5 questions to ask before hiring a web designer (that most people don't)

Choosing the right website designer isn't about who has the most Pinterest-worthy portfolio or the lowest price tag. It's about finding someone who fits how you work, understands your industry, and can bring your vision to life without sending your stress levels through the roof.

Sure, you could stick to the basics like "How long will it take?" and "How much do you charge?" But there are other (arguably more important) questions that tell you whether a web designer is the right fit before you sign on the dotted line.

If you're a beauty or wellness business owner investing in a new site, here are 5 questions to ask on your consultation call. (New to all of this? Start with what to expect when hiring a website designer.)

Question #1: How much involvement do you expect from me during the design process?

Some designers love collaborating. Others would rather take the reins and run. Think about how involved you want to be and how much time you realistically have. Do you want to give feedback at every stage, or would you rather be more hands-off?

Whether you're doing a website refresh or a full redesign, talking about this upfront saves you both from future frustration. If you're launching a new service, growing your team, or raising little ones, you may not have time to be super hands-on, and that's okay. Just make sure the designer you choose can work that way.

Lab Tip 💡 - Check your project dates against your calendar. If it's your booked and busy season, pick a designer who can work independently with minimal check-ins.

Question #2: What's your timeline for feedback, approvals, and revisions?

Web design timelines can be tight. Late feedback can snowball into missed deadlines, and eventually your launch date getting pushed back. Some designers want feedback within 48 hours. Others are more flexible.

Revisions work the same way. There's no such thing as a one-and-done website build, but every designer handles changes differently. Some offer unlimited changes within a set window of time. Others cap the rounds of revisions at each stage. Ask what you'll be reviewing and when. Will you see a wireframe first, then the full design? Does the copy get finalized before design starts?

If it takes you a while to make decisions, or your schedule stays jam-packed, this question will save you both from missed deadlines, awkward nudges, and surprise invoices.

Lab Tip 💡 - Be honest about how much time you'll need for approvals, and know how many revision rounds are included before you start. It helps your designer build extra room into your timeline (and keeps surprise invoices out of your inbox).

Question #3: Who will be working on my project, and how many projects do you take on at once?

If you're talking to an agency, your consultation might be with a sales rep or project manager, not the person designing your website. If you're working with a solo designer, you'll want a feel for their current workload.

Either way, you should know who's doing the work. A designer or team juggling too many clients can leave your project stuck in limbo. A designer with the right systems in place will keep you moving.

Lab Tip 💡 - Ask how they handle client communication, and whether you'll have one point of contact the whole way through.

Question #4: Will I be able to make my own updates after my website launches?

Nobody wants to email their designer just to change their business hours or swap in a new headshot. Ask whether your site will be built on a platform you can manage yourself, like Webflow or Showit, and whether you'll get training on how to make updates. If you're the DIY type, make sure the site's being built with that in mind.

Lab Tip 💡 - Bonus points if your designer offers custom video tutorials or a training session that walks you through the basics of updating your site.

Question #5: How do you handle SEO?

A well-designed website doesn't do much if nobody can find it. But "SEO-friendly" gets thrown around a lot, and it can mean anything from a carefully optimized build to a setting someone switched on and never looked at again.

Ask what SEO work is actually included in your build. Will each page get its own title and description for Google? Are your images compressed and labeled so search engines know what they are? Will your site be connected to Google Search Console so you can see how people are finding you?

Then ask what happens after launch. SEO isn't a one-time task. Some designers hand over the keys and wave goodbye, while others offer ongoing SEO support to keep your site visible as your business grows. Neither is wrong, as long as you know which one you're signing up for.

Lab Tip 💡 - If a designer says your site will be "SEO-ready," ask them to walk you through what that means. Someone who really knows their stuff can explain it in plain English.

A Strategic Website Starts With the Right Questions

Choosing the right web designer starts before you sign a contract. It starts with the questions you ask in that first conversation. Knowing how a designer communicates, what they expect from you, and what support looks like after launch will save you a lot of stress (and money) down the line.

So before you fall in love with a portfolio, find out how the designer actually works. And don't be afraid to treat your consultation call like an interview (because it kind of is!).

Looking for a website designer who gets your vibe, knows the beauty and wellness industries, and builds websites that bring in clients? Learn more about Workhorse Websites.