Questions to ask a web designer before you commit

A bad answer from a web designer wastes months and thousands of rand. A good one—honest, specific, and backed by examples—is the start of a partnership that actually works. Before you sign anything, you need to ask the right questions and listen hard to what they don't say as much as what they do.

"Can you walk me through your process, step by step?"

Why this matters: Vague processes hide problems. If a designer can't explain how they go from brief to live site, or if they skip steps entirely, you'll be left confused and guessing.

What a good answer sounds like: "We start with a discovery call to understand your goals and audience. Then I create wireframes for you to approve before we touch design. Next comes the visual mockups on desktop and mobile. Once you sign off, I build it in code, test it across browsers, set up your hosting, and walk you through how to maintain it."

What an evasive answer sounds like: "Oh, I just build it. I've done hundreds of sites, so I know what works." Or: "My process is flexible." Flexible often means disorganised.

Ask them to show you their process document or timeline. A solid designer has one. Then ask what happens if you want changes mid-build—do they charge extra, and at what point does scope creep kick in? Their answer tells you whether they respect boundaries or will nickel-and-dime you later.

"Who owns the site when it's done, and what access do I get?"

Why this matters: You could end up locked out of your own website. Some designers host your site on their account and never give you the login details. Others build on a platform you can't edit without them. This is one of the most common complaints, and it's entirely avoidable with the right question.

A good answer: "You'll own the domain name outright. I'll register it in your name or transfer it to you. The site will be built on a platform you can access directly—WordPress, Webflow, whatever we agree on—and I'll give you admin login credentials. You'll also get all the files and passwords you need. If you ever want to move to another designer, you can."

An evasive answer: "I keep it on my hosting for security." Or: "You don't need to worry about that—I'll handle updates for you." Or worse, they change the subject. Red flag.

Specific things to confirm in writing: Do they transfer the domain to your ownership? Will they provide admin credentials and support docs? What's included in hosting costs? If they host it, can you move it later, or will they charge an exit fee? Get these answers before you pay.

"How do you handle updates and support after launch?"

Why this matters: Your site will need tweaks, plugin updates, security patches, and the odd fix. If the designer disappears after go-live or charges you extortionate rates per change, you're stuck. A good designer builds in a support model upfront.

A good answer: "I include two rounds of revisions after launch. After that, I offer maintenance packages—usually a monthly fee that covers updates, backups, security checks, and small changes. I'm available via email or WhatsApp for urgent issues. Here's my support pricing schedule." Then they show you options.

An evasive answer: "That costs extra, depending on what you need." Or they avoid the question and talk about how reliable their sites are instead. Reliability doesn't help if you can't reach them.

Before you commit, ask for their support terms in writing. What's included in the base price? What costs extra? How long do they typically respond to queries? What happens if they're unavailable—do they have a backup? Their willingness to spell this out is a good sign.

You're not just hiring someone to build a website; you're choosing someone to stand behind it. Ask these three questions, listen to how they answer, and check their replies against what they promised before you hand over money. Strove lets you compare verified designers, read reviews that mention their process and support, and message them directly with these questions before you book. That conversation is where the real hiring begins.