5 Questions to Ask a Website Builder Before Hiring (So You Don't Get Burned)

Hiring a website designer can feel like handing over the keys to your business and crossing your fingers. We've heard the horror stories: projects that drag on for eight months, surprise monthly fees, and websites that look pretty but don't actually bring in any new leads. 

It takes time to build trust. Whether you are filling out a contact form or coming through a referral, you need to know you are hiring a partner, not just a "template-filler." 

Before you sign a contract or hand over a deposit, ask your potential website builder these five specific questions to ensure your new site will actually grow your business.

1. "Who exactly owns the website and domain when it's done?" 

This might be the single most critical question you can ask. I've had several business owners come to me feeling like their website and domain are being held hostage by their previous agency. 

Some builders charge ongoing monthly fees but you aren't sure what you is included. Or, they build it on a platform that you can't access, meaning you get charged a premium every time you need to change a single sentence. Ask upfront: When the final invoice is paid, do I have full ownership and administrative control of my website and domain? You should feel like a partner, not a number locked in a trap.

2. "What happens after the website is published?" 

A website launch shouldn't be a "one-and-done" transaction. Budgeting for a website means budgeting for the reality of owning one. At minimum, you will have ongoing hosting and domain costs. 

Ask the builder what the hand-off process looks like. Will they provide training so you (or a staff member) can manage and update the site on your own? Are there costs associated with this? If you don't want to do it yourself, do they offer clear, stress-free maintenance and hosting packages? Knowing how you'll handle updates after launch will save you massive headaches down the road.

3. "What specific SEO are you building into the site from Day 1?" 

Many designers claim to "do SEO," but their sites fail basic audits. SEO is a long game, but that phrase is often used as an excuse by agencies to put off clients or mask the fact that they are handing off to uninformed employees. 

Ask them to explain, in simple terms, what they are doing for your SEO on day one. They should be talking about, at the bare minimum, H1 headings, meta descriptions, and title tags for very basic SEO. 

Pro Tip: Once they build the site, you can run free Chrome extensions like PageAudit, OnPageSEO.AI, or DetailedSEO to ensure these foundational elements are actually in place! 

Ultimately, SEO is about getting found by customers. Ask the builder: How is this website going to answer the specific problems my potential customers are searching for?

4. "What is the timeline, process, and what do you expect from me?" 

Building a website is exactly like building a house. You don't just magically get a finished product; there are stages, framing, and finishing touches. 

Ask for a Scope of Work that lays out the milestones. How many revisions? When do you approve the design? Just as importantly, ask what they need from you. A great partner will have a checklist for your logos, colors, taglines, pictures, and copy. 

Note on Timeline: Projects that drag on for months lose their momentum. There is always a lot of energy at the beginning! That is why we specialize in building a website in a single, fast-paced, and exciting week. It holds everyone accountable and keeps the energy high from start to finish.

5. "Can you walk me through your homepage structure through a customer's lens?" 

Your website should not just be a digital brochure of "what I do." It needs to clearly communicate, "I can solve X problem for you." Every single page should have one specific purpose. 

Ask the builder to explain the psychological journey of their designs. They should be able to break down exactly why they place elements where they do, including: 

• The Top Navigation: Is it clean and easy to use?

• The Hero (Above the Fold): Does it immediately state what you do and who you serve

• The Welcome & Services Sections: Does it focus on the customer's problem?

• Social Proof: Where do the testimonials go to build trust?

• The Call to Action (CTA) & Lead Form: How exactly are we getting them to reach out?

If they can't explain the strategy behind the structure, they are just treating your business like an art project. 

Ready to build a website that actually works for you? 

If you are tired of the guesswork and want a transparent, strategic partner who will build your website the right way, without holding it hostage, we need to talk. Click here to book a quick, no strings, discovery call and feel free to ask me every single one of these questions!