Choosing a web designer isn’t just about finding someone who can make a site look nice. Your website will most likely be the first impression customers will have of your business, and if it doesn’t perform well, you’ll lose visitors before they even have a chance to explore what you offer.
Not all web designers are created equal. Some specialize in aesthetics but ignore functionality. Others can build technically sound sites but lack creative flair. Then there are those who promise the world but deliver a site that feels outdated the moment it launches.
So how do you find the right fit? Let’s look at some great questions to ask before hiring a new web designer for your next project.
How Do You Use Graphics and Video to Improve Engagement?
A website without strong visuals is like a storefront with no sign. The right combination of graphics and video can make a website feel modern, engaging, and interactive. But simply adding visuals isn’t enough—poorly chosen images, slow-loading videos, and inconsistent branding can do more harm than good.
Did you know that graphics and video are essential to web design success? They can guide visitors through a site, reinforce branding, and help explain complex ideas quickly. The key is making sure they’re integrated in a way that enhances user experience rather than overwhelming it.
How Will You Ensure My Website Connects With My Target Audience?
A website that doesn’t speak to its intended audience is a wasted opportunity. The best web design isn’t just visually appealing—it’s built with a deep understanding of who the users are and what they need.
This is why many businesses look to work with an award winning web design agency. Top-tier designers focus on more than just layout—they prioritize how users interact with the site. That means ensuring that the design is intuitive, the messaging is clear, and the entire experience aligns with the brand’s goals.
Before hiring a web designer, ask how they conduct research on your audience. Do they analyze user behavior, or are they just working off generic design templates? A great web designer will take time to understand your market, ensuring that your website is built for the people who matter most—your customers.
What’s Your Plan for Making the Website Load Fast?
Speed matters. A site that takes too long to load will send visitors running—and Google won’t be happy about it either. Search engines prioritize fast websites, meaning that slow load times will push you down in search rankings, making your business harder to find.
A professional web designer should have a clear strategy for optimizing speed. This includes compressing images, minimizing unnecessary scripts, and using modern coding techniques to keep things running smoothly. Ask about their approach to performance optimization. Do they use caching? Do they integrate content delivery networks (CDNs)? The best designers know that a fast-loading site isn’t just a convenience—it’s a necessity.
How Will You Make Sure My Website Is Mobile-Friendly?
Most web traffic comes from different mobile devices nowadays, yet many websites still aren’t properly optimized for small screens. A website that looks great on a desktop but turns into a mess on a smartphone is a missed opportunity.
A good web designer should be able to explain their approach to responsive design. This means ensuring that text is readable without zooming, buttons are large enough to tap, and navigation works just as well on a phone as it does on a computer. Ask what tools they use for mobile testing and whether they’ll create separate mobile-first designs or use a flexible grid system that adapts to any screen size.
What’s Your Approach to SEO?
Even the best-designed website won’t be effective if no one can find it. Search engine optimization (SEO) ensures that your site ranks well on Google and even other search engines, bringing in organic traffic.
Ask your web designer how they incorporate SEO into their process. Do they optimize images and metadata? Do they ensure that the site structure is search engine-friendly? A well-optimized website should be built with SEO in mind from the very start—not treated as an afterthought.
The best web designers understand that SEO is an ongoing process. They won’t just build a site and leave you to figure out the rest—they’ll set up a solid foundation that makes it easier for you to grow your online presence over time.
How Will You Support the Site After It’s Launched?
A website isn’t a one-and-done project. Once it goes live, you’ll need updates, security patches, and occasional tweaks to keep it running smoothly. If something breaks or you need to make a change, will your web designer be available to help?
Ask about post-launch support. Some designers offer ongoing maintenance packages, while others provide training so you can handle updates yourself. Find out if they’ll be available for troubleshooting, how quickly they respond to issues, and what their policies are for long-term support.
