Search for a web designer in Hereford or Mid Wales and you'll find agencies, freelancers, DIY builders and people who'll do it for a friend's price. They can all build a website. The difference is whether it brings you customers, and whether you're left stuck when something needs changing.

Here's how to tell the difference before you sign anything. It's the same advice I'd give a friend, even if they didn't choose me.

1. Start with what you need, not who's cheapest

Before you look at anyone, write down what the website is for. More enquiries? Online sales? Fewer phone calls asking the same questions? A designer who asks you about this in the first conversation is thinking about your business. One who jumps straight to colours and templates probably isn't.

It also helps to have a rough budget in mind. Most small business websites from a UK freelancer cost between £500 and £4,000, while studios and agencies often start around £3,000. My guide to what a website really costs explains where the money goes.

2. Look at real work, and real results

Google's own guidance on hiring an SEO or web consultant suggests asking to see examples of previous work and success stories. Look at sites they've built for businesses like yours, then check them on your phone:

  • Do the pages load quickly, even on mobile data?
  • Is it obvious what the business does and how to get in touch?
  • Do the photos look real, or are they stock images you've seen elsewhere?
  • Is the site still up, and does it look cared for?

3. Ask how they'll measure success

Google also suggests asking what results to expect, in what timeframe, and how success will be measured. A good answer talks about enquiries, bookings or sales, and how you'll see them, for example through Google Search Console or simple analytics. "It'll look amazing" isn't a measure of success.

4. Watch for the red flags

Google's advice is refreshingly direct. It says:

  • No one can guarantee a #1 ranking on Google. Anyone who promises it isn't being straight with you.
  • Be wary of anyone who emails you out of the blue offering to fix your website or rankings.
  • Avoid anyone claiming a "special relationship" with Google or offering a "priority submit".
  • Be careful if they're secretive or won't clearly explain what they're going to do.

For local businesses there's one more: nobody can pay for a better position on Google Maps. Google says so on its own Business Profile help pages.

5. Make sure you'll own everything

This is the one that causes the most trouble later. Before you agree, check:

  • The domain will be registered in your name or your business's name.
  • You'll have the logins for your hosting, website and Google accounts.
  • You can move the website elsewhere if you ever need to.
  • You'll have the rights to use any photos and words on your site.

6. Check their reviews, and how they reply

Treat a web designer the way your customers treat you. BrightLocal's 2026 Local Consumer Review Survey found 97% of people read online reviews for local businesses, and 74% look for reviews from the last three months. Recent, specific reviews from real local businesses tell you far more than a polished portfolio.

7. Think about after launch

A website isn't finished on launch day. Ask who will update the software, keep backups, renew the domain and help when something breaks. If the answer is "you're on your own", factor in the time or the cost of doing that yourself.

Local or remote?

You don't have to hire someone down the road, but there are advantages. A local designer can meet you at your premises, take photos in person and understands who your customers are and how they search. If you're in Herefordshire or Mid Wales, that local knowledge can make a real difference to how you show up in local search.

Questions to ask any web designer

  1. Can I see websites you've built for businesses like mine?
  2. What results should I expect, and how will we measure them?
  3. What exactly is included in the price, and what costs extra?
  4. Who writes the words and who supplies the photos?
  5. Will the domain and website be in my name?
  6. Will I be able to update the site myself?
  7. What happens after launch, and what does ongoing care cost?

If you'd like to ask me any of these, I'm always happy to have a chat.

Sources