You may only build one website every five to ten years.

The person you hire over the next few weeks could save you thousands of dollars…

…or cost you thousands.

Unfortunately, most business owners don’t know enough about web design to know what questions they should be asking.

Instead, they usually ask the first question that comes to mind:

“How much does a website cost?”

While price certainly matters, it’s almost never the question that determines whether a project succeeds or becomes a frustrating, expensive mistake.

After designing websites since 1993, I’ve learned that the best projects rarely begin by talking about price.

They begin by asking the right questions.

The Wrong Question

Imagine hiring a builder to construct your dream home.

Would the very first question be:

“How much?”

Of course not.

You would discuss the land.

The number of bedrooms.

The style.

The layout.

The timeline.

The purpose.

Only after understanding the project could anyone honestly estimate the cost.

A professional website works exactly the same way.

No two businesses have identical needs.

A one-page brochure website is completely different from an online store with hundreds of products, customer accounts, payment processing, inventory management, and shipping integration.

The questions come first.

The price comes second.

The Questions Every Business Owner Should Ask Before Hiring a Web Designer

These aren’t simply the questions I ask new clients.

These are also the questions you should expect your web designer to ask you.

If they don’t…

That should concern you.

1. Do You Already Have a Website?

If so:

• Can it be improved?
• Does it contain valuable content?
• Can anything be migrated?
• Will existing search rankings be preserved?

Starting over isn’t always the best solution.

Sometimes improving what’s already working is the smarter investment.

2. Do You Own Your Domain Name?

Many business owners discover—far too late—that someone else controls their domain.

Make sure:

• You own it.
• You know where it’s registered.
• You have the login credentials.

If you don’t control your domain, you don’t completely control your business online.

Experience from the Field

Over the years, I’ve been surprised how many business owners didn’t actually own—or couldn’t access—their own domain name.

Sometimes a former employee registered it years ago using a personal email address. Sometimes a previous web designer purchased it on the client’s behalf. In one case, the person who originally registered the domain had passed away, leaving the business scrambling to regain control.

I always tell clients the same thing: your domain name is one of your business’s most valuable assets. Make sure you know where it’s registered, who owns it, and that you have the login credentials before starting any website project.

3. Do You Have Access to Everything?

Before any work begins, determine whether you have access to:

• Website hosting
• Domain registration
• Email accounts
• Current website
• FTP or server access (when applicable)
• Existing databases
• PDFs and downloadable resources

Recovering lost accounts can delay a project for weeks.

4. Do You Already Have a Logo?

Better yet…

Do you have the original vector files?

A blurry logo pulled from Facebook isn’t suitable for professional branding.

Original artwork saves time, money, and produces a far better-looking website.

Experience from the Field

I always tell clients the same thing: your domain name is one of your business’s most valuable assets. Make sure you know wMany clients tell me they already have a logo, but what they actually have is a small JPEG pulled from an old website or social media profile.

Over the years I’ve seen logos that have been saved, resized, compressed, and copied so many times that every pixel is visible. Trying to place a blurry logo on a modern, professionally designed website is like hanging a faded photocopy in an art gallery.

Whenever possible, I ask for the original vector artwork. If it no longer exists, I can often recreate it. Sometimes, however, the logo itself has become dated, and refreshing the brand becomes one of the smartest investments a business can make.here it’s registered, who owns it, and that you have the login credentials before starting any website project.

5. What Is the Purpose of the Website?

This may be the single most important question.

Is the goal to:

• Generate leads?
• Sell products?
• Schedule appointments?
• Educate visitors?
• Build credibility?
• Support existing customers?
• Create an online community?

Every design decision should support that primary objective.

6. Who Is Your Ideal Customer?

Many businesses accidentally design websites for themselves.

Successful websites are designed for the customer.

Knowing your audience changes:

• Colors
• Photography
• Writing style
• Calls to action
• Navigation
• Overall user experience

Experience from the Field

One of the most common answers I hear is, “Everybody is our customer.”

The reality is almost never that simple.

I once worked with a company that made incredible handmade candy. At first they wanted to market to everyone, but they didn’t have the staff or infrastructure to ship products nationwide. Their real customer wasn’t the entire country—it was people within driving distance who could visit their store.

