How do I choose a web designer?

Short answer: Pick a web designer on evidence, not sales talk. Look at sites they have actually built, get a clear total price in writing, and confirm who owns the finished site. The right choice is the one who explains things plainly and answers your questions without dodging.

Start with their portfolio, not their pitch

Anyone can write good copy about themselves. What matters is what they have built for other people. Ask to see three or four live sites and then actually visit them on your phone. Do they load quickly? Do they look right on a small screen? Is the writing clear? A designer's own site tells you how they present themselves; their client work tells you what you will actually get.

Pay attention to whether the examples resemble your kind of business. A designer who has built for tradespeople, cafes, or clinics understands the practical things those businesses need — a clear phone number, an enquiry form, opening hours. You can browse the kind of work we mean on our work page and see how different trades are handled on our trades page.

Get the whole price in writing

The single biggest source of grief is a price that turns out to be only part of the story. Before you commit, ask exactly what the quoted figure covers and what it does not. Does it include the copywriting, the images, the contact form, setting the site live? Is there a monthly fee, and if so, what happens if you stop paying it?

At BuiltWeb we work on one-off pricing with no subscriptions — a Basic site is £300, e-commerce is £750, add-ons start at £60, and hosting is free, forever, if you want us to handle it. You can see the full breakdown on our packages page or get a clear price for your own project in a couple of minutes. Whatever provider you choose, insist on that same clarity. A vague quote nearly always grows.

Confirm ownership and how edits work

Two questions catch people out later. First: when the site is paid for, is it yours? You want to own the finished website and, ideally, receive the source files so you are never locked to one provider. Second: can you make small changes yourself — swapping a photo, updating a price — or do you have to pay every time?

There is no single right answer here, but there is a right answer for you. If you like tinkering, a designer who hands over an editable site suits you. If you would rather never touch it, someone who offers a small update service is fine. What matters is knowing the arrangement before you pay, not after. Our own policy is spelled out in our FAQ.

Weigh communication as heavily as skill

A talented designer who never replies to emails will cost you more stress than a decent one who keeps you posted. In your first few exchanges, notice how quickly they respond, whether they answer the question you actually asked, and whether they explain things in plain English or hide behind jargon. That early behaviour is the best preview of the whole project.

It is also fair to consider whether a designer is even the right route for you. If your needs are genuinely tiny, a DIY builder might do. If you want a proper, custom result without agency overheads, an independent studio like ours sits in the middle. We cover that trade-off honestly in freelancer vs agency vs DIY builder, and you can read more about what we do on our web design page.

Choosing well is mostly about asking plain questions and listening to how they are answered. Get a clear price and see how straightforward it can be.