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How to Choose a Web Design Service

Find out what to look for when selecting a web design service that fits your small business needs and budget.

There’s no shortage of people offering to build you a website, from big agencies to DIY site builders to a friend’s nephew. Here’s what to look at before you choose.

Portfolio of previous work

Ask to see sites they’ve built, ideally for businesses like yours. Open them on your phone. Are they easy to use? Do they load quickly? Would you call that business? If a designer can’t show you examples, ask for a preview of your own site before you commit.

Client testimonials

What do past clients say about the process, not just the result? Look for comments about communication, sticking to deadlines and help after launch. A brand-new provider may not have many yet, and that’s fine if they’re upfront about it.

A clear pricing structure

You should know exactly what you’ll pay before work begins:

• The setup cost — is it one fee, or hourly with no cap?
• Ongoing costs — hosting, domain renewal, security updates, changes.
• What’s included — how many pages, how many rounds of changes?
• The contract — can you cancel, and what happens to your site if you do?

Be wary of very low monthly prices that lock you into a long contract, or of site builders where you’re expected to do all the work yourself.

Support and maintenance

A website isn’t a one-time job. Hours change, prices go up, you add a new service. Find out who makes those updates, how quickly, and whether it costs extra.

Who owns the site?

This is the question most people forget to ask. Make sure the finished site and your domain name belong to you, and that you can move them if you ever want to.

At Launch Local Now, you get a free preview first, a simple published price, no contract, and full ownership once the setup fee is paid.