10 Questions to Ask a Website Designer Before You Sign a Contract

Hiring a website designer can be an investment. Your website often serves as the first impression potential customers have of your business, so choosing the right partner matters. Unfortunately, I've had more consultations than I can count with business owners who were left frustrated by a previous website designer and unsure of what to do next. I also get a good amount of calls from business owners that have websites, don’t feel they are a good representation of their business BUT don’t have access to the site to change anything.

The common demoninator in most of these situations is that the business owner didn’t know what questions to ask the website developer before signing the contract. Many small business owners focus more on the design itself but overlook important details about ownership, access, maintenance, and long-term support.

The result? Unexpected fees, limited access to their own website, or a site that doesn't actually support their business goals.

Whether you're hiring a freelance designer, a marketing agency, or a Squarespace website designer like me, asking the right questions upfront can save you headaches later.

Here are the questions every business owner should ask before moving forward.

What Is Your Website Design Process?

Every designer works differently.

Some jump straight into design. Others start with strategy, messaging, and planning before creating anything.

Ask them to walk you through their process from start to finish:

• Discovery and strategy

• Content gathering

• Design phase

• Revisions

• Development

• Testing

• Launch

• Training

A clear process is often a sign of an experienced professional who has refined their approach over time.

How Do You Learn About My Business Before Designing My Website?

A website should do more than look good. It should communicate what makes your business different and guide visitors toward taking action.

Ask how the designer learns about:

• Your business goals

• Your ideal client

• Your services

• Your competitive advantage

• Your brand positioning

If they don't spend time understanding your business, they may simply create a pretty website that doesn't convert visitors into customers. Clients that work with me typically start by going through my Brand and Marketing Review Session. This is where I learn about their business, understand their goals and help them determine what they need to iron out BEFORE we dig into the design process. Doing this leg work upfront also helps the design process go a lot smoother and faster!

What Platform Will My Website Be Built On?

Not all platforms are created equal. Ask why they recommend a particular platform and whether it's a good fit for your business.

Popular options include:

• Squarespace

• WordPress

• Shopify

• Wix

As a Squarespace website designer, I often recommend Squarespace because it provides a balance of professional design, flexibility, security, and ease of use for many service-based businesses but if Squarespace isn’t the right fit for your goals, I am always upfront with clients about it. If you have complex functionality needs, WordPress may be your best choice. If your focus is e-commerce, Shopify may be the best fit. A developer should not push a specific platform on you just because that is what they are comfortable working with. They should recommend one that meets your needs even if it means they end up not being the best partner for you.

If You Purchase My Domain Name, Who Owns It?

Many business owners don't realize their domain is separate from their website. If a designer purchases the domain on your behalf, ask:

• Who owns the registration?

• What email address is attached?

• Will I have login access?

• Can I transfer ownership if needed?

Ideally, your domain should always be registered in your name using an account you control. Since your domain is essentially www.yourbusinessname.com, you don’t want to find yourself in a situation where someone else owns that. When that happens, they can charge you any price they want to transfer ownership.

Who Owns the Website After It's Complete?

This is one of the most important questions you can ask. When the project is finished:

• Do you own the website?

• Do you have full access?

• Can you move it elsewhere if needed?

The answer should always be yes. Your website is a business asset and should belong to you, not your designer. As soon as I finish a website, I provide a one hour training to the owner, and on that call, I transfer ownership to them. In doing this, they become the owner of the site and I remain on as a contributor as long as they’d like me to, to help with edits if needed.

Will I Have Access to the Website Backend?

Some agencies maintain complete control over the backend of your website. Others provide full access and training so you can make updates yourself.

Ask:

• Will I have administrator access?

• Can I edit content myself?

• Can I add pages?

• Can I update images and text?

A good Squarespace website designer should be able to build a site that allows you to confidently make simple updates without needing to hire someone every time. You should be able to access the site whenever you want via your own unique login.

Is There a Monthly Maintenance Fee?

Some designers charge ongoing maintenance fees. Others don't. Neither approach is inherently wrong, but you should understand exactly what you're paying for.

Ask:

• Is maintenance required?

• What services are included?

• Is it optional?

• What does it cost?

What Happens If I Stop Paying the Maintenance Fee?

This question can reveal a lot. If you decide to stop working together:

• Does your website stay live?

• Do you lose access?

• Can you manage it yourself?

• Are there any penalties?

• Is there a fee to retain ownership of the site once your stop paying the maintenance fee.

Your website should remain yours regardless of whether you continue using a designer's maintenance services. In the MedSpa industry, there are a number of larger companies that bundle a CRM system with web, text and email marketing capabilities. The bundle can costs hundreds, sometimes thousands per month. On more than one occassion, I have had MedSpa owners come to me wanting to move away from the company for one reason or another only to learn that if they do that, they will lose their site, or they have to pay a “buyout” fee. I’ve seen the buyout fee be more expensive than rebuilding the site so be sure you know who owns the site and what rights you have to it in the event that you stop working with the company that built it.

What Content Do You Need From Me?

Understanding your responsibilities is important.

Ask:

• Who writes the website copy?

• Who provides images?

• Do you offer copywriting services?

• What happens if content is delayed?

This can significantly impact your timeline and cost. If you want the site properly optimized for SEO, you are better off working with someone that is providing copy for you and writes for local search. When I build sites, most clients do a branded photo shoot and provide me with images, BUT I am working to resize and optimize them for the site. I also have a delay fee built into my contracts for clients that can not provide items requested in a timely manner, so be sure you know what you are on the hook for!

What Kind of Support Is Available After Launch?

Eventually, you'll have questions.

Ask:

• Do you offer support?

• Is support included or billed separately?

• What is your response time?

• Do you offer ongoing consulting?

Knowing what happens after launch helps you plan for the future.

Red Flags to Watch For

As you interview website designers, be cautious if you hear things like:

• "You don't need access to the backend."

• "We own the website."

• "The domain is under our account."

• "We'll talk about revisions as we go."

• "SEO isn't included."

• “Your website is part of a larger package of services.”

These aren't always deal breakers, but they deserve further discussion before signing a contract.

Choosing the Right Website Designer

The best website designer isn't necessarily the cheapest or the one with the fanciest portfolio. It's the person who takes the time to understand your business, communicates clearly, and builds a website that supports your goals.

A great website should be more than an online brochure. It should be a strategic tool that helps attract, nurture, and convert potential customers.

By asking these questions upfront, you'll be better equipped to choose a designer who can deliver a website that not only looks professional but also supports the growth of your business for years to come. If I can help with your next website project, schedule a Fit Call with me to discuss!