There is nothing better than looking to expand your presence to the world wide web, and getting a website, when done correctly, can increase reach to new customers or attention on your business/brand. But just like opening up a concrete business, a digital one needs planning and designing.

Those looking to do it properly will seek a professional web designer who will help create the vision you want for your website. So here you are; you have your domain name, have picked Squarespace to host your website, and now all you need is the right web designer eager to help create your vision. 

Hiring a professional designer can be expensive and time-consuming. Hence, it pays to do your research beforehand, and I hope to help you with the important question you can ask before hiring that website designer.

What Is Their Background & Squarespace Experience?

Knowing their experience and how long they have been designing is a great start when recruiting a website designer. Some web designers will have years of experience that spreads across more than just one content management system like Squarespace, Wix, Shopify, etc. 

Experience is critical when working with any platform, but knowing how much they have used Squarespace will be necessary also as you are looking for guidance as much as a strong-looking website. 

Asking the designer specific questions about the Squarespace platform will help them know how confident they are using it. This could include asking how they structure content, design pages, manage settings, or any other technical aspect of the platform. 

Regarding general background in web design, ask for examples of past websites they have built. This benefits both sides by indicating the potential and whether they can meet your expectations. If they have been doing it for some time, they should be able to provide you with a web design portfolio or share links to recent websites they have built.

Understanding what is their process?

What is your process? This question is essential because it helps ensure that both parties agree regarding the project. A good web designer should have an established process for website design that outlines how they will approach the project and what steps they will take to complete it.

By asking this question, you will gain insight into their working style, the level of communication they prefer with clients, and how they handle revisions or changes to the website design. It also allows you to discuss your expectations upfront so that both parties understand clearly.

The process of website building is complex, and having a clear understanding of the designer's approach before you hire them will help ensure that your website project is successful. 

How long will it take to complete the project?

Answering the question of how long it will take to complete a project depends on several factors, such as the level of complexity and scope of the website. 

Hopefully, you have already asked the question about their process, as this will be a chance to get an idea of how long it will take to complete the project.

Each designer is different, a Squarespace website design project can vary depending on size and complexity. A basic website design can usually be completed within a few weeks, while a more complex website may take several months.

It's also important to factor in the time for revisions and feedback from the potential client. The designer should estimate how long it will take to complete the project based on their experience with similar projects. 

Will There Be Ongoing Support After The Launch?

Depending on your ability to manage your Squarespace website will determine if you will be looking for ongoing support after the website goes live.

A good website designer will be more than happy to offer support in the first month of launch to ensure the transition goes smoothly while also being able to provide ongoing support and maintenance for your website if requested. 

Types of support include making design updates or improvements, troubleshooting technical issues, and providing security checks. Hiring your website designer to provide ongoing support could be the best choice, and peace of mind knowing that your website is in good hands after it has launched, but it would still come down to preference. 

Are There Any Additional Costs Associated With Using Squarespace

Additional costs associated with building a website can come about, as even though there are rarely any plug-ins or subscriptions needed, it is not to say a designer doesn't use them or need to charge more for services like SEO optimization or customization of the template. 

You should ask them if they were planning on using any additional software that would increase the project's cost. An example of this could be Elfsight widgets, designs that a designer can insert into a website without the complication of coding. 

It is also important because you must manage the subscription once the job is complete and the site is transferred to your name. Also, additional costs can be reasonable when creating your website, no one wants to have any surprises down the road when they get their invoice.

Remember to ask the designer about any additional fees they may have, and ensure you are on the same page about what will be included in the project. 

Can You Create Mobile-Friendly Websites?

In today's digital landscape, having a mobile-friendly website is essential for businesses to stay competitive. While this, in today's set up a non-brainer, ask any website designer you are considering if they have experience creating mobile-friendly websites.

Squarespace works on desktop and mobile-friendly, so a good website designer with experience will understand the best practices for ensuring a good user experience on these devices. 

Asking this question will help you find an experienced designer who can create a website that looks and functions great on all devices.

What Are Their Payment Methods?

Finding out what payment method your website designer is not something you would forget to ask, but it is best to consider asking before discussing other elements of the job. 

Some designers may require full payment upfront, while others offer partial or flexible payment plans. It is also a good idea to ask about any additional fees such as taxes, credit card processing fees, or other miscellaneous costs that may be charged.

By understanding the payment terms upfront, you can ensure no surprises when paying for your website design project. 

Can You Build A Custom Website?

With any website design, they may be a specific design requirement or functionality that the standard templates can't meet. As you discuss your vision with your designer, they can give you a better understanding of what can be done to meet those expectations. 

Most web designers are familiar with coding and programming languages, which they can use to customize the look and feel of the website platform. Building a custom site takes time and may incur additional costs, so remember to ask about any additional fees associated with custom development. 

Understand also that there may be limits or compromises when dealing with custom builds. Squarespace is great at allowing a designer to customize, but this can make the site more complicated as it goes away from the original design, which could lead to you needing support down the road. Knowing what to expect upfront will help ensure your project stays on track and within budget.

Can You Design A Website With Minimal Supervision?

When working with a professional website designer, there will be the first initial consultation where the designer and you can discuss the direction of the website. 

Some designers may be available to work on your website full-time, while others may only be able to work on it part-time. Depending on your own ability to visualize and set out your own ideas, in most cases, a designer will keep you in the loop but would not need to be supervised. 

You can ask your potential designer if they can work with minimal supervision or prefer a more collaborative approach. Knowing this can help ensure everyone involved has realistic expectations of the project timeline and deliverables. Communication is key, so understanding both parties' availability and communication preferences is important to inquire how often the designer communicates updates and progress reports.

Who Is Responsible For Writing The Website?

Depending on the scope of work, some designers prefer to write their copy or collaborate with a professional copywriter or editor. This could be down to the fact they may be looking to improve content quality for search engine optimization (SEO), which depending on your scope a critical factor in why you are getting a website built. 

So before starting the project, ask your designer, as this at some stage down the road, to be vital and why it is important to know who will be responsible for creating and editing all of the content displayed on the website.

Additionally, inquire about any restrictions or limitations that may apply to content creation and editing. Understanding these rules ahead of time can help keep your project on track and ensure that all involved parties can work together as efficiently as possible.

Other Questions To Ask Your Potential Website Designer.

Here are some other questions to ask when hiring your potential web designer -

1. What is your process for creating a website?

2. How long do you typically take to design?

3. Do you offer any post-development support or maintenance services?

4. Are there any additional fees associated with the project?

5. Can I see progress reports or milestones during the design process?

Things To Remember Before Hiring A Web Designer

1. Set a budget: It pays to know your budget for the website design work before hiring someone. This will help you narrow your options and ensure you don't overspend.

2. Research their portfolio: Make sure you take the time to look at the designer's past projects before committing to them. Ask to see examples of work they have done. Doing this will help you determine if their style and approach match yours.

3. Understand the process: The web design project can be complex, especially for unfamiliar ones. Ensure you understand all the steps in designing a website before hiring a designer.

4. Get references: Ask the designer for references from past clients and contact them to get an idea of their experience working with the designer. This will help you make sure that they're reliable and trustworthy.

5. Discuss timeline: Make sure you discuss timelines with the designer so everything is clear about when the project will be completed. This will help you stay on track and meet your website launch goals.

Conclusion

After considering the above questions, remember that hiring the right website designer can seem complicated. But at the end of the day, take your time to research, ask the right questions and find someone who meets both your design requirements and budget.

Creating a website could span weeks or months, so being confident and on the same page with your designer will make the experience enjoyable. Once you have found the perfect designer, it is time to bring your website vision to life! 

Good luck!