Another example is assisted living and nursing homes. Many owners assume they’re marketing to seniors. In reality, much of their website needs to speak to adult sons and daughters in their 40s and 50s who are researching care options for their parents.

Understanding exactly who you’re speaking to changes the writing, the photography, the calls to action, and ultimately the results your website produces.

7. What Websites Do You Love?

Clients often struggle to describe design.

They don’t struggle to point at something they like.

Sharing examples helps establish:

• Style
• Layout
• Color preferences
• Navigation
• Tone
• Functionality

This creates a much clearer direction before design begins.

8. How Large Will the Website Be?

There’s a significant difference between building:

• A five-page website
• A fifty-page website
• A website with thousands of products and documents

Understanding the scope affects:

• Timeline
• Budget
• Navigation
• Search functionality
• Future expansion

9. Will You Need Search Engine Optimization?

Some clients simply want an online brochure.

Others expect Google to send them new customers every week.

Those are two completely different projects.

SEO isn’t something you sprinkle onto a website after it’s finished.

The foundation is laid before the first page is ever designed.

10. Who Will Create the Content?

Will you provide:

• Written copy?
• Professional photography?
• Videos?

Or would you like help creating them?

Many projects stall because everyone assumes someone else is writing the content.

Clarifying this early keeps the project moving.

11. Who Will Be Making the Decisions?

Is this:

• A sole proprietor?
• A business partner?
• A marketing department?
• A nonprofit board?
• Multiple stakeholders?

Knowing who’s involved helps prevent endless revisions and conflicting directions.

Experience from the Field

I’ve discovered that designing for a single business owner is very different from designing for a committee.

A sole proprietor can usually make decisions quickly because there’s one vision guiding the project.

Boards, committees, and large organizations are different. Everyone has an opinion, everyone has a favorite color, everyone has a different idea of what looks “professional.”

I’ve often joked that trying to make everyone happy is like designing a highway road sign. You can fit everyone’s ideas onto it, but by the time you’re finished, it isn’t beautiful anymore—it’s simply trying to satisfy too many opinions.

The best websites are built around a clear vision, not a committee compromise.

12. Is There a Deadline?

Launching before:

• A grand opening
• A conference
• A product launch
• A fundraising campaign
• A holiday season

can dramatically change scheduling priorities.

Good planning prevents last-minute emergencies.

13. How Often Will the Website Be Updated?

Will someone update it:

• Daily?
• Weekly?
• Monthly?
• Only once a year?

Do you want to manage it yourself?

Would you prefer ongoing maintenance?

Or would you like a combination of both?

The answer influences how the website is built.

14. Will You Eventually Sell Products Online?

Even if you’re not planning eCommerce today…

Will you next year?

Planning for future growth can save thousands in redevelopment costs later.

15. What Should Visitors Do Before They Leave?

Every website should have a purpose.

Every page should have an action.

Should visitors:

• Call?
• Fill out a form?
• Schedule an appointment?
• Request an estimate?
• Subscribe?
• Purchase?

Without a clear call to action, even a beautiful website can fail.

Questions You Should Ask Your Web Designer

Don’t stop there.

Interview your web designer just as carefully as they’re interviewing you.

Ask questions like:

• How long have you been designing websites?
• Can I see recent projects?
• Who owns the website after it’s finished?
• Will I own my domain name?
• Will I be able to edit my website?
• What happens if we stop working together?
• Is hosting included?
• Are backups performed?
• Is security included?
• Is SEO part of the project?
• What ongoing costs should I expect?
• How do you handle website maintenance?

A good web designer won’t be offended by these questions.

They’ll welcome them.

One Final Thought

If the first thing a designer asks is:

“What’s your budget?”

You may want to keep looking.

The best designers spend far more time understanding your business than discussing your wallet.

Because until they understand your goals, your customers, your content, your timeline, and your vision…

No honest professional can accurately tell you what your website should cost.

Build the Right Website the First Time

A website is one of the most important investments your business will make.

The right questions asked today can save months of frustration and thousands of dollars tomorrow.

If you’re considering a new website and would simply like an honest conversation—without pressure or confusing technical jargon—I’d be happy to help.

Whether you ultimately work with me or another designer, my goal is the same:

I want you to make the best decision for your business.