I know it feels weird to read an article about choosing a web designer that's written by a web designer. It's like asking a barber if you need a haircut, of course they're going to say yes.

But here's the thing: I've spent the last few years cleaning up messes left by bad web developers. I've seen what happens when people make the wrong choice, and I've learned what questions you should ask before hiring anyone (including me).

So let's talk about how to find someone who'll do right by you and your business.

Red Flag #1: They Won't Show You Their Work

This should be obvious, but you'd be surprised how many people hire a web designer without seeing examples of their previous work.

Ask to see at least 3-5 websites they've built recently. Not just screenshots, actual live websites you can click around on. Check them on your phone. Do they load fast? Do they look professional? Are they still online and working?

If someone can't show you real examples of their work, walk away. They're either brand new (which isn't necessarily bad, but you should know that) or their previous clients weren't happy enough to let them use the work as examples (which IS bad).

Red Flag #2: The Price Seems Too Good to Be True

I quoted a potential client $2,500 for a website last month. They told me they found someone on Fiverr who would do it for $200.

Here's what I told them: "That's great! You should probably go with that if it works for your needs."

And I meant it. Because one of two things is going to happen:

They'll get a $200 website (which is what you'd expect for $200), realize it doesn't work for them, and come back.
They'll actually get lucky and find someone good who's drastically underpricing their work.

Most of the time, it's option one. You get what you pay for.

Professional web development takes 40-60 hours for a basic site. If someone's charging $200, they're either cutting massive corners, using pure templates with no customization, or they're not going to stick around when you need help later.

I'm not saying you need to pay $10,000 for a basic website. But if the price seems impossibly low, there's probably a reason.

Red Flag #3: They Promise #1 Google Rankings

Any web developer who guarantees you'll rank #1 on Google is either lying or doesn't understand how search engines work.

Good web design includes SEO best practices—fast loading times, mobile responsiveness, clean code, proper meta tags. But nobody can guarantee rankings. Google's algorithm is complex and constantly changing, and it considers hundreds of factors.

What a good developer CAN promise:

Your site will be built with SEO best practices
Your site will be fast and mobile-friendly
Your site will have clean, semantic code
They'll help you with local SEO basics

What they CAN'T promise:

Specific rankings
Guaranteed traffic numbers
That you'll show up above your competitors

Be skeptical of anyone who promises otherwise.

Red Flag #4: Everything Is Extra

Get a clear, written quote that includes everything you need. Some developers will quote you $1,500 for a website, but then charge extra for:

Mobile responsiveness
Contact forms
SSL certificate
Hosting setup
Training
Any changes after launch

By the time you're done, that $1,500 website costs $4,000.

There's nothing wrong with charging for add-ons and extra features. But it should be clear upfront what's included and what costs extra.

What Good Developers DO

Now let's talk about the positive signs, what you should look for when hiring someone:

They Ask Questions Before Giving You a Price

If someone quotes you a price in the first five minutes without asking about your business, your goals, or your needs, they're not really listening.

A good developer will want to understand:

What does your business do?
Who are your customers?
What do you want your website to accomplish?
What's your budget and timeline?
Do you have content and photos ready?

They should be consultants, not just order-takers.

They Explain Things in Plain English

Technology has a lot of jargon. A good developer can explain technical concepts without making you feel stupid.

If someone talks to you about "backend frameworks" and "server-side rendering" and "API integrations" without explaining what any of that means or why you should care, they're either showing off or they don't really understand it themselves.

You should leave every conversation understanding a little more than you did before.

They're Honest About What You Don't Need

I've talked clients out of features they wanted because they didn't need them and they'd be wasting their money.

A good developer will tell you "you don't need that yet" or "there's a simpler way to do this" or "let's start basic and add that later if you need it."

Anyone who just says yes to everything and runs up the bill isn't looking out for your best interests.

They Have a Clear Process

Ask them: "What does your process look like?"

They should be able to walk you through:

How long it typically takes
When they need content from you
How many rounds of revisions you get
When you'll see designs
How they handle feedback
What happens after the site launches

If they can't clearly explain their process, they probably don't have one.

They Offer Ongoing Support

Your website isn't a "build it and forget it" thing. Software needs updates. Things break. You'll have questions.

Ask what happens after the site launches:

Do they offer maintenance plans?
What's included?
How quickly do they respond to issues?
What if you want to add features later?

The cheapest option upfront often becomes the most expensive when you need help six months later and your developer has disappeared.

Questions You Should Ask

Here's my recommended list of questions for any web developer you're considering:

"Can I see examples of websites you've built for businesses like mine?"
"What's included in your quoted price, and what costs extra?"
"How long will it take from start to finish?"
"What do you need from me, and when?"
"Will I be able to update content myself, or do I need to call you for every change?"
"What happens if I have problems after the site launches?"
"Do you offer maintenance plans, and what do they include?"
"Who owns the website when we're done?" (It should be you)
"Can you explain your process from start to finish?"
"What happens if I'm not happy with the design?"

Pay attention not just to their answers, but to how they answer. Are they patient? Do they explain clearly? Do they seem annoyed by your questions? This tells you a lot about what it'll be like to work with them.

Local vs. Remote

There are great developers all over the world. But there's something to be said for working with someone local, especially for your first website.

With a local developer:

You can meet face-to-face if needed
They understand your local market
They're in your time zone
They have a local reputation to maintain
They're part of your community

That said, don't choose someone just because they're local if they're not good at what they do. But if you find someone local who checks all the boxes? That's ideal.

Trust Your Gut

This might sound soft, but it matters: do you feel good about working with this person?

Building a website requires collaboration. You'll be working together for weeks or months. You need to feel comfortable asking questions, giving feedback, and being honest when something isn't working.

If someone makes you feel stupid, rushes you, or dismisses your concerns, that's not going to get better after you've paid them.

On the other hand, if someone takes time to listen, explains things clearly, and genuinely seems interested in helping your business succeed, that's worth a lot.

The Bottom Line

Choosing a web designer isn't just about finding the lowest price or the fanciest portfolio. It's about finding someone who:

Does good work
Communicates clearly
Is honest about costs
Will be around when you need help
Treats your business with respect

Take your time. Talk to a few different people. Ask questions. Check references. And trust your instincts.

Your website is an investment in your business. Choose someone who'll treat it that way.

And if you want to talk about your project, even if you're just exploring options, I'm happy to chat. No pressure, no sales pitch. We're neighbors. I'd rather give you honest advice than sell you something that's not right for you.

Want to discuss your website project? Call me at (743) 214-0315 or visit rapidropes.com

How to Choose a Web Designer locally (Without Getting Burned)