Hiring a web designer is uncomfortable because you are buying something you cannot evaluate. You do not know what good code looks like, and by the time problems surface, the money is spent.
You do not need technical knowledge to hire well. You need the right questions.
1. Who owns the website when it is finished?
The answer should be you: the domain, the hosting account, the files. If a designer keeps your domain registered under their own account, leaving becomes painful. Ask directly, and ask to be listed as the owner.
2. What happens if I want to change something later?
Can you edit text yourself, or does every change go through them? Neither answer is wrong, but you should know before you sign. Ask what a small change costs and how fast it happens.
3. Is hosting and maintenance included, and for how long?
This is the most common source of unexpected bills. Get the number and the duration in writing.
4. Can I see something you built that is still live?
Not a screenshot, a URL. Then open it on your phone. Check how fast it loads and whether anything is broken. A portfolio image proves nothing; a working site proves a lot.
5. How is this built so Google can find it?
You are not looking for jargon. You want to hear about page titles, descriptions, sensible structure, fast loading, and being listed on Google. If the answer is vague or hand-wavy, that is informative.
6. What do you need from me, and when?
Most delayed projects are delayed by content, not code. A designer who tells you clearly what they need from you and by when has run real projects before.
7. How long will it take, honestly?
A small site is typically a few weeks, not a few days and not six months. Be wary of both extremes.
8. What is the payment schedule?
A deposit up front with the balance at launch is standard and fair. Full payment before any work is a risk. No deposit at all often means you are not a priority.
9. Who will I actually be dealing with?
With larger agencies, the person selling to you is often not the person building. That is not automatically bad, but you should know who answers when something breaks.
10. What happens after launch?
A website that goes live and is never touched again slowly stops working. Ask what support looks like in month three, not just week one.
Warning signs
Be cautious of anyone who will not put pricing in writing, guarantees a number one Google ranking (nobody can), cannot show a live site, or pressures you to decide quickly. Good designers have work booked and do not need to rush you.
If it is useful, our pricing is published openly and our FAQ answers most of these questions before you have to ask.