You’ve probably seen the typical “questions to ask a web designer” list:
What’s your experience? What platform do you use? Yawn.
Here’s the problem. Most of those lists were written for someone building their very first website. But if you’re reading this, chances are you’ve been down this road, and you’ve got the scars to prove it.
That $199 website? It turned out to cost you way more than that. The true cost revealed itself long after the deal was done. It’s taken your time, your energy, and worst of all, it hasn’t grown your business.
At this point, you don’t need beginner questions. You need the ones that reveal whether the designer you’re hiring can build something strategic, scalable, and support-ready for you.
You need more than a single-page website. But you don’t need a 1000-page mega-site. You need something clean, clear, and custom to represent your business. You’re in the right place.
Whether it’s your first website or your fifth, the process should always start with the right questions. Not just about design styles or platforms. You need to know how they will meet your goals, messaging, support, and strategy. These are the important questions to ask when building a website that actually works for your business.
Because designing a website isn’t just a creative exercise, it’s a business decision. The right questions help you avoid costly mistakes, spot red flags early, and choose a partner who understands what your site actually needs to do once it goes live.
These questions separate the pretty from the profitable.
A lot of web designers will ask what colors are visually appealing or which sites inspire you, and then dive straight into mockups. But good design isn’t just about making something that looks nice. You need a tool that helps you reach your business goals.
Whether you’re trying to attract new customers, bring in more leads, or support existing clients, your website should do more than sit there looking pretty.
These questions help you dig into whether your designer understands your strategy, not just your style.
Because being ghosted by your last developer should be a one‑time experience.
Your website project isn’t just about what gets built; it’s about how it gets built and who you’re building it with. One of the biggest frustrations we hear from new clients is that they felt completely in the dark during their last project.
Long stretches of silence, confusing feedback loops, or worse, being left with a half-finished site and no one to call.
These questions help you understand the designer’s process, communication style, and team structure, so you know what kind of working relationship you’re signing up for before the first mock ever lands in your inbox.
Because “go live” should be the beginning, not the end.
Many clients believe the website is complete once it launches. In reality, that’s when the real work begins. Your site needs to stay updated, secure, fast, and relevant. It should grow with your business, not become a static placeholder that collects dust.
Want peace of mind after launch? Learn about our website maintenance plans that keep your site secure, fast, and up-to-date, without you lifting a finger.
These questions help you understand what happens after the site goes live. Will your designer stick around to support you? Will you have the tools and training to manage small updates? Is your investment protected long-term? If you’re not thinking about what happens next, you might be paying for a short-term fix instead of a sustainable solution.
These questions separate the transparent pros from the “just trust me” types.
If a designer is great at sales but vague on details, that’s a red flag. These questions dig beneath the surface and help you assess whether your designer has the experience, humility, and insight to truly partner with your business.
They aren’t common, but they’re powerful. They uncover how your designer thinks, solves problems, and whether they actually care about your success.
Perfect for startups, solo operators, or small teams. Affordable, built correctly, and easy to manage.
No bloated templates. No confusing jargon. No “figure it out yourself” hand-offs.
Even small sites deserve:
This might be your first website, but it doesn’t have to feel like a first-time mistake.
Many businesses start small and eventually outgrow their first website. Your starter site worked at the time, but features stop keeping up, designs get dated, and growth demands more.
We help medium-sized businesses move past limits with a site that:
Hiring a web designer is a big decision that can affect your business for years. Whether you’ve been burned in the past or you’re building your very first site, asking better questions upfront can save you time, money, and a whole lot of stress.
A strategic website should do more than sit there. It should speak to your customers, support your marketing efforts, and grow with your business. It should be backed by a team that answers the phone, brings ideas to the table, and sticks around when you need support, not one that vanishes after launch.
If you take away one thing from this blog, let it be this:
Don’t settle for a brochure site. Don’t settle for vague promises. And definitely don’t settle for someone who can’t explain their process clearly.
Need help figuring out what to ask, and what answers to watch for? Download our free guide, “8 Tips for Hiring a Website Designer,” and feel confident before your next website conversation.
No matter where you are in your website journey, starting fresh or outgrowing your first site, you don’t have to navigate it alone. Neon Goldfish builds custom websites that are clean, scalable, and built to help your business grow. Our team combines design, strategy, and ongoing support so you can focus on what you do best.
