12 questions to ask a web designer (and the red-flag answers)

The short answer

Before you hire a web designer, ask who will own the site and accounts, exactly what the price includes, how long it will take, how your Google rankings will be protected, and what happens after launch. A good designer answers all of these clearly and in writing. Vague answers, or answers that keep control with the agency, are the red flags.

Below are the 12 questions we’d ask if we were on your side of the table, what a good answer sounds like, and the answers that should worry you.

Why the questions matter more than the portfolio

Most people choose a web designer by looking at their portfolio. That tells you whether they can make something look good, which matters, but it doesn’t tell you what it will be like to work with them, what you’ll own at the end, or what it will cost you over the next five years.

The problems we hear about from business owners who come to us after a bad experience are rarely about design. They’re about a domain registered in someone else’s name, a quote that doubled, a launch that wiped out their Google rankings, or a designer who stopped answering emails. All of these can be spotted early with the right questions.

Ownership and control

1. Who will own the website, the domain and the accounts?

The answer you want: you do. The domain, hosting or platform plan, Google Analytics, Search Console and Google Business Profile should all be set up in your name, with the designer added as a user.

Red flag: “We’ll look after all that for you” with no mention of your name on the accounts. If the relationship ends, you could lose access to your own website or email.

2. Do I own the design and content once it’s paid for?

The answer you want: yes, the final website, designs and content created for you are yours once the project is paid in full. Some studios keep ownership of their own tools and code libraries and give you a licence to use them, which is normal, as long as it’s written down.

Red flag: no written terms at all, or a contract that says the agency keeps the site and you’re effectively renting it.

3. Can I update the site myself?

The answer you want: a clear yes for everyday changes like text, images, blog posts and opening hours, with training included. The platform choice should fit how hands-on you want to be.

Red flag: every small change has to go through the designer, at their hourly rate, because of how the site was built.

Price and scope

4. What exactly does the price include?

The answer you want: a written quote that lists the pages, features, platform, content and number of revision rounds. You should be able to see where your money goes.

Red flag: a single number with no breakdown. A cheap quote is often missing something, such as copywriting, images, SEO setup or redirects, that turns up later as an extra. Our guide to what a website costs in Australia explains what typically drives the price.

5. Who writes the words and supplies the photos?

The answer you want: a straight answer either way. Some designers write and source everything, others expect you to supply it. Both are fine if you know upfront.

Red flag: content isn’t mentioned at all. Waiting on words and images is the most common reason website projects run late.

6. What will it cost to run each year?

The answer you want: a list of the ongoing costs, such as your domain, platform or hosting plan, email, any paid apps or plugins, and care or support plans, paid directly to the provider where possible.

Red flag: “Hosting is included” with a monthly fee to the agency and no detail on what you’re paying for or how to leave.

Timeline and process

7. How long will it take, and what could slow it down?

The answer you want: a realistic timeline with key steps, such as design approval, build, content loading, testing and launch, and an honest note that delays usually come from waiting on content and feedback.

Red flag: a promise of a full custom site in a few days, or no timeline at all.

8. Who will I actually be working with?

The answer you want: the names and roles of the people who will design and build your site, and one main contact.

Red flag: you meet a salesperson, then the work disappears to someone you never speak to. Outsourcing isn’t always bad, but you should know about it.

SEO and performance

9. If you’re replacing my current site, how will you protect my Google rankings?

The answer you want: they’ll map every old page to its new address with 301 redirects, keep the content that ranks, and check Search Console after launch. If you have an existing site with any traffic, this question matters more than almost any other. Our guide to switching platforms without losing your rankings explains why.

Red flag: “Google will figure it out.” It often doesn’t, and rankings can take months to recover.

10. What SEO is included, and what isn’t?

The answer you want: the basics are set up properly at launch, such as page titles, descriptions, headings, image alt text, a sitemap, fast loading on mobile and Search Console. They should also be clear that ranking for competitive searches takes ongoing work after launch.

Red flag: a guarantee of page one on Google, or a promise to “get you into AI search”. Nobody can guarantee rankings, and anyone who does is either guessing or using tactics that can backfire.

After launch

11. What happens if something breaks after launch?

The answer you want: a defined period where bugs in their work are fixed free, then clear options for ongoing support, like a care plan or an hourly rate. For WordPress sites, ask who handles updates, backups and security.

Red flag: no answer, or “just email us” with no idea of cost or response time.

12. Can I leave, and what happens if I do?

The answer you want: you can leave at any time, you keep everything in your name, and they’ll help with the handover. Ongoing services like SEO or ads shouldn’t lock you into long contracts.

Red flag: long lock-in contracts, exit fees, or a site built on a private system only that agency can host.

A quick checklist

Before you sign, make sure you have clear, written answers to these:

• Domain, hosting and accounts set up in your name
• You own the final site, designs and content once it’s paid for
• A written quote listing pages, features, content and revision rounds
• Ongoing running costs explained
• A realistic timeline and a named contact
• Redirects and an SEO plan if you’re replacing a site
• No guaranteed rankings
• A clear support plan after launch
• No lock-in contracts

Make the conversation easier

The best way to get clear answers is to give a clear brief. Our free website brief template takes about 15 minutes and covers your goals, pages, features and budget. You can send it to us or use it with any designer you’re talking to, and it means everyone is quoting on the same thing.

If you’re weighing us up, our pricing page shows our starting prices and how payment works, and we’re happy to answer every question on this list on a free 20 minute call. You can also read more about how we approach web design for small businesses.