Asking the right questions when getting anything done is a surefire way to end up with something you’re happy with. Websites are no exception and it’s safe to assume you want the best website possible for your business. To help you get the best website possible, we’ve listed 15 important questions to ask a web designer before hiring them.

Can you work within my budget?

Some web design companies offer package prices for convenience but bear in mind that few offer “all-in-one” solutions. Be clear and upfront about your budget with any potential web designer to ensure they can work within your budget and you won’t be faced with any unexpected costs.  

Do you outsource some or all of the work?

It’s not uncommon for web designers to outsource some of their work. This can be done for several reasons and, while not bad in itself, can cause problems like unexpected delays and extra costs. Find out exactly what parts of the website your web designer plans to outsource, and make sure you’re comfortable with it.  

Will you be using a content management system (CMS)?

Unless you’re getting a website coded from scratch, most web designers will use a CMS to build and organize the content on your site. While this may not sound like an important detail to know, it’s worth checking what CMS your web designer intends to use to make sure it’s fit for the purpose. This is especially important if you plan on taking over maintenance or adding new content later on.

Do you build custom sites or use pre-made templates?

Whether a site is custom-built or using a premade template affects any specifics or features you have in mind for your site. Custom-built sites, or sites using a custom template, can typically accommodate extra features, though this won’t be possible if your web designer uses a premade template.

Will the site be optimized for mobile?

Having a mobile responsive site is a must nowadays. However, the number of web designers that don’t include a mobile responsive design as a standard feature, even today, is surprising. Make sure your web designer designs a mobile responsive design that automatically adjusts the website layout based on the screen it’s being viewed on.

Who will be my central contact throughout the project?

Establishing who your contact will be throughout the web design project ensures you’ll always be kept in the loop and won’t be left wondering who to contact if you need a new feature added or have some updated content to add.

What other website services do you offer?

The more services, such as graphic design, marketing, and content creation, your chosen web designer offers, the less work you’ll have to do when getting your site built. Consider choosing a web designer who can at least fulfill most of your service requirements, in addition to actually designing and building your site.

Can I see your portfolio?

A portfolio is a standard feature on most web design company websites. However, it’s always worth asking to see more of their work to ensure it aligns with what you’re looking for. This also gives you a better idea of the type of work your chosen web designer is capable of.

Do you follow current SEO best practices?

SEO is constantly changing, so educate yourself on at least a few of the current best practices and ensure that they’ll be implemented for your new site. These will help your website rank higher on search engines like Google, and ultimately help drive the traffic your site needs.

Do you build e-commerce websites?

E-commerce websites are different from regular service websites in the sense that they need a specialized backend to support your inventory and sales. If you intend on selling products through your site, consider opting for an e-commerce-ready site right off the bat.

How many revisions do you include?

An often-overlooked question, finding out how many design revisions are included is essential. Most web design companies typically offer up to 3 rounds of revisions included in the price and charge you either an hourly or fixed rate for any additional revisions.

What kind of support do you offer after the site is built?

Some web design companies offer backend support, such as backups, edits, and CMS platform updates, for a fixed amount of time once your website goes live. This may be included in the price or may come at an extra cost. Make sure you fully understand what kind of support your web designer offers to avoid unexpected expenses down the line.  

Do you have a fixed design process?

Having a fixed web design process is a tell-tale sign that you’re dealing with a professional web design company. On their end, having a documented design process from beginning to end ensures maximum efficiency and, on your end, means you can rest assured that your project will be taken seriously.

Do I need to provide the images or written content for the website?

Some web design companies may use stock images and include basic written content in their prices. In most cases, however, the client will be expected to provide these. Determining who’s responsible for your website’s images and content enables you to be better prepared for when the site is ready to go live.

Who owns the site and content after it goes live?

If this is your first time having a website designed, you might assume that you own everything once it goes live. However, some web design companies include a clause in their contracts in which they take ownership of the site and any content on it for the duration of the contract. This effectively means you’re locked in to working with them and will have to redesign your site from scratch should you choose to switch companies later on.

Full-Service Calgary Web Design Made Easy

Now that you have a better idea of what to ask your web designer, it’s time to get started on your next project. Reach out to Begin with B today and request a quote to kickstart your next web design project.