Ready to Hire a Web Designer? 5 Questions to Ask Yourself First
Are you thinking about hiring a web designer, but not sure if now is the right time, or worried it might be a really expensive mistake? In this first installment of the Confident Client Series, I’m sharing five questions to help you know, with confidence, whether you’re truly ready or if you should wait.
Web design is a significant investment of money, time, and energy. Jumping in too soon can lead to frustration, delays, and results that don’t serve your business, while waiting too long can mean missing out on opportunities every day.
I’m Meg, a Squarespace freelance web designer and SEO specialist. For this journey, I’ll be your confidence catalyst, helping you bridge the gap between your expertise and your website presence so you can show up confidently online. With deep technical expertise and a background in mindfulness and yoga, I bring calm, intentional energy to the process, because it shouldn’t feel overwhelming; it should feel empowering.
This is the first step in a series designed to move you from uncertainty to a clear next step.
If you prefer to watch, you can follow the full playlist here: The Confident Client Series on YouTube.
Let’s walk through five essential questions to check your readiness and set clear expectations.
Question 1: Is Your Business Foundation Solid?
A website is most effective when your business foundation is clear. If you’re still changing your offer every week, a custom site can lock you into messaging that doesn’t fit for long.
Signs you’re ready to hire
You’ve been in business at least 6 to 12 months.
You have a clear service offering and know what you sell.
You’ve worked with paying clients and delivered results.
You can articulate who your ideal client is.
Ideally, you have testimonials or case studies to support your work.
Why this matters: a strategic website amplifies what’s already working through thoughtful web design. When you know your offer, ideal client, and the transformation you provide, your website can showcase that clearly, inform necessary user research, and help you grow while enhancing the overall user experience (UX).
Signs you should wait
You’re still figuring out your core services, or they keep changing.
You haven’t had any paying clients yet.
You’re unclear about who you want to serve.
If you’re not there yet, that’s okay. Focus on getting clear on your offer, working with a few clients, and testing your messaging. A simple one-page site or even a strong social presence may be all you need for now. Starting too early can box you in and limit flexibility. When your foundations are set, your website will perform better and feel easier to maintain.
If you want more perspective on when a simple setup is enough, you may find this helpful: benefits of a professional online presence.
Question 2: Do You Have a Realistic Budget?
Let’s talk money. A professional website is an investment, and understanding the cost upfront will save stress later.
Understanding the costs
Professional custom website design typically ranges from $2,000 to $10,000 or more for custom design, depending on your business complexity, needs, and the freelance web designer you hire. These professional web design costs cover specialized skills like design, branding, seo, and copywriting, ensuring a polished result. If you’re expecting to pay a few hundred dollars, adjust your expectations or consider a different approach, especially when compared to using basic design tools.
What budget clarity looks like
You’ve researched typical investment ranges for your niche or industry.
The funds are allocated, not hypothetical.
You understand what’s included versus what costs extra.
You know there are ongoing costs, like hosting, domains, and any third-party apps integrations you require.
You see this as an investment in your business, not just an expense.
Options if your budget is tight
Start with a website builder like Squarespace and customize a template yourself.
Book a design day or a template customization service for a lower-cost web design option.
Ask about payment plans to spread the investment out.
Save now while preparing your content so you’re ready when the time comes.
Avoid the cheapest option just to get something launched. Cheap can become expensive when you need a professional to fix or rebuild later. If this is on your mind, you might like this breakdown of the hidden costs of building your own website.
Question 3: Can You Commit the Time Required?
Hiring a web designer is not fully hands-off. Your input shapes the project, and your responsiveness keeps it moving.
Expectation reset: you can’t disappear and come back to a finished website. You’ll need to participate at key points.
Typical time commitments
Discovery calls and strategy sessions: 1 to 2 hours.
Gathering content and assets: 5 to 10 hours, if your web designer isn’t writing your copy.
Reviewing designs and providing feedback: 3 to 5 hours.
Final review, revisions, and launch training: additional time at the end.
Plan for at least 20 hours of your time, depending on project scope and pace.
Signs you’re ready
You can carve out dedicated time and avoid major disruptions during the project.
You can respond within the timeframes in your contract with your web designer.
You’re willing to prioritize the project.
Signs you should wait
You’re overwhelmed with other priorities or a major life event.
You can’t respond to emails or communications in the timeframes required by your designer.
This would just be one more thing on your to-do list that pushes you over the edge.
