What Questions Should I Ask a Web Designer Before Hiring?
Don't hire a web designer before asking these key questions. This checklist helps Canadian small business owners vet designers, avoid bad hires, and find the right fit.
Hiring a web designer is a significant investment. Whether you're spending $1,000 or $5,000, you want to be confident you're working with someone who will deliver — and not leave you with an unfinished site, a surprise invoice, or a support line that goes straight to voicemail.
These questions separate the professionals from the pretenders.
About Their Experience
"Can I see examples of websites you've built for businesses like mine?" A portfolio is good. A portfolio with relevant examples is better. If you run a trades business and they've only built portfolios for photographers, that's worth noting. Industry experience means they understand your customers, your goals, and the kind of content that converts.
"How long have you been doing web design professionally?" Years of experience don't guarantee quality, but they do suggest consistency. Someone who's been doing this for 5+ years has survived enough difficult projects to know how to handle yours.
"Do you have client references I can contact?" Any designer worth hiring should be able to provide one or two past clients willing to speak to their experience. If they hesitate or can't provide any, that's a red flag.
About the Project Process
"What does your process look like from start to launch?" A clear process means a professional operation. They should be able to walk you through each stage — discovery, design, build, revisions, launch. Vagueness here is a warning sign.
"What do you need from me, and when?" Good designers tell you what they need upfront so the project doesn't stall waiting on you. If they can't articulate their requirements clearly, expect delays.
"How do you handle revisions?" Most designers include a set number of revision rounds. Understand what those are before you sign. "Unlimited revisions" sounds great until you realize it means "unlimited within the original scope," which can mean very different things to you and to them.
"What's the realistic timeline from start to launch?" Red flag: "I can have it done in 48 hours." Reality check: a professional build takes 2–4 weeks for a standard small business site. Anything much faster probably means they're cutting corners or using a generic template with almost no customization.
About Ownership, Hosting, and Technology
"Who owns the website after it's built?" You should own your own website. Full stop. Some designers build on platforms or proprietary systems where you're effectively renting your site from them. Get clarity on this.
"What platform will you build on, and why?" Common platforms include WordPress, Webflow, Shopify (for e-commerce), and Squarespace. Each has tradeoffs. A good designer will recommend the right platform for your needs — not just the one they're most comfortable with.
"Is hosting included, or is that separate?" Some agencies bundle hosting. Others build your site and hand it over for you to host. Neither is wrong, but you need to know what you're paying for.
About Money
"What's included in the quoted price?" Get a clear list in writing. Design, development, copy, SEO, images, hosting, domain, email setup — what's in, what's out?
"What are the most common things that end up costing extra?" An honest designer will tell you. Watch out for the ones who say "nothing" — there's always something.
"What are your payment terms?" Paying in full upfront is a risk. Standard practice is a deposit (50%) to start, with the remainder due on delivery. Some agencies offer phased payments across milestones.
About After Launch
"What support do you offer after the site goes live?" What happens when something breaks six months later? Do they offer maintenance plans? Is there a support email? This matters more than most people realize.
"Will I be able to make basic updates myself?" A well-built site should allow you to update text, add photos, or post a blog without a degree in web development. If the answer is "you need to come to us for everything," you've permanently tied your hands — and your wallet.
The Right Answers to Listen For
You're not just evaluating answers — you're evaluating how they answer. Do they listen to your questions? Do they give you straight answers, or do they dodge and hedge? Do they seem genuinely interested in your business, or are you just another invoice?
The best designers ask you as many questions as you ask them. They want to understand your customers, your goals, and what success looks like for your business. That curiosity is a signal of someone who builds sites that actually work.
Working With ClickAdMedia
We answer every one of these questions upfront — no hedging, no surprises. If you want to know exactly what you're getting, how the process works, and what it costs, we'll tell you plainly.
