Website Planning · 5 min read · Updated October 9, 2026
Questions to Ask a Web Designer Before Hiring
Clarify ownership, deliverables, revisions, content, launch testing, recurring costs, and how to change providers.
Ask what the agreement includes
Request a written description of pages, content work, design revisions, forms, SEO setup, hosting, maintenance, and outside subscriptions. Ask who supplies photos and who approves factual claims.
Clarify the domain, hosting, and business-profile ownership. Find out how backups work, what happens after the agreement ends, and how files or access can be transferred.
- Get included deliverables in writing.
- Clarify ownership, renewal, and transfer terms.
- Separate provider fees from outside subscriptions.
Ask how success and support are handled
Ask how the site will be tested before launch, who handles a broken form, and what response time is included in support. Request clear definitions rather than promises of a top search position.
A useful provider should explain tradeoffs in plain language and distinguish an estimate from a guarantee. Keep a copy of approvals and launch decisions.
- Ask about testing and support responsibilities.
- Avoid ranking guarantees.
- Keep a record of approvals and account access.
Plan your next step
Explore the sample builder, review website packages, or contact Ridgeline Web Co. about project fit.