A rushed, distracted client usually ends up with a rushed, unfocused website. Give the project the attention it deserves, including attention to detail in the design process, and your designer will deliver a better, cleaner result with a strong strategy, site usability, and successful web design outcomes, such as proper responsive design implementation.
Question 4: Is Your Content Prepared or Preparable?
“Content” includes all the information and assets your site needs to tell your story and convert visitors into clients in your web design project.
What content includes
Your story, services, process, and prices.
Professional photos of you, your work, or your space.
Branding basics, like logo, colors, and fonts.
Testimonials or case studies for social proof.
Any other assets you need, like videos, portfolios, or course materials.
Web designers have different processes. Some require everything before you start. Others build content support into the project.
Here’s how a collaborative approach can look:
Branding: if you don’t have a logo, color palette, or font pairings, some designers can create those as part of your project, often incorporating graphic design elements. This is a service I provide, for example.
Copy: your designer may use a content workbook like I do to guide your answers, then draft your website copy from what you share. You don’t have to be a copywriter; you just need to talk about your business. Others may give you templates to fill out to guide you through writing it yourself, or they may also be copywriters who can write it all for you.
Photos: you’ll typically provide professional photos, or budget for AI photo shoots or curated stock images for an extra fee. Phone photos usually aren’t ideal for a professional site.
Content readiness levels
Level 1, ideal: everything is ready, from branding and photos to testimonials and messaging. You’re in great shape, and content readiness streamlines the design process.
Level 2, common: you have some pieces, can articulate what you do and who you serve, and either have photos or a plan to get them. Most designers can help fill gaps.
Level 3, needs prep: you’re starting from scratch, unsure how to explain your offer, with no photos, testimonials, or plan. Focus on clarity first and creating some content, then build the website.
Tip: Ask potential designers what they require upfront versus what they help with before hiring. This saves you from scrambling to hire a separate copywriter or photographer at the last minute.
Essentials to bring regardless
Clarity on your offer, ideal client, and what makes you different.
Photos, or a plan and budget to secure them.
Time to prepare content before the project starts, plus time to give thoughtful feedback during design.
Photos can make or break your website. Budget for a professional shoot or plan for stock that aligns with your brand. This is not the place to cut corners. These elements also tie into the visual UI design, ensuring a cohesive look.
If you’re already thinking ahead about professional support, you can explore professional Squarespace design options so you know what help is available when you’re ready, including viewing a portfolio of past work.
Question 5: Are Your Goals and Expectations Clear?
“Because everyone has one” isn’t a goal. Your website needs a job to align with your business goals, or it’s hard to know if it’s working.
Clear, measurable goals might include
Grow your email list by 50 subscribers per month.
Present a professional image when people Google you.
Get consistent signups to your course or coaching program.
Sell digital products via e-commerce platforms.
Stand out from competitors.
Generate 10 qualified leads per month.
Book 3 new clients per month.
Unclear or unrealistic expectations look like
“I just need a website” or “I want it to be pretty.”
“I want to be on page one of Google right away.”
“I want it to do everything for everyone.”
Reality check: your website is a tool, not magic. It won’t fill your calendar on its own, and it won’t replace your digital marketing. Addressing your SEO needs takes time and strategy. Your site won’t close every sale without effort. What it will do is work 24/7, build credibility, make your marketing more effective, and give potential clients a place to learn about you and take the next step.
When your business goals are clear, your designer can build a strategic web design that optimizes user experience (UX) with a user-centric mindset, and you can measure success through conversions with less guesswork.
Quick Recap: Where Do You Stand?
Here’s a simple way to read your results:
Checked all five boxes? You’re likely ready to move forward.
Checked three or four? You’re close. Close the gaps, then start.
Checked one, two, or none? That’s useful information. Now you know what to focus on first.
Wherever you are is okay. There’s no shame in waiting until you’re ready, and doing so can prevent expensive mistakes and a lot of stress. Give yourself permission to prepare well. When you do move forward, your web design process feels cleaner and the result works harder for your business.
If you want more inspiration for what’s possible, see the case studies in website design.
Thanks for reading. Take an honest look at where you are today, choose your next right step, and keep it simple. Your website is an investment in your growth, and you deserve a calm, clear, and supportive process. If you have questions or want to share where you’re at, feel free to comment and stay tuned for the next topic in the series, where we’ll talk about the signs it’s time for a website redesign.
You can also watch the full video series here: Confident Client Series playlist on YouTube.
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