Choosing a web designer is a bit like choosing a builder. The finished product might look great on handover day, but what happens six months later when something breaks, or when nobody can find your business on Google?

Most people ask about price and how long the build will take. Those matter, but they won't tell you whether you're hiring someone who'll still be around when you need them. Here are the five questions we'd ask any web designer before proceeding, including the ones most clients forget.

1. What happens after the site goes live?

This is the big one, and it's the question most people never ask.

Many designers are project-based. They build the site, hand over the login details, send the final invoice and move on. That's fine until a plugin update breaks your contact form, your hosting renews at a higher rate, or you need a new page added and can't get anyone to reply.

Ask specifically:

• Do you offer ongoing support and maintenance, or is this a one-off build?
• What does that support include; software updates, security patches, backups, content changes?
• What's the response time if something breaks?
• What does it cost, and is it optional or built in?

A website isn't a finished object. It's software running on a server, and software needs looking after. At Owl Web we offer ongoing support, hosting and maintenance because we've seen too many small businesses left with a site nobody is maintaining. If a designer offers little or nothing after launch, factor in what it will cost you to get help elsewhere.

2. Do you understand the basics of SEO?

A beautiful website that nobody can find is an expensive brochure.

Your designer doesn't need to be an SEO specialist, but they should understand the fundamentals and build them in from the start. Retrofitting SEO into a badly structured site is slow and costly.

Ask them to explain, in plain English:

• How will you structure the page titles, headings and URLs?
• Will the site load quickly on mobile?
• Will each page have unique meta titles and descriptions?
• Do you set up Google Search Console and Google Business Profile?
• Are images compressed and named properly?

If the answer is vague, or "we can add SEO later", be cautious. Good SEO foundations are decisions made during the build, not a package bolted on afterwards.

3. Who owns the website, the domain and the content?

This one catches out people constantly.

Some designers register your domain name under their own account. Some build on proprietary platforms you can't leave. Some keep the hosting login and charge you to make any change.

Ask:

• Will the domain name be registered in my name?
• Do I get full admin access to the website and hosting?
• If we part ways, can I take the site with me?
• Who owns the design, images and copy once it's paid for?

You should own everything you've paid for. A trustworthy designer will happily put it in writing.

4. Can I update the site myself, and will you show me how?

Not every business wants to edit their own website, but you should have the option.

If every small text change means an email, a wait and an invoice, costs add up quickly and the site slowly goes stale. A site built on a proper content management system lets you update prices, add a blog post or swap a photo without touching code.

Ask:

• What platform is the site built on?
• Can I make basic changes myself?
• Do you provide training or a handover session?
• If I'd rather you handle updates, what's the arrangement?

The right answer depends on you. Just make sure the choice is yours.

5. Can I see examples of sites you've built, and can I speak to those clients?

A portfolio shows you the designer's work. A conversation with a past client shows you what they're like to deal with.

When you look at their examples, don't just judge the design. Visit the sites on your phone. Check how fast they load. Search for the business on Google and see whether it appears. Notice whether the sites still look maintained or whether they've been abandoned.

Then ask a client or two:

• Did the project finish on time and on budget?
• What happened when you needed help after launch?
• Would you use them again?

Before you sign

Get the answers to all five questions in writing ideally in a proposal or agreement or an email. A good designer will welcome the questions. If they get defensive or vague, that's your answer.

If you're in the Northern Rivers and want to talk through a new website or the support you're (not) getting on your current one, we're happy to have that conversation without any obligation.

Owl Web - More Than Just a Website