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How to choose a website designer: 8 Things Every Business Owner Should Know
Thinking about hiring a website designer? Here's what to look for, what to avoid, and how to find someone who will create a website that truly represents your business.
Choosing the right website designer is an important decision for any business owner. Your website is often the first impression potential customers have of your business, and it plays a huge role in how people perceive your professionalism, credibility, and expertise.
But with so many options available, how do you know who to hire?
You can work with a freelance web designer, hire a large agency, purchase a template, or even create an entire website using artificial intelligence in just a few minutes. And the prices can vary enormously.
I'm a website designer based in Perth, Ontario, and I've spent more than 12 years helping businesses throughout Ottawa, the Ottawa Valley, and beyond build websites that reflect who they are and what makes them unique.
Over the years, I've seen what makes a website successful, and I've also seen what happens when businesses choose the wrong approach.
Here are eight things I think every business owner should consider before hiring a website designer.
1. Don't Choose a Website Designer Based on Price Alone
One of the biggest mistakes I see business owners make is choosing a website designer based solely on price.
I completely understand the temptation. Running a business is expensive, and when someone offers to build you a website for $200, it can sound like a fantastic deal.
But it's important to understand what you're actually getting.
A thoughtfully designed website takes time. Your designer should be learning about your business, understanding your customers, organizing your content, considering how visitors will navigate the website, and creating something that reflects your brand.
When someone promises an entire website for an unbelievably low price, it's worth asking how they're able to offer it.
These days, some inexpensive website design services rely almost entirely on AI to generate websites in minutes. While the results might look impressive at first glance, they can lack the thoughtful strategy, customization, and personality that make a website effective.
The lowest price isn't necessarily the best value.
Instead of comparing website design quotes based on the final number, ask what's included in the process. Are you paying for a customized website and the expertise of an experienced designer, or simply a template with your business name added?
A website is an investment in your business. It's worth understanding what you're investing in.
2. Look Beyond Pretty Websites
Here's something that might surprise you coming from a designer: a beautiful website isn't necessarily a good website.
I've seen plenty of websites that look gorgeous but don't actually communicate anything meaningful about the business.
They have stunning images, trendy fonts, beautiful animations, and carefully coordinated colours. But when you start reading the content, you're left wondering what the business actually does, who it's for, or why you should choose them.
Sometimes the website reflects the designer's personal aesthetic more than the business it's supposed to represent.
And that's a problem.
A good website designer should be able to adapt their creative style to your brand, not force your brand into their preferred style.
When you're reviewing a web designer's portfolio, look for variety.
Do all their websites look essentially the same? Or can you see how each design reflects the personality, industry, and audience of the business?
A contractor's website shouldn't necessarily look like a wellness studio's website. A medical clinic shouldn't feel like an artist's portfolio.
Every business has its own personality, audience, and goals.
Your website should reflect yours.
3. Choose Someone Who Takes the Time to Understand Your Business
This is probably one of the most important things I can share.
When I begin working with a new website design client, I don't start by asking what colours they like or which websites they think look nice.
I start by getting to know them.
I want to know how they started their business. What inspired them? What gets them out of bed in the morning? What are they passionate about?
I ask what makes their business different from others offering similar services. What experience do they bring? How do they approach their work differently? What do their customers appreciate most about working with them?
These conversations are incredibly valuable because they help me uncover the things that make a business genuinely unique.
And often, business owners don't even realize how interesting those things are!
They've been doing what they do for so long that they take their experience, approach, and expertise for granted.
Part of my job is helping them recognize those strengths and communicate them clearly.
I also prefer having these conversations over the phone, on Zoom, or ideally face-to-face. I want to hear how someone talks about their business, understand their personality, and develop a real connection with them.
A questionnaire can collect information, but it can't replace a meaningful conversation.
Your website designer should be genuinely curious about your business.
If someone is ready to start building your website without asking much about who you are, what you do, and who you're trying to reach, I'd consider that a red flag.
4. Make Sure Your Website Feels Authentic and Builds Trust
One of the biggest problems I see with templated and AI-generated websites is that they can feel incredibly generic.
The images are beautiful, but they're obviously stock photos. The writing sounds professional, but it could describe practically any business. The layout is polished, but there's nothing memorable about it.
And sometimes, those generic images can even be misleading.
