How to Hire a Web Designer for Your New Website

Why Hiring the Right Web Designer Matters

A professionally developed website helps to build trust among new customers, brand values and drives possible conversions. This can help to impact your SEO ranking, user experiences (UX) and even your business operations. However, hiring the wrong designer can result in money loss, time and even reputation.

Let’s look into our 10 steps to hire a reliable website designer for your website:

Step 1: Define Your Website Goals

Before you begin your search, you must clarify what your website may need or what you’d like to achieve. You can ask yourself:

Is it an ecommerce website, blog or corporate website?
Who is your target audience?
What functionalities do you need?
Are you building your website from scratch?

By asking these questions, you can establish your vision for your website and set the right expectations to ensure you create the ideal website.

Step 2: Determine the Type of Web Designer You Need

You then need to determine what type of web designer you may need, and there are many different types:

UI designers focus on visuals
UX designers look at user experiences and flows
Full-stack designers offer both design and development skills
Website developers help to build sites using code

Depending on what your website or project needs, you may need more than one of these roles. That’s why it’s essential to determine which one you may need.

Step 3: Decide on a Hiring Model

There are many ways to hire a web designer, so it’s essential to discuss what your hiring model is:

In-house designers

This is the best approach for companies that need ongoing work and want to work with collaborators. This is effective for long-term investments.Based on the scope of delivery expected from the in-house function, the position may require a full-time employee or a part-time one.

Agencies

This is beneficial for solutions including branding, copywriting, SEO and development. It’s important to note that agencies come at a higher cost.

Contingent Workers

Using a contingent workforce can support companies to scale quickly while minimising any overhead. This system works with freelancers, temporary hires and contractors who aren’t in full-time employment. Consider different contingent workforce examples to understand the structuring of short-term or project-based designs

By understanding the different types of hiring models, businesses can ensure they hire the right web designer to enhance their business operations and develop an effective website.

Step 4: Search in the Right Places

Here are some top places to find the right web designer:

Freelance platforms such as Upwork, Freelancer and Fiverr
Portfolio sites
Job boards such as Indeed and LinkedIn
Referrals from your network
Design communities

Step 5: Evaluate Portfolios and Experience

Once you have a few candidates in mind, it’s essential to evaluate their portfolios now and understand their experience. You should look out for:

Design aesthetics that match your board
Usability and functionality with completed projects
Experience in the same industry
Mobile responsiveness and attention to detail

You can also ask questions like:

‘Can you walk me through your design choices on a specific project?’
‘How do you approach user experience?’
‘Have you worked with a similar business?’

By taking these factors and points into consideration, you can find the best web designer who can understand your vision and business branding.

Step 6: Conduct a Thorough Interview

You must look beyond design when looking for the right web designer. Here are some questions you can ask:

Technical: What tools and platforms have you used?
Problem-solving ability: Can you describe to me a time when a project did not go as planned?
Communication skills: How do you manage feedback and criticism?
Collaboration: Have you worked with developers or marketers in the past?

If you’re hiring a contingent worker, it’s essential to clarify how they can integrate with your team.

Step 7: Discuss Timelines, Budget, and Scope

As a business owner, you must be upfront about:

Project deadlines
Budget
Payment schedules
Number of revisions included
Ownership of design files

You must also ensure you get everything in writing by having a detailed contract, so that both you and the designer can ensure expectations are clear from day one of the project.

Step 8: Start With a Small Project or Trial

If you’re uncertain, you can offer a trial or small paid test project, such as designing a landing page or a section of the website. This will allow you to look into the web designers:

Design quality
Communication responsiveness
Adherence to deadlines

This is a great way to assess whether they fit your business and the project before going into a full-scale engagement.

Step 9: Provide Clear Feedback

Once the project starts, your input is essential as it’s your website. Here’s how to discuss and make feedback constructive:

Be specific in your feedback, such as if the CTA button is difficult to see or if they should make the layout different
Stay focused on your goals and the outcome of the website
Don’t micromanage design choices; make sure to trust their design expertise, but don’t be afraid to discuss them too

Designing is a collaborative process, and good communication can lead to better outcomes regarding your website.

Step 10: Final Handover and Launch

When the design process is complete:

Make sure you receive all the original files, such as PSD, Figma or Illustrator
Confirm your ownership rights in writing
Have the designer collaborate with the developer for a smoother handoff
Test the site for any bugs, the speed and responsiveness

If you’re hiring globally, you must also consider labor laws, IP protection and compliance regulations. Using a global workforce solution can ensure you have a smoother process and a secure system.

Conclusion

Having a web designer can sometimes be challenging, as it requires finding the right approach and ensuring you find someone who understands your branding and can create an effective, high-performance website. Whether you’re hiring through flexible models or the traditional route, you must ensure you have effective communication and collaboration during the process.

Navigating global hiring and following compliance regulations to find your next web designer can be effective by following our 10 steps and ensuring you’re communicating well with your team.

Consider our ten steps and look for the right web designer to enhance your website and ensure your business can stand out in 2025.