In the world of business, the saying "expert designers are expensive, but cheap designers cost a fortune" holds a profound truth. Over 60% of our clients come to us after experiencing costly setbacks from working with affordable designers or well-meaning friends who "know how to build websites."
Choosing the wrong web designer can cost you months of wasted time, thousands in rebuild fees, and immeasurable damage to your brand's credibility. Here are the five questions you should ask before hiring anyone.
1. What Platform Do You Specialise In?
A designer who works across every platform under the sun is a jack of all trades, master of none. Look for someone who specialises. At Lustro Creatives, we've chosen to focus exclusively on Squarespace because we believe deep expertise produces better results than surface-level knowledge across a dozen platforms.
A great answer demonstrates deep knowledge of their chosen platform's strengths AND limitations. If they say "we can do anything on any platform," that's a red flag.
2. Can You Show Me Results, Not Just Designs?
Beautiful websites are everywhere. What separates a skilled designer from an amateur is whether their work actually drives business results. Ask to see case studies, not just portfolio screenshots.
- Did the redesign increase conversions?
- How did organic traffic change after launch?
- What business problems did the design solve?
- Can they share client testimonials about measurable outcomes?
3. What Does Your Process Look Like?
A professional designer has a clear, repeatable process. Ad-hoc workflows lead to scope creep, missed deadlines, and frustration on both sides. You should expect to hear about phases like:
- Discovery — Understanding your business, audience, and goals
- Strategy — Defining the site architecture and user journey
- Design — Creating mockups and visual direction
- Development — Building the live site
- Launch & Support — Going live with ongoing assistance
4. What Happens After Launch?
This is the question most people forget to ask — and it's arguably the most important. Your website isn't a one-time project; it's a living asset that needs regular updates, maintenance, and optimization.
A website without post-launch support is like buying a car without a warranty. It might work perfectly today, but what happens in six months when something breaks?
Ask about post-launch training, support packages, and whether you'll be able to manage content updates yourself. A great designer builds a site that empowers you to take ownership.
5. Will I Be Able to Manage the Website Myself?
This is where platform choice matters enormously. Some designers build on systems that require a developer for every small change. Others — like those who specialise in Squarespace — build with user-friendliness at the core.
You should be able to:
- Update text and images without touching code
- Add new pages and blog posts independently
- Manage your product catalogue or booking system
- Understand your analytics without needing a tutorial
The Bottom Line
Don't fall into the trap of thinking you can save money by going with a cheap designer. More often than not, it ends up costing significantly more in the long run — in time, money, and opportunities lost.
Invest in a professional, expert website designer, and watch your business thrive from day one. If you're ready to have that conversation, we'd love to hear from you.
