What to Look for in a Great Web Designer
Hiring someone to build your website is a big step, especially if you’ve previously managed things yourself. Your site isn’t just some files on the internet; it’s your shopfront, your reputation, and often your first impression on potential customers. You’re probably also making a big investment and hoping to get a good return, so choosing the right designer or agency makes all the difference.
We’ve outlined some of the red flags to look for in a previous blog, but this blog is all about the positives! This time, we’re taking a look at the green flags that let you know you’ve found a great fit for your business.
Here’s what we think you should look for in a great website designer:
1: A Professional and Well-Maintained Online Presence
Like many small businesses, web developers also find it easy to focus on clients and neglect their admin work. However, a designer’s own website is their shop window. If it looks outdated, clunky, or glitchy, that’s not a great sign. Does it work on mobile? Are there lots of broken links?
A professional online presence shows they care about quality and practice what they preach, but don’t write someone off just because they haven’t blogged in 6 months…
2: Transparency About Previous Work
The best designers are proud to show off what they’ve built. Ask to see examples, talk about the process, and (if possible) check references. A strong track record is a great indicator that they’ll be great to work with.
Be aware that some projects may involve an NDA, so although they might not be able to give you details, they’ll be able to talk through the main points. Another thing to keep in mind when checking past work is that clients may have edited the site or taken it down since it was completed, so many designers will provide screenshots of their work at handover. Don’t worry if things have changed slightly since.
3: Clear Pricing and Honest Costs
A trustworthy designer will explain pricing clearly, separating the initial build from ongoing maintenance or hosting. This way you know exactly what you’re paying for, without any nasty surprises later on.
They’ll also be happy to negotiate if you have a budget in mind. We often break projects into smaller chunks, or come up with alternative ideas if the original scope is not feasible for the budget available.
4: Straightforward Communication
You don’t need jargon and dense technical details. You need clear communication. A good designer will listen to your questions and give you practical explanations that make sense. This is one of the main reasons clients choose to switch to us from their previous agencies. We know the technical stuff, but we can translate it into plain English so you know exactly what is going on.
5: A Proper Discovery Process
Before building your site, your designer should want to really understand your business. This could be in the form of a scoping session or a detailed questionnaire where you can fully discuss your business strategy and customer needs. Your website should fulfil its purpose, not just look pretty.
We specialise in making sites that work for users as well as create value, so we need to understand your wider business goals as well as getting your insights on what makes your customers tick. Trying to build a site without this background knowledge is incredibly hard and unlikely to be successful.
6: Realistic Goals and Long-Term Thinking
Quick wins are nice, but a strong online presence takes time. Especially if you are looking to improve your SEO or boost your conversion rate, you might not see noticeable results for several weeks or even months.
Look for someone who will help you set realistic goals and build a website that can grow with your business long term, not someone promising overnight results.
7: Hosting and Domain Support (Without Ownership Headaches)
A good developer or designer will help you set up hosting and domains, but they’ll also make sure you retain ownership. That way, you’re never locked in or stuck if you want to move providers.
We’ve worked with several agencies to transfer client sites, and the good ones are always helpful even when the client is leaving them and joining us. We’ve also had to track down developers who’ve ghosted their clients, letting their sites go stale or even offline. If your name isn’t on the domain and hosting accounts, then there isn’t much you can do it that situation except start again.
8: A Reliable CMS With Training
Your website shouldn’t feel like a black box. Whether it’s WordPress, Wix, Shopify, Webflow, or another CMS, you should be able to update basic content yourself. You wouldn’t get a professional shop fitter in every time you wanted to change the products in your shop window display, so those day-to-day updates about opening hours, special offers or upcoming events should feel manageable.
Look for a designer who offers training, documentation, or ongoing support to empower you and your team to do those basic tasks yourself.
9: Aligned Relationship Goals
Think about what kind of relationship you are looking for. Are you looking for a one-off piece of work with no further commitments? Or a strategic partner who will help you grow and develop over a longer time scale? Both of these are fine (as well as anything in between), but having an idea of what you want before you hire a new agency or freelancer can be really helpful in finding the right fit.
How Well Does Your Current Digital Agency Do?
A website is a long-term investment, and choosing the right partner is just as important as choosing the right design. The best web developers and designers combine creativity with strategy, transparency, and reliability, so your business can grow with confidence.
We hope these green flags have given you a checklist of things to look out for when choosing your website designer, and some ideas of how to find the best match for you.
At Red Spark Digital, we work with businesses to design websites that last. From the original consultation to the finished product, we’ll make sure you have the tools, knowledge, and support you need. If you’d like to find out more about how we could help you develop your online presence, please get in touch or book in for a free consultation call.
