Finding the perfect web design partner is crucial for your business success. Learn what to look for and what red flags to avoid.
Choosing a web designer is a significant investment. The wrong choice can cost you time, money, and lost opportunities. Use this guide to find a designer who will deliver results and become a trusted partner for your business.
A reputable designer should proudly show their work and connect you with past clients. Review their portfolio for design quality, variety, and whether they've worked with businesses similar to yours.
🚩 Red Flag:
No portfolio, reluctance to share references, or only showing template-based websites.
Understanding the process helps set expectations. A professional designer will have a clear workflow from discovery to launch, with defined milestones and deadlines.
✓ Good Answer:
"We start with discovery, then create wireframes for approval, move to design mockups, develop the site, test thoroughly, and launch. A typical 5-page site takes 3-4 weeks."
This should always be YES. Over 60% of web traffic is mobile. A site that doesn't work on smartphones will lose customers and hurt your Google rankings.
🚩 Red Flag:
"Mobile design costs extra" or "We'll add mobile later." Mobile should be built-in from the start.
A beautiful website is useless if customers can't find it. Basic SEO (meta tags, site structure, page speed, mobile optimization) should be standard in every website build.
✓ What to Expect:
On-page SEO, proper heading structure, image optimization, and fast loading speeds.
Websites need ongoing updates, security patches, and occasional fixes. Clarify whether support is included, how long, and what happens when you need changes.
✓ Good Answer:
"We provide 30 days of free support after launch, then offer monthly maintenance packages or hourly rates for updates."
You should own your website files, domain, and hosting. Avoid designers who lock you into proprietary systems or charge monthly fees just to keep your site online.
🚩 Major Red Flag:
"You'll need to pay us monthly or we'll take your site down" or "The website is hosted on our proprietary platform."
Get everything in writing. Hidden fees are a common complaint. Make sure you understand what's included and what costs extra.
✓ Should Include:
"$99 websites" often use templates with no customization, poor quality, or have hidden monthly fees.
Always get scope, deliverables, and timeline in writing. Verbal agreements lead to disputes.
If they're unresponsive during the sales process, it'll be worse after they have your money.
You should own your domain, hosting, and website files. Beware of "rental" models.
No one can guarantee top Google rankings. It's a red flag for dishonesty or inexperience.
If their portfolio looks like it's from 2010, your website will too. Check for modern designs.
They provide detailed quotes with no hidden fees and explain what everything costs.
Their past work speaks for itself, and clients rave about their experience.
They want to understand your business, audience, and objectives—not just make something pretty.
They respond promptly, keep you updated, and treat you like a valued partner.
They don't just hand over the keys—they teach you how to manage your site.
They talk about conversions, user experience, and ROI—not just colors and fonts.
At Integrity Webworks, we believe in honest communication, transparent pricing, and websites that deliver real results. Schedule a free consultation to discuss your project—no pressure, no obligations.