Questions to ask a web designer before you hire one

A new website costs money and takes weeks of your time. The designer you pick affects how it looks, how it runs, and how much control you keep when the project ends.

Most problems come from questions nobody asked at the start. These ten cover the points that matter most. Ask them on the first call, and ask for the answers in writing.

If you do not have a shortlist yet, start with our list of web design companies in the Okanagan Shuswap. It covers studios in Kelowna, West Kelowna, and nearby cities.

1. Who owns the domain name?

Your domain is your web address. It should be registered in your name, with your email as the contact. Some designers register it under their own account and never mention it. If the relationship ends, getting it back can be slow or costly.

Ask who the registrant will be. Ask for the login or for a transfer code if you want to move it later.

2. Who owns the website itself?

Ask whether you own the design, the text, the images, and the code once you pay in full. Some agencies keep the rights to the design. Others license it to you only while you pay a monthly fee.

Neither setup is wrong. You need to know which one you are buying.

3. What does the quoted price include?

A quote should list the number of pages, the number of design revisions, and any extras. Extras often include copywriting, photos, a contact form, online booking, a store, and search engine setup.

Ask what costs extra. Ask what happens if you want a change after the second round of revisions. Ask whether the price is a flat fee or an hourly estimate.

4. What platform will the site use?

Common choices include WordPress, Shopify, Squarespace, and Wix. Some studios build custom code instead. Each has trade-offs in cost, flexibility, and upkeep.

Ask why they picked that platform for your business. A good answer refers to your needs, such as selling products or taking bookings. A weak answer is “it is what we always use.”

5. Can I edit the site myself?

Many owners want to change hours, prices, or a photo without calling anyone. Ask whether you will get a login. Ask whether the designer will show you how to use it, and whether training is included.

If you plan to leave all edits to the designer, ask for the hourly rate or the monthly maintenance fee.

6. Who handles hosting, and what does it cost?

Hosting is the server that keeps your site online. It is usually a yearly or monthly charge. Some designers bundle it. Others expect you to buy it yourself.

Ask what the price is, when it renews, and whether the account is in your name. Ask where backups are stored and how often they run.

7. Can I see recent work for businesses like mine?

A portfolio shows style. It does not show results. Ask for two or three live sites you can open and click through. Check how they load on your phone. Check whether the pages are easy to read.

Ask if you can contact a past client. A designer with happy clients will usually say yes.

8. Who writes the text and supplies the photos?

This question delays more projects than any other. Many designers build the layout and then wait weeks for the owner to send content.

Ask who writes the page text. Ask whether stock photos are included or whether you need your own. Photos of your actual shop, team, and work build more trust than stock images. A local photographer can shoot them before the build starts. Our guides to top photographers in the Okanagan Shuswap and Vernon photographers can help you find one.

9. How long will it take, and what do you need from me?

Get a start date, a launch date, and a list of what the designer needs from you at each step. Ask what happens if you are late with feedback. Ask what happens if the designer is late.

A clear schedule protects both sides.

10. What happens after launch?

A website needs updates, security fixes, and backups. Ask whether support is included for the first 30 days or longer. Ask what a care plan costs and what it covers.

Ask about local search too. If customers find you by searching “plumber near me” or “restaurant in Vernon,” your Google Business Profile matters as much as your site. Ask whether the designer helps set it up, and whether that is part of the price.

Warning signs

Be careful if the designer will not put the price in writing. Be careful if they refuse to say who owns the domain. Be careful if they promise a first-page Google ranking. No one controls Google’s results, and an honest designer will say so.

Be careful if the contract locks you in with no way out. Ask what it costs to cancel and how you would get your files back.

Compare at least two quotes

Ask two or three studios the same ten questions. Put the answers side by side. The cheapest quote is not always the lowest cost over three years once hosting, edits, and support are added.

Local designers are easy to meet in person, and many work in the same time zone as your business. Some do excellent work remotely too. Pick the one who answers plainly and puts the terms in writing.