Hiring the wrong web designer can cost you months of rework and a site that doesn’t actually convert visitors into customers. Before you sign on with anyone, here are five things worth checking first.
1. A real portfolio, not just mockups
Anyone can design a pretty mockup in Figma. Ask to see live, published websites they’ve built — sites that are actually online and working, not just static images.
2. They ask about your business, not just your colors
A good designer starts with questions: Who’s your customer? What should visitors do on your site? A designer who jumps straight to “what colors do you like” is designing decoration, not a business tool.
3. Mobile-first thinking
Most traffic today comes from phones. If a designer can’t clearly explain how your site will look and function on mobile, that’s a red flag — responsive design should be a given, not an afterthought.
4. Basic SEO knowledge
Your site needs to be found. A designer who understands page speed, clean URLs, and basic on-page SEO gives your business a real head start over one who only cares about visuals.
5. Clear communication and timelines
Good design work still needs structure. Look for someone who gives realistic timelines, communicates delays early, and doesn’t disappear mid-project.
The bottom line
A website is one of the biggest investments a small business makes in its online presence. Taking the time to vet a designer properly — checking real work, communication style, and technical basics — saves you from costly redos later.
Looking for a designer who checks all five boxes? Contact DesignedDev Studio — we’d love to learn about your project.