What to expect when hiring a website designer

Getting a new website can feel like a yo-yo of emotions. First it's exciting, then it's overwhelming, then it's exciting again.

You know your current site isn't cutting it anymore, but hiring a website designer brings up a lot of questions. What actually happens once you hire one? How involved do you need to be? And how do you know if you're even ready?

If you're a beauty or wellness business owner who's never worked with a website designer (or you have, and it wasn't great), this one's for you.

This post isn't about which designer to hire. It's about what working with one actually looks like, so you know what you're walking into.

Why Design Style Matters (But It's Not Everything)

Let's keep it real. Looks matter.

I'd be lying if I said most of my clients didn't reach out because they liked my design portfolio first. They want a website that looks elevated and on-brand, and they should.

Your website is usually the first impression someone gets of your business. In beauty and wellness especially, people decide whether they trust you based on what they see. If you ask me, that part's non-negotiable.

But a portfolio shows you how a website looks. It doesn't show you why it works.

So yes, make "can this designer pull off the look I want?" your first filter. Just don't stop there. The best projects pair good design with strategy: how the site's organized, what it says, and how it moves someone toward reaching out.

Think of the design as the invitation. Strategy is what gets people to stay, look around, and book.

What Happens on a Website Consultation Call

Once you reach out to a designer, the next step is usually a consultation call (some call it a discovery call). They tend to run anywhere from 15 to 30 minutes.

And if they're run correctly, they're not sales pitches but more of a vibe check.

I hate comparing consult calls to interviews because they shouldn't be stuffy, but they do the same job. By the end, you should both know whether you'd work well together.

During the call, you can expect:

• Questions about your business, your services, and your goals
• A quick conversation about what's working on your current site and what isn't
• A rundown of your website needs, potential timeline, and next steps

Pay attention to how the designer communicates, too. You'll be working closely together, so feeling comfortable with them matters just as much as their skills.

They may also talk through website platforms with you. If you want a head start, I've compared Webflow vs. Showit and Webflow vs. Squarespace.

Not sure what to ask on the call? I put together 5 questions to ask before hiring a web designer. Read this post first and you'll be prepped and ready to go.

Finding the Right Fit

Website projects come with a lot of back-and-forth. Files get sent, feedback gets shared, and a lot of decisions get made together, from kickoff all the way to launch. That's why personality fit matters.

Ask yourself what kind of people you love working with, and what kind you typically avoid. Only you know that answer.

You don't need to be best friends with your designer, but you should feel:

• Comfortable asking questions
• Confident giving honest feedback
• Clear on how and when you'll hear from them

A good working relationship makes the whole project easier and the website better. A bad one can make even a beautiful launch feel like a chore.

What Working With a Website Designer Is Actually Like

Hiring a website designer isn't a "hand it over and disappear" situation. That might sound obvious, but you'd be surprised how often it happens.

It's a collaboration. Your web designer brings the strategy, the structure, and the creative problem-solving, and they guide the process. You bring what only you know: your business, your clients, and timely feedback.

That usually looks like:

• Sharing details about your services and goals
• Reviewing designs and copy as they come together
• Making decisions so the project keeps moving

For reference, most of my clients spend about 1-2 hours a week on their project while it's in an active phase.

You don't need to have everything figured out on Day 1. A good designer will help you sort it out as you go. When both sides know what's expected, the process feels a whole lot less stressful, and your website ends up doing what it's supposed to do: getting your name out there and bringing in clients.

How Website Pricing Typically Works

One of the first things a good website designer will help you figure out is whether you need a website refresh or a full redesign. Once that's decided, the next question is almost always, "Okay, so what does this cost?"

Designers usually price their work one of four ways:

• Flat project rates: Usually listed right on the designer's website
• Tiered packages: Set packages or a price range, also usually listed on their site
• Custom pricing based on scope: Priced by how much work your project will be, which usually means a custom proposal
• Value-based pricing: Priced by the results the work is expected to bring in, not only the time or deliverables

However a designer prices, talk about the investment early. It saves time on both sides. You don't want to be the bride-to-be who falls in love with a wedding dress that's way out of her budget.

At the very minimum, you should know:

• What's included
• What's not included
• What support looks like after launch

I'm big on price transparency, so I keep my pricing listed. My web design projects start at $2,000. Want a real number for your project? Use my project builders to get a beauty website project estimate or a wellness website project estimate in 2 minutes or less. And if you're wondering why quotes vary so much from one designer to the next, I wrote a post breaking down the real difference between expensive and cheap website designers.

Lab Tip 💡 - Whether a designer's prices are on their website or shared on your consult call, don't try to negotiate. It's distasteful, and probably not how you want to start that relationship.

How to Know If You're Ready to Hire a Website Designer

Who you pick to build your website affects both your results and how much you enjoy the process. So choose wisely!

You're likely ready to hire a web designer if:

• Your website no longer feels like the best reflection of your business
• You've outgrown DIY or pieced-together solutions
• You want your site to bring in clients, not just take up space online

If you can't tell what needs to change, start there before you commit to a build. That's exactly what Polished Pages Audits are for.

Final Thoughts

Hiring a website designer should feel like a partnership, not a leap of faith. Once you know what the process looks like and what's expected of you, the decision gets a lot easier.

Ready for the next step? Read up on what to ask before hiring a website designer, then learn more about Workhorse Websites.