Choosing a web designer.
Eight questions to ask before you pay anyone a deposit. Good designers answer them without hesitating. The ones who don’t are telling you something.
1. Who owns the domain and the website?
Your domain name is your address online. It should be registered in your name, or transferred to you, whoever sets it up. Ask the same about the site itself: if you part ways, do you get the files and content, and is there a fee?
2. What exactly does the price include?
Get the number of pages, the rounds of changes and anything extra, like booking or a contact form, in writing. A low headline price with a long list of extras isn’t a low price.
3. How many rounds of changes do I get?
“Unlimited changes” sounds generous and usually means a slow project. A set number of rounds, with a clear price for more, keeps everyone moving.
4. When will it be ready, and when does the clock start?
A date is only useful if you know what has to happen first. Usually that’s a deposit and your content. Ask what happens if they miss it.
5. Who will I actually talk to?
With some agencies you speak to a salesperson, then an account manager, and never meet whoever builds it. Ask who you’ll deal with after launch, when something needs changing on a Friday afternoon.
6. Can I see real work, live?
Screenshots can be mocked up. Ask for links to live sites, open them on your phone, and check whether they’re fast, clear and easy to get in touch through.
7. What does it cost to keep it running?
Hosting, the domain, security updates and small changes all cost something every year. Find out what’s included in any monthly fee, how quickly they reply, and whether you can cancel.
8. What happens if I want to leave?
Plans change. A good designer will hand everything over cleanly. If the answer involves exit fees or your site being switched off, that’s worth knowing now.
Our answers
The domain and content are yours. Builds are a fixed £350 for up to 5 pages or £700 for up to 10, with one or two rounds of changes, and built within 5 working days of your deposit and content. You’ll talk to Kieran and Maks from the first call onwards. Our work is live to click through. Care plans are optional and monthly, and if you leave once the build is paid, we hand over your files and content free of charge. The detail is on pricing and how it works.
Ask us all eight.
Call or message and put us to the test. You’ll get straight answers, a fixed price and a date.
Let's talk about your website