Hiring Someone to Build a Website? 7 Red Flags to Watch For
Ready to stop DIY-ing everything and hire a professional for your website? Smart move!
But before you hand over your hard-earned cash to the first designer with a pretty Instagram grid, let's talk red flags. Finding a website developer who truly gets your business (and won't disappear with your deposit) doesn't have to feel like searching for a unicorn.
Here are seven warning signs to watch for:
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Red Flag #1:
When hiring someone to build a website – Show me the receipts!
Would you book an Air BNB with no reviews?
Or book a hairstylist with zero before-and-after pics?
The same applies when vetting a website designer. No portfolio or testimonials is concerning, to say the least.
Social proof isn't just marketing jargon – it's your safety net. Seeing actual work samples and client feedback separates the pros from the pretenders.
No portfolio but glowing reviews? Hmmmm.
Gorgeous portfolio but crickets on testimonials? My alarm bells are going off.
Look, we all start somewhere. Every website developer began with project #1. If you're chatting with someone new to design, that's not automatically a deal-breaker – but their pricing should reflect their rookie status.
If a designer is charging thousands but can't show a single example of their work? That's not just a red flag – it's a whole red banner parade.
When hiring someone to build a website, don't shy away from asking for evidence of past success. Your online presence is too valuable to gamble on unproven talent charging expert rates.
Red Flag #2:
Promises that sound too good to be true? Yeah, they are
"Full 10-page website with custom features for $700? Done in 48 hours!"
Suuuuuure.
When hiring someone to build a website, beware of designers promising champagne results on a beer budget – or those guaranteeing lightning-fast timelines for ultra-complex projects.
Quality websites take time. They require thoughtful planning, strategic design, and careful development. That's why I conduct actual discovery calls instead of just sending price lists & signing a contract from an email – building a website is a relationship, not a drive-thru transaction.
Here's the thing: a designer promising unrealistic timelines is setting up both of you for disappointment. Either they'll rush through your project (hello, mistakes), cut corners on essential elements, or maybe even spring surprise deadlines on you.
Real professionals set realistic expectations from the start. We'd rather under-promise and over-deliver than leave you hanging when that "3-day turnaround" stretches into weeks.
When vetting a website designer, look for someone honest about what's possible – even when it's not what you want to hear.
🛶 Plot your path
Before hiring someone to build a website, take 90 seconds to get crystal clear on what you actually need.
My Website Game Plan Quiz helps you discover which type of website solution matches your business stage, goals, and budget.
Red Flag #3:
Their communication is as clear as dirt
Know that feeling when you text someone and wait...and wait...and wait for a reply?
Now imagine that person is building your entire online presence.
When searching for your web designer, pay close attention to their communication style from day one. Poor communication doesn't magically improve once you've signed a contract – it typically gets worse.
Here's what I've learned after hundreds of discovery calls: communication isn't just about timely responses (though those matter too). It's about connection, clarity, and expertise.
Does the designer ask thoughtful questions about your business goals? Or are they just talking deliverables and deposit amounts?
A quality designer wants to understand your vision and challenges. They ask questions like:
"What's not working with your current site?"
"How do you want clients to feel when they visit your page?"
"What unique challenges does your industry face online?"
Not just "What's your budget?" and "When do you need this done?"
I conduct discovery calls because I'm not just looking for a two-week transaction. I'm building a support system for clients who might need guidance – even beyond launch.
On those calls, you’d find out that I offer a free month of my VIP Client Membership to all clients after we wrap up, plus a custom library of video walkthroughs and SOPs – so they have a off-ramp to learning how to use their sites.
Vibing with your main contact is crucial for an enjoyable process. When vetting a website designer, trust your gut – if communication feels bumpy during the honeymoon phase, the marriage will be rocky too.
Get a support system
Red Flag #4:
They can't explain their process (or worse, don't have one)
"So how exactly does this work?"
If that question is met with a vague "We'll make magic happen!" or "Let's just vibe and see where it goes," run for the hills, friend.
When hiring someone to build a website, a clear process isn't just nice to have – it's the difference between a smooth journey and a stress-induced eye twitch that lasts for months.
Good designers have a system.
They can tell you whether they use waterfall, agile, or atomic design approaches – and more importantly, explain why their method makes sense for your project without making you feel like you're back in tech class.
Your web designer should walk you through:
What happens during discovery
How you’ll communicate during the project
How design concepts are presented
When and how feedback is incorporated
What testing looks like before launch
What support looks like after launch
This transparency isn't just about professionalism – it's about preventing surprises (the bad kind). When you understand the roadmap, you'll know exactly what to expect and when.
