Step 1: Define What You Need
Before reaching out to any designer, get clear on:
- How many pages do you need?
- Do you need e-commerce/online store?
- Do you have content (text, images) ready?
- What's your budget range?
- When do you need it live?
- Do you need ongoing maintenance?
Step 2: Freelancer vs Agency vs DIY
Freelancer
Pros: Affordable ($300-1,500), direct communication, fast delivery
Cons: Single point of failure, varying quality
Best for: Small-medium businesses with clear requirements
Agency
Pros: Full team, established process, brand prestige
Cons: Expensive ($2,000-15,000+), slower, bureaucratic
Best for: Large enterprises with big budgets
DIY (Wix/Squarespace)
Pros: Cheapest ($0-300/year), immediate
Cons: Limited design, poor SEO, looks generic
Best for: Hobby projects or temporary placeholder sites
Step 3: What to Look For
Strong portfolio with relevant work
Client testimonials & reviews
SEO knowledge (not just design)
Responsive/mobile-first approach
Clear pricing (no hidden fees)
Post-launch support included
Fast communication style
Understanding of your industry
Step 4: Red Flags to Avoid
No portfolio or only template examples
Guarantees first-page Google rankings
Won't provide a contract or timeline
Requires full payment upfront
Can't explain their process clearly
No mention of mobile or SEO
Unrealistically low prices ($50 for a full site)
Step 5: Questions to Ask
- Can you show me 3 recent projects similar to what I need?
- What's your process from start to finish?
- Is SEO included or a separate cost?
- How many revisions are included?
- What happens after the site launches?
- Will I own the website and domain?
- What's the total cost with no hidden fees?
- What's your typical delivery timeline?