. Neither is wrong, but you should know which you're getting.
3. How do you handle SEO?
A good answer covers a page for every service, titles and descriptions, heading structure, fast loading, structured data and submitting the site to Google Search Console. If SEO is described as an optional extra, be careful: a site that can't be found isn't much use.
4. Will AI tools understand my business?
More customers now ask ChatGPT, Claude or Google's AI for recommendations. Ask how the designer makes sure your services, location and proof are in plain text on the page, with structured data, so AI tools can read and quote them.
5. Who will host and look after the site?
A website needs hosting, security, backups and updates after launch. Ask who handles that, what happens if something breaks, and how quickly changes get made. One team that builds and hosts the site is usually simplest.
6. Can I edit it myself?
You should be able to change text, photos and opening hours without paying every time. Ask for a walkthrough at handover.
7. Who owns the website and the files?
You should own your domain, your content and the finished design once it's paid for. Check the contract, and make sure the domain is registered in your name.
8. If I'm replacing a site, how will you protect my rankings?
The answer should include mapping every existing page, redirecting old addresses, carrying across titles and content that already rank, and checking Search Console after launch.
9. What will it cost to run each year?
Ask about domain, hosting or platform fees, any plugins or apps, and optional care plans. There should be no surprises after launch.
10. What happens after launch?
Websites need small updates, fresh content and the occasional fix. Find out whether the designer offers ongoing support, and what response times look like.
A quick checklist
- Live work in your sector
- Direct contact with the designer
- SEO and AI search built in
- Hosting and support sorted
- You own the site and domain
- A redirect plan if you're replacing a site
- Clear running costs and aftercare
If you're weighing up web designers in Leicester or the East Midlands, we're happy to answer all ten for CL42ITY on a free call.
