WEBSITE GUIDE
How to hire a web designer online
Prepare a short brief, inspect relevant work and compare written deliverables. The questions below help you understand what a designer will build, how you will review it and what you will receive at launch.
Write a useful business brief
Describe your services, your customers and the action the website should support. Include the pages or sections you expect, any required form or calculator, and the photographs and text you can supply. Explain what you like about reference sites: readable prices, a clear menu or an easy way to contact the business.
Use the copyable brief in the first website checklist. Share the same requirements with each designer so you can compare their responses. A price for a one-page introduction is a different scope from a site with separate service pages and additional functions.
Inspect relevant work on your phone
Open the example itself. Read the service information, use its navigation and find the contact action. Ask which parts the designer created and whether you are viewing a client project, a design concept or an image of a proposed layout.
ILDARIO's portfolio consists of fictional business concepts. They demonstrate our layouts and features; they are not paid client projects or evidence of sales results. The detailed portfolio pages show desktop and mobile views plus specific functions, so you can inspect what is being offered.
Questions to ask before choosing a designer
On a small screen, scroll the table sideways to read every column.
| Ask | Look for |
|---|---|
| What exactly will you build for this quote? | A named page or section list and clear inclusions and exclusions. |
| Which parts of this portfolio item did you make? | Specific responsibility for design, code, content or features; honest identification of concepts. |
| How will this form or calculator work? | An explanation of the completed behavior and how you will test it. |
| What can I review before development? | A defined design deliverable, feedback point and approval process. |
| What does a revision include? | A clear feedback scope and treatment of new pages or features. |
| When is payment due? | Written milestones tied to the work and review process. |
| What will I receive at launch? | Publishing arrangements, files, domain and hosting access, and any ongoing costs. |
An answer such as 'everything is included' needs a written list. If an example promises strong search positions or sales, ask what evidence supports that claim. Design and technical SEO setup alone do not establish those results.
Compare what the same price actually buys
Put each response beside your brief. Check whether a contact form is included, who supplies the content and whether launch and file handoff are covered. Record anything still unanswered before choosing.
These hypothetical quotes use the same example price. They are an exercise in comparing written scope, not offers from real providers.
On a small screen, scroll the table sideways to read every column.
| Scope item | Quote A: $299 | Quote B: $299 |
|---|---|---|
| Pages | One page with six agreed sections | One page; section count still to confirm |
| Contact form | Delivery to the chosen inbox and a receipt test | Form design; delivery and testing still to confirm |
| Content | Text and photo responsibilities assigned | No content responsibilities stated |
| Launch | Publishing, domain connection and file handoff stated | Ask which launch and handoff steps are included |
| Ongoing costs | Domain and hosting quoted separately | Ask who pays recurring fees and when |
Separate the build fee from domain, hosting, care and paid providers. If care includes hosting for a period, count hosting once for that period. The website cost guide includes an expense worksheet and ILDARIO's current package and payment terms.
Agree on design and working reviews
- Brief: confirm the content, features, price and responsibilities.
- Design review: inspect the proposed layout and collect your feedback before approving the direction.
- Working review: open the built pages on a phone and check the agreed functions and contact paths.
- Approval and payment: follow the written milestones after reviewing corrections.
- Launch and handoff: confirm publishing, files, account access and renewal information.
ILDARIO prepares three design mockups after discussing your requirements, then builds the approved direction. Other designers may use a different process. Ask what happens if you request changes and when a new requirement changes the price.
Name the page or feature in your feedback. A comment such as 'the menu prices are too small on my phone' tells the designer what needs attention.
Confirm access and the next period
Confirm who controls the domain and hosting, which files or access you receive, and how future updates will be agreed. Keep the final scope and renewal information with your business records. ILDARIO's optional $99 care package includes six months of care and hosting, paid once with no automatic renewal; domain costs are separate.
When you are ready to discuss your own site, leave your contact details. We can work through the pages, contact action and features before agreeing on the scope.
More help with planning your website
Explore the design concepts
Independent examples for fictional businesses. They demonstrate layout and features, rather than client results.
Website services for your business
Tell me what you are starting.
Share your business, the information you want to show and how customers should reach you. We will agree on the scope and a fixed price before work begins.
Discuss your website