If you’ve been burnt by a web designer before, you’re in good company. Designers who go missing in action, sites that don’t work, hidden costs after launch: we hear these stories from new clients all the time.
The good news is that most of these problems are easy to avoid if you know what to look for. Here’s our checklist.
1. A portfolio that shows real results
Don’t just look at pretty screenshots. Visit the live sites. Do they load quickly? Do they work on your phone? Is it obvious what each business does and how to contact them? Bonus points if the designer can tell you how those sites have performed.
2. Genuine, recent reviews
Google reviews are gold. Read the recent ones, not just the star rating. Look for comments about communication, patience, meeting deadlines and support after launch. That’s where the difference between good and bad designers really shows.
3. They ask about your business, not just your colour scheme
A good web designer wants to understand your customers, your goals and what makes you different. If the first conversation is all about fonts and colours, they’re designing a picture, not a business tool.
4. Marketing know-how
A website is only valuable if people find it and act on it. Look for a designer who understands SEO, calls to action and how to turn visitors into leads. Building it is one skill. Getting it to bring in business is another.
5. A clear process and timeline
You should know exactly what happens and when. At Cultivate Digital, ours is simple: discovery, write it, design it, build it, launch it. A designer who can’t explain their process clearly will struggle to deliver it.
6. Transparent, fixed pricing
Get a written quote that spells out what’s included: number of pages, features, revisions, content, SEO setup and training. Ask what costs extra. Ask about ongoing costs too (more in Typical Costs for a Professional Website in Melbourne).
7. You’ll own your website
Your domain, hosting account and website should be in your name. Avoid anyone who builds on a proprietary system you can’t take with you. It’s your business asset, so make sure it stays that way.
8. Support after launch
Launch day isn’t the finish line. You’ll need updates, tweaks and the odd urgent fix. Ask who you’ll call when something goes wrong, and how quickly they’ll respond.
Red flags
- Slow or vague replies before you’ve even signed
- No contract or written scope
- Large upfront payment with no milestones
- They own your domain or hosting
- “We’ll sort the details out later”
Why clients choose Cultivate Digital
We’re small, but we’ve been doing this since 2004. With 171+ five-star reviews on Google and Meta, we’re proud of the reputation we’ve earned. You get a direct line to Paul at all times, no sales guy and no one-size-fits-all templates. We’ll keep making edits until you’re happy, and we’ll never leave you high and dry.
For the questions to ask before you sign, see 12 Questions to Ask a Web Designer Before You Sign.
Book a Discovery Session or call 0489 262 100.
