To choose a web designer, look past the portfolio and ask what the site will do for your business. Test that their live sites work, ask who writes the words, get the full cost in writing including hosting and updates, and ask what happens if you're not happy. Pick the one with clear answers.
I'm a web designer in Vaughan, so read this knowing that. I've also reviewed local business websites against a 20-point conversion check, and the mistakes I found show exactly what to ask before you hire anyone, including me.
| Option | Typical cost | Good fit if |
|---|---|---|
| Website builder (do it yourself) | About $170 to $340 a year | You have more time than money |
| Freelancer | $40 to $100 an hour; $1,000 to $5,000+ for a small business site | You want one person doing the work |
| Small agency | $75 to $200 an hour; $3,500 to $20,000+ | You need a team or a bigger build |
| Large agency | $100 to $300+ an hour; $20,000 to $100,000+ | You need a large custom site |
What should you look for in a web designer?
Look for a web designer who asks about your customers and your goals before talking about colours and fonts. A good designer can name the one action your site should get visitors to take, and explain how you'll know it's working after launch.
A nice-looking portfolio is the easy part. Almost every designer has one. What's harder to find is someone who asks, "Where do your customers come from, and what do they need to see before they call you?"
If the first meeting is all about style and none of it is about your business, you'll likely get a site that looks good and doesn't bring in much.
10 questions to ask a web designer before you hire
Ask these 10 questions before you sign anything. The answers tell you what you will get, what it really costs, and whether the designer thinks about your business or only about the look.
- What should this site get visitors to do? You want one clear answer, like book, call or request a quote.
- Can I see three live sites you built? Live sites, not screenshots. Then ask to speak with one of those clients.
- Who writes the words? Copy sells. If you are writing it, ask for help with structure.
- What does it cost after launch? Hosting, domain, updates and paid apps, all in writing.
- Who owns the site, the domain and the logins? The answer should be you.
- How long will it take, and what do you need from me? Delays usually come from missing content, not code.
- Will it work well on a phone? Ask them to show you a past site on their own phone.
- How will we know if it is working? Look for tracking of calls, forms and bookings.
- What search basics are included? Page titles, speed, a sitemap and a Google Business Profile link at minimum.
- What happens if I'm not happy? Get the answer in writing before you pay.
If you want to see how I answer these, my Vaughan web design page walks through the process, and my guarantee is in writing.
Web designer vs web developer: what is the difference?
A web designer plans how a site looks and works for visitors: the layout, the words on the page, the buttons and the flow. A web developer writes the code that makes it run. Many small business sites are built by one person who does both, which is often simpler and cheaper.
For a five-page service site, you rarely need separate people. For an online store with custom features, or a site that connects to other systems, a developer's skills matter more.
Either way, ask which parts they do themselves and which parts they hand off to someone else.
How do you find a good web designer near you?
Start with referrals from other business owners, your local chamber of commerce, and Google reviews. Then look at the live sites each designer has built, not just screenshots, and press every button on them. A designer whose own site is slow or broken will likely build you the same.
Meeting in person is nice but not required. Most of the work happens online. What matters more is that they reply when they say they will, because that's how the whole project will go.
What are the red flags when hiring a web designer?
Walk away from a designer who can't show live work, won't put the price in writing, keeps your domain or logins in their own name, or promises a #1 Google ranking. Each one costs you money or control later.
- No live work. Screenshots can hide a lot.
- No written price. If it isn't written down, it can change.
- They keep your domain or logins. Leaving them later becomes hard and expensive.
- Ranking promises. Nobody controls Google.
- No questions about your customers. They are designing for themselves, not for your buyers.
Not sure your current site even needs replacing? A free website audit shows where it loses visitors, and you keep the results whether you hire me or not.
How do you compare website quotes?
Compare website quotes by what's included, not by the bottom number. Put the quotes side by side and check pages, who writes the words, search setup, tracking, rounds of changes, launch support and costs after launch. The cheapest quote often leaves the most out.
- Number of pages, and which ones get their own design
- Who writes the words, and who supplies photos
- Search basics and Google Business Profile setup
- Tracking for calls, forms and bookings
- How many rounds of changes are included
- Hosting, domain and maintenance costs after launch
- What happens if you are not happy
For typical prices, read how much a website costs in Canada.
What I find when I press every button
When I reviewed 10 Vaughan Chamber of Commerce member homepages in October 2026, 3 had a main quote or booking button, or a form, that did not work. Two still showed leftover placeholder text, like "Your Content Goes Here" and a price range of "$000 - $000".
Nobody tells you your button is broken. Visitors just leave. That is why question 2 matters so much: open a designer's past sites on your phone and press every button. It takes five minutes, and it tells you more than any portfolio.
The full results are in my website checklist.
Common questions
How much does it cost to hire a web designer in Canada?
Canadian freelance web designers charge about $40 to $100 an hour, and small agencies about $75 to $200 an hour, per Idea Marketing's 2026 guide. A small business site usually costs $1,000 to $5,000 or more with a freelancer.
Should I hire a local web designer?
A local designer can meet you in person and may know your market, which helps. It isn't required. Clear communication, live work you can test, and a price in writing matter more.
Should I own my website and domain?
Yes. Your domain, hosting account and website logins should be in your name or your business's name. If a designer won't agree to that, look elsewhere.
What is the difference between a web designer and a web developer?
A designer plans how the site looks and works for visitors. A developer writes the code. Many small business sites are built by one person who does both.
If you're comparing designers, start by knowing what your current site is doing. Get a free website audit and use it to brief whoever you hire, including me.
Read next: Website checklist: 10 conversion checks for small businesses