A designer who can't explain their process likely doesn't have one.
And when you're vetting a website designer, that's a glaring warning sign that your project might become an expensive game of "figure it out as we go" – with your business as the guinea pig.
Red Flag # 5:
They gloss over the boring (but crucial) stuff
Let's face it – nobody's staying up late fantasizing about ADA compliance or privacy policies.
But when hiring someone to build a website, these "boring" elements are actually kind of a big deal.
A quality web designer doesn't just focus on making your site pretty – they make sure it's legal and accessible too. If they don't mention accessibility, privacy policies, or SEO basics?
That's like a contractor building a gorgeous house but skipping the foundation and plumbing.
Not a great long-term plan, friend.
When your designer glosses over:
Accessibility standards (hint: lawsuits for non-compliant sites are totally a thing, PLUS an inaccessible website tells 25% of visitors you don’t want them!)
Privacy policy and terms of service (because, you know, laws)
Basic SEO setup (because a beautiful site that no one can find is just digital art)
...they're setting you up for potential headaches down the road.
A professional who knows their stuff will build these elements into their process – not tack them on as expensive afterthoughts or worse, ignore them completely.
When vetting a website designer, ask specifically about these compliance elements. Their answer will tell you if they're thinking about your long-term success or just focused on collecting that deposit check.
Red Flag #6:
They care more about pretty pictures than your business goals
A gorgeous website that doesn't convert visitors into clients is just expensive digital art.
When hiring someone to build a website, beware of designers who get starry-eyed about color palettes but glaze over when you mention boring stuff like, oh I don't know, actually making money.
Early in my career, I learned this lesson the hard way.
A client approached me wanting a new website, but when I started asking about brand strategy and business objectives, they were clearly impatient.
"I don't need all that strategy stuff," they insisted. "Just take these images and build me something that looks good." Well, that went about as well as you'd expect.
Without understanding their goals or target audience, I couldn't make informed recommendations about site structure, user journey, or even basic functionality. Design isn't just how something looks – it's how it works to achieve specific outcomes.
Now, I make sure every client is a good match before we sign any contracts.
We talk deeply about their needs and objectives first, because a website should be more than just pretty – it should be a hardworking business tool that doesn't call in sick on Mondays.
How to find a website developer who gets this?
Look for someone who asks about:
Your business model and revenue streams
Who your ideal clients are (and who they aren't)
How you want visitors to move through your site
What specific actions you want people to take
A quality designer balances your aesthetic preferences with strategic decisions that serve your business goals. They might even push back if what you want conflicts with what your business needs. (Someone has to be the adult in the room.)
When vetting a website designer, make sure they're as interested in your business success as they are in creating something visually impressive. Otherwise, you'll end up with a pretty site that just sits there looking cute – but doing absolutely nothing for your bottom line.
Design is how it works
Red flag #7:
Their terms are a big ol’ question mark
"So who actually owns this website when we're done?"
If you get a vague answer (or worse, crickets), that's a Texas-sized red flag.
When hiring someone to build a website, unclear pricing or fuzzy ownership terms aren't just annoying – they're potential landmines for your business.
Picture this nightmare: You pay thousands for a beautiful site, then discover you can't make changes without paying your designer, or worse – you can't take your content with you if you switch providers.
Yikes.
Before signing anything, get crystal clear on:
What happens if you want to move your site later?
Who owns the design elements, content, and code?
Are there hidden maintenance fees lurking?
What exactly does that price tag include (and exclude)?
Ownership models range from "you own everything" to "you're basically renting your own website." And while there's no one-size-fits-all answer, there should be a clear answer.
When vetting a website designer, insist on transparent pricing and ownership terms upfront. Your future self (and your business) will thank you for avoiding this expensive headache.
Next steps:
Find your perfect path forward
Tired of these website horror stories? Uh, yeah!
Before hiring someone to build a website, take 90 seconds to get crystal clear on what you actually need.
My Website Game Plan Quiz helps you discover which type of website solution matches your business stage, goals, and budget.
When you know exactly what you need - DIY, template, semi-custom, or fully custom - you can:
Avoid mismatched expectations from the start
Skip designers who aren't right for your project type
Come to discovery calls with confidence and clarity
Make smarter decisions with your website budget
Answer a few simple questions, and you'll get a personalized roadmap that actually makes sense for YOU. No endless research tabs, no more guesswork, and absolutely no strings attached.
Because the best way to avoid red flags? Know what you're looking for in the first place!
