How to choose a web designer: 9 questions to ask

Nine questions to ask any web designer

These questions work for a freelancer, a small studio, or a large agency. The answers tell you far more than a polished sales pitch.

• Can I see live websites you have built? Real, working sites for real businesses are the best proof. Visit them on your phone and see how they load.
• Who will actually build my site? Some agencies sell you on senior people and hand the work to junior staff. Ask who you will talk to and who does the work.
• Do you start from a template? Templates are not always bad, but you should know whether you are paying for a custom design or a recycled one.
• What exactly is included, in writing? Pages, features, revisions, and launch should all be spelled out so there are no surprises.
• How many rounds of revisions do I get? Clear limits protect both sides, and a good designer explains how extra changes are handled.
• Who owns the website and the domain? You should own both. Be wary of any arrangement that locks you in.
• What happens after launch? Ask about updates, security, and support, and whether they are optional.
• How do you handle speed and search optimization? A site that loads slowly or cannot be found does not do its job.
• What is the timeline, and what do you need from me? Projects stall when the content or feedback does not arrive, so a clear plan helps.

Red flags to watch for

• A price that is vague about what is included.
• Pressure to pay in full before the scope is agreed.
• No live examples, or examples they cannot explain their role in.
• A hosting or maintenance contract you cannot leave.
• Promises of guaranteed number-one rankings. Nobody can guarantee that.
• Slow or unclear communication before you have even hired them.

Local, remote, or both

A designer does not have to be in your city to do great work. Most projects run entirely online through calls, messages, and shared drafts. What matters is communication, clear scope, and a track record you can verify. Growth Nest Media is based in Newfoundland and works fully remotely with clients across Canada and the United States.

What working with Growth Nest Media looks like

You start with a short discovery call about what the site needs to do and who it is for. Kyle Spurrell, the founder and lead designer, designs and builds the site personally and checks in with progress updates along the way. You review the work, request revisions until it is right, and the site launches on your domain. Ongoing care is available afterward if you want it. See the full process on the How It Works page.