Imagine visiting a local hair salon's website and seeing gorgeous photographs of a luxury salon in another country, along with models who have absolutely nothing to do with the business.
What happens when you arrive and discover that the actual salon looks completely different?
That disconnect can damage trust.
A Real Example: How Authentic Photography Transformed a Salon Website
I worked with a hair salon that wanted a website reflecting the quality and experience of its business.
Rather than filling the website with generic stock photography of people getting haircuts, we used professional photographs of the actual salon, its stylists, and its space.
As a photographer as well as a website designer, I was able to capture the personalities of the individual team members, the beautiful interior, and the atmosphere that made the salon special.
We also made sure the website clearly explained the services, used the salon's own terminology, and included transparent pricing.
The result was a polished, elevated website that communicated exactly what clients could expect.
Visitors could see who would be doing their hair, what the salon looked like, what services were available, and how much they would cost.
The website didn't just look beautiful. It made the business feel credible, professional, and approachable.
The salon subsequently experienced an increase in bookings.
That's the power of authentic website design.
People want to know who they're doing business with.
Whether you're a contractor in Carleton Place, a wellness practitioner in Smiths Falls, or a professional service provider in Ottawa, real photographs, genuine messaging, and a website that reflects your business can make a tremendous difference.
5. Consider the User Experience, Not Just the Design
A good website should be easy to use.
It sounds obvious, but you'd be surprised how often this gets overlooked.
When someone visits your website, they should be able to quickly understand what you offer, find the information they're looking for, and know what to do next.
This is called user experience, or UX.
It's about designing a website around the needs and behaviours of the people who will actually use it.
For example, if someone visits a medical clinic's website, they might be looking for office hours, appointment information, patient forms, or contact details.
Those things should be easy to find.
If someone visits a contractor's website, they probably want to know what services are offered, which areas the business serves, examples of previous work, and how to request a quote.
They shouldn't have to dig through confusing menus or endless paragraphs to find those answers.
A website designer should consider:
Clear, intuitive navigation
Logical organization of information
Easy-to-find contact information and calls to action
Readability and accessibility
Mobile-friendly design
The needs of your specific customers
A beautiful website that frustrates visitors isn't doing its job.
Good website design is where creativity and functionality meet.
6. Ask About SEO Before Hiring a Website Designer
Search engine optimization, or SEO, is another important consideration when choosing a website designer.
SEO helps search engines like Google understand what your website is about so it has a better chance of appearing when potential customers search for your services.
And it's something that should be considered during the website design process, not simply added as an afterthought.
For example, if you're a landscaping company serving Perth, Smiths Falls, and Carleton Place, your website should clearly communicate the services you offer and the communities you serve.
That doesn't mean repeating the same keywords endlessly. It means creating useful, well-organized content that answers the questions your customers are actually asking.
Your website designer should understand the fundamentals of SEO, including:
Search-friendly page titles and meta descriptions
Relevant keywords and natural website copy
Clear page headings and content structure
Mobile usability
Image optimization
Internal linking and website navigation
Local SEO for businesses serving specific geographic areas
For small businesses in Ottawa, Kingston, Lanark County, and the Ottawa Valley, local search visibility can be especially valuable.
Someone searching for a "website designer in Perth Ontario" or a "web designer near Ottawa" is often looking for a professional they can communicate with directly and potentially meet in person.
Your website should help the right customers find you.
One important warning: be cautious of anyone who guarantees a number-one ranking on Google. SEO is an ongoing process influenced by many factors, and no reputable designer can promise a specific organic ranking.
7. Make Sure You Own and Can Access Your Website
This is one of the most overlooked questions when hiring a website designer, and I think it's incredibly important.
Who actually controls your website once it's finished?
I've encountered business owners who don't know where their website is hosted, who registered their domain name, or how to access their own website.
Some have no ability to make even a simple text change without contacting their designer. Others discover they're locked into proprietary systems or ongoing arrangements they don't fully understand.
Your website is an important piece of business real estate. You should know where it lives and have appropriate access to it.
Before hiring a website designer, ask:
Who will own and manage the domain name?
Where will the website be hosted?
Will I have administrator access?
Can I update text, photographs, or other content myself?
What happens if I want to work with a different designer in the future?
Are there ongoing hosting, maintenance, or software fees?
I design websites using Wix because it allows me to give my clients direct access to their websites and train them to manage things at whatever level they're comfortable with.
