19th August, 2025
10 Tips to Find the Right Website Developer.
Creating or updating a website is a critical investment for any business. Your website is often the first point of contact for potential customers, and the quality of design, usability, and functionality can make a significant difference to your brand and sales.
Hiring the right web designer or developer is essential. To help you make the best choice, here are 10 practical tips to guide you through the process.
1. Clearly Define Your Goals
Before approaching a designer, be clear about what you want your website to achieve. Are you looking to attract more leads, sell products online, showcase a portfolio, or simply improve your online presence? It’s also important to recognise that there are many different types of websites – from simple brochure sites to complex eCommerce platforms or membership sites. Each type of website will require a different level of design, functionality, and maintenance. Budget is another key factor. If your budget is minimal, there may not be enough time or funds for multiple design concepts, extensive customisation, or advanced features. Being upfront about your goals and budget will help a design agency provide realistic solutions that meet expectations.
2. Look at Their Portfolio
A designer’s portfolio is a direct reflection of their skills and style. Review past projects carefully to see if their work aligns with your vision. Pay attention to design quality, user experience, functionality, and whether their websites are visually appealing and easy to navigate. Previous client feedback can give valuable insight into a designer’s professionalism, communication, and reliability. Ask for references and follow up with past clients if possible. Consistently positive feedback is a good sign that the designer delivers results. It’s also worth reviewing a company’s blog, if they have one. Are they active in sharing updates, insights, and useful information for their audience? An active, valuable blog can indicate that the designer understands content strategy, audience engagement, and ongoing website management – all of which can benefit your project.
3. Location Matters
Where your web designer is based can make a big difference. Working with a local designer makes communication easier, and you can meet in person to discuss ideas, review progress, or brainstorm over a coffee. While overseas or cheaper developers might seem cost-effective, differences in time zones, language, and working practices can create challenges. Choosing a designer close to your business ensures smoother collaboration and quicker response times.
4. Consider Their Technical Skills
Web design often involves multiple skills, including HTML, PHP, CSS, JavaScript, CMS knowledge (such as WordPress), SEO, UX, UI, mobile optimisation, the list goes on. Ensure your designer has the technical expertise to build a website that performs well across devices and search engines. Be aware that off-the-shelf themes may look appealing, but they often come with limitations in customisation, performance, and scalability. A bespoke build, while usually more expensive, allows a designer to tailor every element to your needs, ensuring your website is unique, fully optimised, and easier to maintain as your business grows.
5. Communication and Collaboration
Good communication is key to a successful project. A designer should listen to your ideas, provide constructive feedback, and keep you informed at every stage. Consider how responsive they are to emails or calls. Consider whether they explain technical details in a way you can understand. It’s also worth reviewing client testimonials and case studies before starting a project. These can give insight into how the designer works with clients, their problem-solving approach, and the results they deliver.
6. Understand Their Design Process
Before commissioning a new website, ask about their process from initial concept to final delivery. How do they handle revision control? Do they provide mock-ups or prototypes? Knowing the workflow helps set expectations and ensures a smoother project. As mentioned above, expectations and budget are closely linked – a limited budget may restrict the number of mockups or features that can be included. It’s also important to clarify what happens after launch. Will they provide ongoing updates, bug fixes, and technical support? Do they offer maintenance plans to keep your website secure, up-to-date, and performing optimally? Understanding the full lifecycle of a web design project ensures there are no surprises.
7. Check Their Knowledge of SEO
A visually appealing website is important, but it must also be discoverable and fast. Ask whether a web designer considers SEO, page speed, and accessibility during development. A designer who understands these factors can help your site rank better and provide a better user experience. It’s far better to factor SEO in from the start rather than launch a new website and pay for a full audit and optimisation shortly afterwards. Early integration ensures your site is built with search engines in mind, saving time and costs while maximising long-term visibility.
8. Clarify Costs and Deliverables Upfront
Website projects can vary widely in cost, depending on complexity, features, and design quality. Request a clear proposal outlining the scope of work, timeline, costs, and what’s included (e.g., hosting, maintenance, revisions). Avoid surprises by agreeing on these details before work begins.
9. Think About Ongoing Support and Maintenance
Websites need regular updates, backups, and technical support. Ask whether the designer offers ongoing maintenance or can provide guidance if issues arise. A long-term partnership can save time and keep your site running smoothly. At Tidy Design, we work on a pay-as-you-go basis, charging for our time and materials. There are no ongoing maintenance or update retainers.
10. Trust Your Instincts
Finally, trust your instincts. Choose a designer you feel comfortable working with, who understands your business, and who shares your vision. A positive working relationship is just as important as technical skill. That said, do your homework. Check how long the web design agency or freelancer has been trading and their track record with clients. Experience often reflects reliability, expertise, and a solid understanding of the web industry. For example, Tidy Design has been helping businesses create and maintain websites since 2007, combining years of experience with creative and technical skill to deliver results that last.
Conclusion
Hiring a web designer is a significant decision that can impact your business for years to come. By following these 10 tips, you can find a professional who not only delivers a beautiful and functional website but also helps your business grow online. At Tidy Design, we combine creative design, technical expertise, and ongoing support to help businesses build websites that achieve real results. If you’re looking to hire a web designer, we’re here to help you every step of the way!
Until next time, keep it Tidy!
Mike