Ready to take the next step?
Reach out to Neon Goldfish today and let’s create a website that works as hard as you do.
Q: Why shouldn’t I just ask the usual questions about platforms and experience?
A: Standard questions like “What platform do you use?” or “How many years have you been designing websites?” don’t tell you whether a designer can actually support your business goals. The right partner should be able to explain how they’ll build a site that attracts your ideal clients, supports your marketing, and grows with your business. Experience matters, but without a strategy behind it, you risk ending up with a site that looks nice but doesn’t generate leads or revenue.
Q: What’s the real hidden cost of hiring the wrong web designer?
A: A cheap website might save money upfront, but the long-term costs can be enormous. Many businesses discover too late that their $199 site lacks security, doesn’t rank in search engines, or can’t be updated without breaking. That “affordable” site often leads to lost time, frustrated customers, and missed opportunities. Fixing or rebuilding a poorly designed website is always more expensive than doing it right the first time. Choosing the right designer is less about bargain hunting and more about protecting your long-term investment.
Q: How do I know if a designer understands my business goals?
A: Pay attention to the questions they ask you. A professional designer will dig into who your customers are, what your competitors are doing, and how your website fits into your sales or marketing funnel. If they only ask about your preferred colors or favorite fonts, that’s a red flag. A website designer who prioritizes conversions, user experience, and scalability understands how to align design with your business goals.
Q: What’s the number one place most website projects get stuck?
A: Content creation. Many businesses underestimate how much writing, messaging, and strategy a new website needs. Without help, clients end up stuck staring at blank pages, which can delay a project for months. The best web design partners offer copywriting services, content strategy, or at least structured guidance to make the process easier. When interviewing designers, ask how they’ll help you create or refine the words and images that will bring your website to life.
Q: What happens after the site goes live?
A: A website launch is just the beginning. Once your site is live, it needs regular updates, security patches, content refreshes, and performance monitoring to stay effective. Many businesses make the mistake of treating launch day as the finish line, only to find their site slows down, becomes vulnerable, or stops ranking in search. Smart business owners ask about website maintenance plans, ongoing support, and training before signing a contract. A designer who cares about your long-term success will offer options to keep your site healthy and effective.
Q: Who should own my site when it’s done?
A: You should always own your website, domain, and all associated content. That means you should have full login access to your domain registrar, hosting account, and content management system. Unfortunately, some providers keep clients locked into proprietary platforms or hold access hostage. You could lose your entire site if you decide to switch partners. Avoid this risk by clarifying ownership before the project begins. A reputable web designer will make sure you have full control once the project is complete.
Q: How can I avoid being ghosted by a web designer again?
A: Communication breakdown is one of the top complaints from businesses that’ve worked with the wrong provider. To avoid this, ask how the designer handles communication during the project upfront. Will you have a dedicated point of contact? Can you schedule regular check-ins? Are they available by phone, or only through email tickets? A transparent process and clear communication plan are the best protection against long silences or unfinished work.
Q: What’s the difference between a “pretty” site and a “profitable” one?
A: A pretty website might earn compliments, but it won’t necessarily grow your business. A profitable website is built with user experience, SEO, and conversion strategy in mind. That means clear calls-to-action, fast load times, mobile responsiveness, and messaging that speaks directly to your ideal customer. When interviewing a web designer, ask how they plan to turn your site into a business tool, not just an online brochure.
Q: Why should I ask about competitors’ websites?
A: Your website doesn’t exist in isolation. Understanding what your competitors are doing online can help you stand out. A smart web designer will review competitor sites to identify gaps, missed opportunities, and strengths you can build on. This doesn’t mean copying their design. It’s about learning what resonates with your shared audience and positioning your business more effectively. If your designer doesn’t research competitors, they may miss opportunities to help you outperform in your market.
Q: How do I know if a designer is the real deal?
A: One of the best ways to evaluate a designer is to ask about a project that didn’t go as planned. A seasoned professional won’t pretend everything always goes perfectly. Instead, they’ll explain how they handled challenges, what they learned, and how they improved their process for future clients. Transparency, humility, and problem-solving are signs of a trustworthy partner. If a designer can’t answer this question honestly, that should raise concerns.
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By Ken Franzen
President / Co-Founder of Neon Goldfish
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