Some clients love being able to update their own content. Others prefer to have me manage everything for them.
Both approaches are perfectly fine.
What matters is that they know what they're choosing.
I want my clients to feel empowered, not intimidated by their websites.
Part of my job is demystifying the website design process and making the technology feel accessible.
You shouldn't need a degree in computer science to understand the basics of your own website.
8. Choose a Website Designer You Can Actually Build a Relationship With
This might be my favourite piece of advice.
Choose someone you genuinely enjoy working with.
Website design is a collaborative process. You're going to spend time discussing your business, sharing ideas, reviewing designs, providing feedback, and making decisions together.
You should feel comfortable asking questions, expressing concerns, and sharing your opinions.
I put a lot of effort into making the website design experience positive, collaborative, and even fun.
In fact, by the time many of my projects are finished, I feel like I've become friends with my clients.
That's because we've spent time getting to know each other, talking about their businesses, solving problems, and creating something we're both excited about.
And that relationship doesn't necessarily end when the website launches.
Websites evolve. Businesses grow. Services change. Technology changes.
Sometimes you need to add a page, troubleshoot a problem, update information, or get advice about something you haven't encountered before.
Having a real person you can contact, someone who knows your business and understands your website, is incredibly valuable.
Especially today, when so much of our technology is automated and customer support can feel like sending a message into the void.
There's something reassuring about knowing you have an experienced professional you can call when you need help.
You're not just hiring someone to build a website. You're choosing someone to help support an important part of your business.
What About AI Website Builders? Do You Still Need a Professional Web Designer?
It's a fair question.
AI website builders have become incredibly sophisticated, and they're making it easier than ever for business owners to create websites without technical knowledge.
For a simple personal project, a temporary landing page, or a business with a very limited budget, these tools can be useful.
But there are limitations.
Many AI-generated websites look polished at first glance but lack the depth and individuality that make a business memorable.
The content can be vague and generic. The photography may not reflect the actual business. The layouts can feel repetitive, and making precise design adjustments isn't always straightforward.
In some AI website builders, you're relying on prompts to make changes, which can sometimes alter more of the design than you intended.
More importantly, AI doesn't automatically understand the nuances of your business, your customers, or your personal story.
It can generate a website, but that doesn't mean it's created the right website.
A professional designer brings experience, curiosity, creative judgment, and a human perspective to the process.
They can ask questions you haven't considered, recognize opportunities you might have overlooked, and help you communicate what makes your business different.
For me, that's where the real value of professional website design lies.
Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Website Designer
Before you commit to working with a website designer, here are some questions worth asking:
Can I see examples of websites you've designed for other businesses?
How do you get to know my business before beginning the design?
Will my website be custom-designed to reflect my brand?
Is SEO included in the website design process?
Will the website be optimized for mobile devices?
What's included in the quoted price, and are there additional costs?
Will I own and have administrator access to my website?
Will I be able to make changes myself?
Do you provide training or ongoing support?
Who can I contact if something goes wrong after launch?
You don't need to understand every technical detail, but you should feel confident in the answers.
Finding the Right Website Designer for Your Business
Ultimately, choosing the right website designer comes down to more than price, portfolio, or technical expertise.
Look for someone who takes a genuine interest in your business, asks thoughtful questions, understands the importance of user experience, and can create something that reflects your unique identity.
Your website shouldn't look like everyone else's.
It should tell your story, communicate your strengths, build trust with your customers, and make it easy for people to work with you.
And the experience of creating it should feel collaborative, exciting, and manageable.
Looking for a Website Designer in Perth, Ottawa, or the Ottawa Valley?
I'm Bonnie, the designer and photographer behind Bonnie Joyce Creative Studio, based in Perth, Ontario.
I work with small businesses, entrepreneurs, and organizations throughout Perth, Smiths Falls, Carleton Place, Lanark, Sharbot Lake, Kingston, Ottawa, and the wider Ottawa Valley, as well as clients across Ontario and beyond.
My approach combines thoughtful website design, authentic branding, user experience, SEO, and a genuinely personal process.
I believe the best websites come from taking the time to understand the people and businesses behind them.
Whether you're starting a new business, struggling with an outdated website, or ready for something that better reflects who you are today, I'd love to hear your story.
Explore My Website Design Services or get in touch to talk about your project.
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