• The ORB Team
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How To Choose A Web Designer In Kent: 10 Questions To Ask

Choosing a web designer in Kent can feel like guesswork. Search for one and you will find freelancers, small studios, large agencies and cheap template builders, all promising roughly the same thing. Prices range from a few hundred pounds to many thousands. So how do you tell who is right for your business?

The answer is to ask good questions before you sign anything. Here are ten we think every business owner should ask, and what a good answer sounds like.

1. Who Will Actually Build My Website?

This is the question people forget to ask. Some agencies sell the project with a senior person, then pass the work to a junior or an overseas team. Others generate most of the site with AI and tidy it up afterwards. Neither is automatically wrong, but you deserve to know. Ask who designs it, who writes the code and who you speak to when you have a question.

2. Can I See Websites You Have Built?

A designer should be happy to show you a portfolio of recent websites. Look at them on your phone, not just a laptop. Do they load quickly? Is the phone number easy to find? Do the sites look different from each other, or does every business get the same layout with a new logo? Variety suggests the designer thinks about each client rather than reusing one template.

3. What Do Other Customers Say?

Read the designer's Google reviews and any customer reviews on their own site. Look for comments about communication, deadlines and help after launch, not only the finished design. A few thoughtful reviews tell you more than a long list of one-word ratings.

4. What Is Included In The Price?

Two quotes for the same job can look very different once you check the detail. Ask for a clear list of what you get. Our guide on how much a small business website costs explains the main factors. When comparing quotes, check for these.

• How many pages are included, and the cost of adding more later.
• Whether copywriting and photos are included or down to you.
• Contact forms, maps, galleries and booking tools.
• Basic SEO setup, such as page titles and Google Search Console.
• How many rounds of changes you get during the build.

A designer with published website prices makes this comparison much easier, because you can see the starting point before you even get in touch.

5. Will I Own My Website And Domain?

This matters more than most people realise. Your domain name should be registered in your name or your business name, not the designer's. Ask whether you can move the website to another host if you part ways, and whether you will get the files and logins. Some platforms lock you in, so if you stop paying, the site disappears. That may be fine for a pay monthly arrangement, but you should know it up front.

6. Is It Built On A Platform I Can Update?

Ask what the site is built with. WordPress is common because owners can edit text, add blog posts and swap photos without paying for every small change. Hand-coded sites can be very fast and secure, but you may rely on the designer for updates. Neither is right for everyone. Think about how often you will want to change things and how comfortable you are doing it yourself.

7. Will It Work Well On Phones And For Everyone?

Every new site should work properly on mobiles and tablets. Ask how the designer tests this. It is also fair to ask about accessibility, such as readable text, good colour contrast and forms that work with a keyboard. The WCAG guidelines from the W3C are the standard most designers work towards, and a good one will be able to talk about them in plain English.

8. What Happens After Launch?

A website is not finished on launch day. Plugins need updating, backups need running and small changes come up all the time. Ask what support is included and what it costs afterwards. Find out how quickly the designer usually responds and whether you get a named person or a ticket system. If you ever need a fix in a hurry, this is the answer that will matter most.

9. How Do You Handle Hosting, Security And Privacy?

Ask where the site will be hosted, whether an SSL certificate is included and how often backups run. If your site collects enquiries or uses tracking cookies, ask how the designer helps with privacy notices and cookie consent. The ICO's guidance for organisations is the place to check your own responsibilities, but your designer should set the site up so those things are easy to get right.

10. Do You Understand My Area And My Customers?

A designer does not need to be on your doorstep, but it helps if they understand the places you serve. A seaside café in Broadstairs has different customers from a commercial electrician covering the Medway towns. Ask the designer which areas across Kent they cover and whether they are happy to meet in person. Local knowledge shows up in the small details, like which towns to mention and what questions customers tend to ask.

Red Flags To Watch For

Most designers are honest and good at what they do. Still, a few warning signs are worth knowing.

• A promise of guaranteed first place on Google. Nobody can promise that.
• No written quote or contract.
• A large upfront payment with no clear timeline.
• Vague answers about who owns the domain and the site.
• Pressure to decide today because of a special offer.

Choosing Your Kent Web Designer

Once you have asked these questions, the right choice is usually clear. Pick the person who explained things simply, answered honestly and seemed interested in your business rather than just the sale. If you would like to ask us the same ten questions, you can read more about our hand-built website builds and get in touch. You will speak to the person who designs and builds the site, and we are happy to answer each one.