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What to Expect When Hiring a Website Designer
- Katie Organ
- Mar 11
- 5 min read
Updated: Mar 22
If you’ve never hired a website designer before, the process can feel a bit unclear. A lot of people assume it’s simply a case of choosing a few colours, adding some photos, and putting everything online.
In reality, there’s a lot more that goes into creating a website that actually works for your business.
Here’s what the process usually looks like when working with a website designer, and a few things people are often surprised by along the way.
1. The Discovery Call
Every project starts with a discovery call.
This is where we talk about your business, your goals, and what you want the website to achieve. A website should always have a purpose - whether that’s generating enquiries, showcasing your work, or building credibility for your brand.
During this call we usually discuss things like:
who your target audience is
what do you want your website to achieve
any features or functionality required
your timeline for the project
how do you want or need your website to grow with your business
This conversation helps me understand the scope of the project before putting together a proposal.
2. Proposal and Quote
After the discovery call, I’ll send over a proposal and quote outlining the project.
This includes:
the scope of work
estimated timeline
pricing
what I’ll need from you during the project
One thing that really helps projects run smoothly is being clear about everything upfront. If new features or pages are added halfway through the project, it can delay things and sometimes even affect the strategy that’s already been planned.
The more I know at the start, the more accurately I can quote and plan the build.
3. Onboarding and the Client Questionnaire
Once the project is confirmed, the next step is onboarding.
You’ll usually receive a questionnaire designed to gather all the information needed before the design work begins. This might include:
details about your business
brand guidelines
examples of websites you like
your website copy and content
keyword discussion for SEO & GEO work
Something people don’t always realise is that clients typically provide the website copy.
Tools like ChatGPT can help refine ideas, but they can’t fully replace the planning and strategy behind communicating what makes your business unique. At the end of the day, no one knows your business better than you do. I also work with a copywriter, in case that is a preferred option.
4. The First Draft
Once everything is in place, the first draft of the website is created.
This is where the structure and design start coming together - including layout, colours, fonts, and imagery.
A lot of research goes into this stage. Choosing colours and typography isn’t just about picking something that looks nice. It involves thinking about:
brand personality
readability
accessibility and contrast
consistency across the website
selecting 2-3 fonts that work well together
Even something like a font choice often involves research to make sure it fits the brand and works well online.
5. The Second Draft and Feedback
After reviewing the first version, you’ll provide feedback and we move into the second draft.
This stage is about refining the design and making sure everything feels right.
Clear feedback from clients helps the process move much faster. Projects tend to run most smoothly when clients have a good idea of what they want and communicate their thoughts clearly during this stage.
6. Launch
Once everything is approved, the website is prepared for launch.
This includes final testing, checking responsiveness across devices, setting up basic SEO, connecting your domain, purchasing your hosting plan and setting up a business email, if needed.
Then the website goes live!
Common Misconceptions About Website Design
A few common misconceptions I've heard about hiring a website designer.
“Can’t I just use a no-code builder?”
No-code platforms are great tools, but they still require knowledge to use well.
It’s not as simple as picking a template, changing the colours, and swapping a few images. A good website still requires:
strong layout and structure
user experience thinking
accessibility considerations
SEO knowledge
Even with no-code platforms, design and strategy still matter. Sometimes templates are more limiting than not.
“Design is quick, so it should be cheap”
Design often looks simple from the outside, but a lot of work happens behind the scenes.
Research, planning, layout decisions, testing, and refinement all take time. When you hire a website designer, you’re paying for their experience and expertise, not just the time spent placing elements on a page.
“Stock images will be fine”
Stock images can work well in some cases, but they don’t always tell the story of your business.
One thing I often see is businesses planning to rely entirely on stock photography for their website. While stock libraries are useful, it can be surprisingly difficult to find images that:
match your brand personality
feel authentic to your business
look consistent across the whole website
Often images come from different photographers, with different lighting, styles, and colours. When they’re placed together on a website, the result can feel a bit disjointed.
That’s why, whenever possible, I recommend investing in professional brand photography. Even a small set of custom photos can make a huge difference and instantly make a website feel more personal and credible.
It’s not always essential, but good imagery can elevate a website in a way stock photos often can’t.
What You’re Really Paying For
When you hire a website designer, you’re not just paying for someone to build a few pages.
You’re paying for:
strategy and planning
design research
user experience thinking
SEO knowledge
technical expertise
problem solving
For example, I don’t build websites from pre-made templates. I might take inspiration from them, but every site is built specifically for the client. Templates can sometimes be restrictive unless the project is very simple, like a one-page site.
A good website isn’t just about looking nice — it’s about working effectively for your business. If you're considering professional website design services, you can learn more about what’s included and how the process works.
How Clients Can Help a Website Project Run Smoothly
From my experience, projects run best when clients:
have a clear idea of what they want
provide their content early
communicate all requirements upfront
give timely feedback during the design process
A website project is always collaborative. The best results happen when the designer brings the technical and strategic expertise, and the client brings their knowledge of their own business.
If you're thinking about hiring a website designer....
Understanding the process ahead of time can make the experience much smoother, and lead to a much better final result.
I offer free 30 minute discovery calls without any obligation to sign up to anything. If you just want to discuss whether my services are right for you, or you're unsure of which platform to use and would like some advice, I’m happy to discuss that with you.
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