How to Choose a Web Designer: A First-Timer's Guide to Not Getting Burned

Here's how to choose a web designer: get the price in writing, find out who owns the site when it's done, and look at real work they've shipped. If they go vague on any of those, walk.

Every designer's homepage says "quality is our passion." So does the menu at a gas station that sells sushi.

So let's skip the slogans and talk about what actually separates a good first hire from an expensive lesson.

How to choose a web designer: the five-minute version

• Price: published or written down before you sign.
• Ownership: you own the code and the domain. Full stop.
• Proof: live sites you can click, not mockups.
• Search: a real answer on how you'll show up on Google.
• After launch: what's included, what's extra, and what it costs.

That's the whole checklist. The rest of this post is why each one matters.

Ask who owns the site

This is the question first-timers skip, and it's the one that bites hardest. Some "designers" are really subscription landlords. You pay monthly forever, and if you stop paying, your site moves out with them.

Ask it plainly: "If we part ways, do I keep the code, the domain, and the content?" A good designer says yes without blinking.

If the answer starts with "well, technically," you have your answer.

Get the price in writing, early

Plenty of studios hide pricing behind a "discovery call." That's not always shady, since big custom projects really do need scoping. But for a small business site, you should be able to get a ballpark before anyone books a meeting with you.

For reference, our own prices are on the pricing page: Starter is $2,500 one-time for up to 5 pages, and Studio is $6,500 one-time for up to 12. Payment is 50% to begin and 50% on delivery.

Whoever you hire, ask these too:

• How many rounds of revisions are included?
• What's the timeline, in days or weeks?
• What costs come after launch, like hosting?

That last one matters. Every website has some running cost, at minimum hosting. Anyone who says "zero ongoing costs, ever" is selling you something.

Look at real work (and ask whose it is)

Mockups are easy. Live sites are proof. Click through their portfolio on your phone to check how it works on a small screen.

Then ask a fair question: which of these were for outside clients?

Honesty check on ourselves: we have six live projects. Five are the founder's own ventures and products, and one (Kozi Korner Therapy) is an external client. You deserve to know that kind of thing up front, from us or anyone.

Ask how you'll get found on Google

A pretty site nobody finds is a very nice brochure in a locked drawer. Ask any designer how they handle SEO. You want specifics: fast pages, clean code, page titles built around what customers actually search, and a site structure that makes sense.

If the answer is "we install a plugin," that's a shrug, not a plan. And if anyone offers you 500 backlinks for $5, they're also selling a bridge.

Know what happens after launch

The launch is the start, not the finish. Ask what support you get after the site goes live, how long it lasts, and what counts as "new work."

With us, Starter includes 30 days of post-launch support and Studio includes 90. Ongoing maintenance is optional, and owning your code never depends on signing up for it.

Optional is the key word. Ownership should never be held hostage by a support plan.

When you shouldn't hire a designer at all

Real talk: sometimes the right designer is you, on a weekend, with a builder.

• Testing a brand new idea? Use a cheap builder first.
• Budget under a few hundred bucks? A clean DIY site wins.
• Just need a page that says you exist? Builders do that fine.

We wrote a whole honest breakdown of whether to use Wix or hire a web designer. Sometimes the answer is "don't hire us," and that's fine.

Does local matter?

It helps if you like meeting over coffee. It isn't required, but ask any remote designer how communication and reviews will work.

We're based in Bonaire, GA and serve businesses across Georgia, including Macon, and nationwide. Pick the designer who answers your questions clearly, wherever they sit.

FAQ

How much should a first website cost?

It varies a lot. DIY builders run a monthly fee, freelancers range widely, and custom studios usually start in the low thousands. Get every quote in writing and compare what's actually included.

How long should it take to build a small business site?

Often a few days to a few weeks for a small site. Our Starter typically ships in 3 to 5 days, and Studio runs 1 to 2 weeks depending on scope.

Should I hire a freelancer or an agency?

Size matters less than clarity. A one-person studio (we're one) can be great if they're responsive and transparent. A big agency can be great too, if you're not paying for three account managers to forward your emails.

What should I have ready before I contact a designer?

A rough budget, a list of pages you need, and two or three sites you like. Your logo and photos help too, even if they're rough.

What's the biggest red flag?

Vague answers about ownership or cost. If you can't get a straight answer before you pay, it won't get straighter after.

The bottom line

Choose a web designer who puts the price in writing, lets you own everything, and shows you real live work. Ask how you'll get found on Google and what happens after launch. If a builder fits your budget and goals better, use the builder and skip the designer for now.

Want to see how our side of that checklist looks for your business? Email us for a number, not a sales pitch.