10 Smart Questions to Ask Your Web Designer (Before You Hand Over a Cent)
Because not all web designers are created equal and you trust the experts will do what you need!
Let’s talk about websites
You know you need one. Maybe you’ve already got one. Or maybe you’ve had one built recently and it looks pretty good… But is it actually doing its job?
Here’s what I see all the time: Business owners spending good money on a website sometimes through a cheap freelancer, sometimes even a friend and getting something that looks nice, but completely misses the mark when it comes to structure, strategy, or searchability.
It’s not your fault. Most people don’t know what to ask when hiring a web designer.
And the truth is, not all web designers are created equal.
Some are focused on visuals only. Some know their way around templates but not much about SEO. And some (like me!) approach your website as a strategic business tool - one that needs to look good, work hard, and grow with you.
Here’s a real example: I recently reviewed a site that a web designer charges $1,000 for that had no H1s at all - just a string of H2s. To the human eye? It looked totally fine. To Google? There was no page title. No clear content hierarchy. No strong signal to say what the page was even about.
These things matter. But unless your designer knows (and cares), you’re not going to find out until your site underperforms - or disappears into Google’s back pages.
Whether you’re hiring a designer for the first time or auditing the one you already have, these 10 smart questions will help you make a confident, informed decision and get a website that actually works for your business.
I won't mention the 2 grammatical errors and the error in the email address link... that I also found. Sometimes you truly do get what you pay for!
Here's my top 10 questions to ask your web designer:
How do you structure headings (H1, H2, H3) for SEO & accessibility?
Search engines rely on a single, well-placed H1 heading per page supported by a clear hierarchy (H2, H3, etc.) to understand your content.
No H1s or multiple H1s can confuse search engines and reduce your visibility online.
Will my site be mobile-friendly and responsive across all devices?
More than half your traffic is mobile. If your site only works well on a laptop, you’re losing leads without even knowing it. Poor mobile optimisation causes 53% of mobile users to abandon a site if it takes longer than 3 seconds to load. - Source: Google/SOASTA Research
Do you optimise images for speed and SEO?
Slow-loading images and missing alt-text = a red flag.
Your designer should compress images without losing quality and add alt-text to support SEO and accessibility.
What SEO basics are included in the build?
You need more than just a pretty face.
Ask whether your meta titles, meta descriptions, alt text, and image names will be optimised - or if you’ll need to handle SEO separately.
Will I be able to update the content myself afterwards?
You shouldn’t need to pay for minor edits.
A good designer sets up your site so you can make basic changes confidently.
Do you set up Google Search Console and analytics?
If your site isn’t submitted to Google, it won’t show up in search results.
GSC also alerts you to issues (like broken links, mobile problems, or indexing errors) and helps track your visibility.
How do you make sure the site reflects my brand not just your design style?
Your site should feel like an extension of you.
Not a cookie-cutter layout with your logo dropped in. Your voice, values, and vibe should shine through.
Will my site be scalable for future growth?
t should be easy to add things later like a blog, bookings, online shop, or newsletter sign-up.
Future-proofing now saves you time and money later.
Do you include calls-to-action and customer journey strategy?
Your site needs to guide people. How do your site pages interract with each other and why does that matter?
From landing on your page… to clicking “Book Now” or “Get in Touch,” every page should have a purpose and a next step.
Can you explain things in plain English?
If your designer can’t break it down simply, they’re either hiding something or not as confident as they claim.
You deserve to understand your site, not feel overwhelmed by jargon.
Final thoughts
A lot goes into a high-performing website and it’s easy to get stuck with something that looks good but under-delivers behind the scenes.
Before you hand over your hard-earned cash, ask these questions.
Better yet ask me. I’m happy to do a quick check under the hood of your current site or chat through your goals for a new one.
Stats show that 88% of people won’t return to a website after a bad user experience and if your site takes more than 3 seconds to load on mobile, over half of your visitors are already gone.
A beautiful website that’s slow, clunky, or confusing? It’s not just annoying. It’s costing you enquiries, credibility, and cash.
Want to know if your website is helping or holding you back?
Book a free 30-minute discovery call and let’s take a look.
