1. Look past the pretty screenshots
Good portfolios are easy to fake. Click through to the live sites. Check that they load quickly on a phone, that the copy sounds human, and that you can actually find the contact details without hunting.
2. Ask who writes the content
A lot of weak sites look fine but read like filler. Ask whether the designer writes the copy, whether they will shape yours, or whether you are expected to turn up with every word ready. None of these are wrong, but you need to know.
3. Get clarity on ownership
You should own the domain, the hosting account, and the content. If anything is registered in the designer's name, be firm about moving it before you pay in full.
4. Understand the payment terms
Upfront deposits are common, but huge deposits with no visible work are not. A pay-on-approval or staged model lowers your risk and keeps the designer motivated.
5. Red flags
- No examples of real, live sites
- Vague answers about hosting, email and ownership
- Pressure to sign a long contract before a single draft
- A quote that seems far cheaper than everyone else for no clear reason
6. Good questions to ask
- What happens if I want to change something after launch?
- Who do I contact if the site goes down?
- How will the site handle phones, tablets and desktop?
- What do you do about SEO basics and search engine listings?