Hiring a Web Designer?

For small business owners, your website is one of your most important tools, it represents your brand, attracts customers and drives growth. However, not all web designers are equal and there are red flags to watch out for when choosing someone to build your website. Be cautious of promises like “I can have your site ready in 24 hours.” While fast turnaround sounds appealing, quality small business websites require planning, strategy and careful design. Rushed sites often end up glitchy, confusing, or difficult to update later. Another common warning sign is when hosting or domain registration is under the designer’s account rather than yours. Your small business website should always be fully owned and controlled by you. Losing access to your domain or hosting can be a costly mistake, leaving your business at the mercy of someone else. Always make sure you have full ownership and access before work begins. Watch out for designers who can’t show a portfolio or only offer “portfolio coming soon.” Without examples of past work, it’s difficult to know what you’ll actually get. Similarly, “too good to be true” offers, like extremely cheap websites advertised in Facebook groups with no business details, website, or real portfolio, are a signal to slow down and do your homework. These accounts often rely on heavily templated designs and may lack the experience to create a professional, effective small business website. Finally, always ask questions, check references and make sure you can schedule a phone call, video call, or face to face meeting. If a designer avoids direct contact or pressures you to make a quick decision, that’s a red flag. Your website is an investment, not a gamble. Choosing the right web designer ensures your small business website is secure, professional and fully supports your brand and growth objectives.