Knowing the right questions to ask a web designer can make or break your project. A great website isn’t just about looks—it needs to perform well, reflect your brand, and support long-term growth. This guide is here to help you get clear answers upfront so you avoid surprises later. These questions should help you when trying to determine which web design company you’ll potentially partner with.
Questions About the Design Process
What design style do you specialize in?
Every designer has a style. Some lean clean and minimal, others go bold and artistic. Make sure their visual vibe fits your brand—because forcing a designer into a style that isn’t theirs rarely ends well.
Can I see examples of past work?
Looking at their portfolio tells you a lot. Ask to see sites they’ve built in your industry or for businesses with similar goals. This helps you gauge whether they can deliver something tailored, not just trendy.
Will you create custom designs or use a template?
There’s no right or wrong here—just different needs. A custom design offers flexibility and uniqueness, while a template is often faster and more budget-friendly. Ask what they recommend and why.
Questions About Domain and Hosting
Do I need to buy the domain myself?
One of the most overlooked questions to ask a web designer is who handles the domain. Some designers will register it for you, others expect you to do it. Either way, make sure the domain is registered in your name—not theirs. You don’t want issues down the line if you ever need to switch providers.
Is hosting included in your services? If not, what do you recommend?
Website hosting is what keeps your site live. Some designers include it, others don’t. Ask what they use or recommend, and get clear on the monthly or yearly costs. You want a host that’s fast, secure, and reliable—especially if you’re running a business site.
Will I have full access to my domain and hosting accounts?
You should always have full control over your domain and hosting—even if your designer sets it up. That means your name on the account, your login credentials, and your ability to make changes if needed. It’s your website, and you should own every part of it.
Questions About Website Ownership & Access
Who will own the website when it’s done?
Ask this early. Some designers retain rights to the design or code unless otherwise agreed upon. Make sure the contract clearly states that once the project is paid for, everything—design, content, and code—is yours to keep.
Will I be able to make edits myself?
Unless you want to call your designer every time you need to update a photo, your site should be built on a user-friendly CMS like WordPress or Webflow. Ask what platform they use and if they’ll show you how to make simple updates on your own.
Questions About SEO and Visibility
Will my site be SEO-friendly out of the box?
One of the most important questions to ask a web designer is whether they build with SEO in mind. That means clean code, proper heading structure, alt text for images, and metadata for every page. A beautiful site won’t matter if no one can find it on Google.
Will my site be indexed by Google right away?
Your site won’t magically appear on search engines—it needs to be submitted. Ask if they’ll handle indexing, submit your sitemap to Google Search Console, and set up basic tools like Google Analytics. These are essentials, not extras.
Do you offer ongoing SEO services?
Launching a website is just step one. Ongoing SEO helps you climb the rankings over time. If your designer doesn’t offer that, ask if they can recommend someone who does—or be ready to hire an SEO expert once the site goes live.
Questions About Performance and Mobile Responsiveness
Will my site be optimized for speed?
Speed impacts everything from bounce rate to SEO. Ask your designer if they compress images, use caching tools, and work with fast, reliable hosting. A slow site will cost you traffic—especially on mobile.
Will it be fully responsive on all devices?
Your site needs to look and work great on desktops, tablets, and smartphones. Confirm that every page will be tested and adjusted for different screen sizes. These days, mobile isn’t optional—it’s where most people will see your site first.
Questions About Content and Images
Do you provide copywriting or do I need to write everything?
Not every business has content ready to go. Some web designers offer copywriting, while others expect you to supply all the text. Be upfront so you know what’s covered—and what you’ll need to prepare.
Can I use my own photos or do you provide stock images?
If you’ve got great visuals, use them. But if not, ask if the designer offers stock photography or can help source quality images. This avoids last-minute scrambling and keeps your site looking polished.
Questions About Features and Functionality
Can you build in specific tools or integrations?
Whether it’s a contact form, online booking system, newsletter signup, CRM, or full eCommerce setup—ask what your designer can integrate. Make a list of must-haves and run through them early.
Will my website be ADA compliant?
Accessibility isn’t just nice to have—it’s often a legal requirement. Ask if your site will meet basic ADA standards like text readability, keyboard navigation, and image alt tags to make sure all users can access your content.
Questions About Timeline and Communication
How long will the project take from start to finish?
Timelines vary based on complexity. Ask for a realistic estimate, including key milestones (like design drafts, revisions, and launch). This helps manage expectations on both sides.
How often will we communicate during the project?
Regular check-ins prevent delays and miscommunication. Make sure you know how often you’ll touch base and which tools will be used (email, Zoom, project boards, etc.).
What do you need from me to get started?
Avoid project delays by knowing what’s required upfront—like branding assets, logins, content, or inspiration links. The more you can prep ahead of time, the smoother everything goes.
Questions About Post-Launch Support
What happens after the website goes live?
The launch isn’t the finish line—it’s just the start. Ask your designer what’s included after go-live. Will they handle ongoing maintenance? What about backups, security updates, or bug fixes? You don’t want to be left scrambling when something breaks.
Do you offer training on how to use the site?
Even a well-built site can feel overwhelming if you’ve never managed one before. Ask if they’ll show you how to update content, swap out images, or make basic edits. A little training goes a long way in keeping your site fresh without always relying on a developer.
Conclusion: Important Questions to Ask a Web Designer
A great web project starts with clear communication. The more questions you ask upfront, the fewer surprises you’ll face later. And a good designer won’t just answer them—they’ll appreciate that you care about getting it right.
If you’re ready to build a website that actually works for your business, reach out to our web design agency in New Jersey. We’ll walk you through the process, answer every question, and make sure you feel confident from day one.
