How to Hire a Website Designer (Without Wasting Thousands of Dollars)
- Jenn Lamb
- Jul 26
- 4 min read
Updated: Jul 27
What every small business owner should know before hiring someone to build their website.
Hiring a website designer is one of the biggest investments most small business owners make. The right designer can help your business grow for years. The wrong one can leave you with an expensive website that never generates a single lead.
Some create beautiful websites.
Very few create websites that actually help your business grow.
And that's the difference.
A website isn't just something you check off your to-do list because someone told you your business needed one. It's one of the hardest-working employees your business will ever have.
It's available 24/7.
It never takes a vacation.
It never calls in sick.
When it's built correctly, it attracts new leads, builds trust, answers questions, captures email addresses, books appointments, sells products, and follows up with people automatically.
A pretty website can't do that.
A strategic website can.
What to Look for When Hiring a Website Designer
Don't Hire Someone Just Because Their Portfolio Looks Pretty
This is probably the biggest mistake I see.
People hire a designer because their websites look amazing.
But here's the question almost nobody asks...
Do those websites actually convert visitors into customers?
A beautiful website that doesn't generate leads is just expensive artwork.
When I work with clients, I'm not thinking about colors and fonts first.
I'm thinking about:
Where is traffic coming from?
What questions does the visitor have?
What objections do they need answered?
What's the next step you want them to take?
How do we capture their information if they're not ready to buy today?
What happens after they submit the form?
That's strategy.
Your Website Should Be Connected to Everything Else
Your website should never live on an island.
It should connect seamlessly with your business systems.
That might include:
Email marketing
Lead magnets
Appointment scheduling
CRM systems
Payment processing
Automated email sequences
Online courses
Digital downloads
Memberships
Client onboarding
Because here's the truth...
Most businesses don't have a website problem.
They have a systems problem.
The website is just where people notice it first.
SEO Matters More Than Ever
I hear people say all the time...
"SEO is dead."
It isn't.
Bad SEO is dead.
Stuffing keywords into every sentence doesn't work anymore.
Writing helpful content that answers real questions absolutely does.
Your website should be built so Google understands:
Who you help
What you offer
Where you're located (if applicable)
Why you're different
Which keywords each page is targeting
That's why every page I build includes intentional page structure, optimized headings, metadata, image alt text, internal links, and content written for real humans first.
Because ranking higher isn't about tricking Google.
It's about creating the best answer.
Think Beyond Launch Day
One thing I always tell my clients...
Launching your website isn't the finish line.
It's the starting line.
After your site goes live, you should continue adding:
Blog posts
Testimonials
FAQs
Case studies
Portfolio pieces
New service pages
Fresh, helpful content tells Google your business is active while giving potential clients more reasons to trust you.
That's exactly why blogging is one of the smartest long-term investments you can make.
The Cheapest Website Usually Costs the Most
I know budgets matter.
But hiring someone because they're the least expensive often becomes the most expensive decision.
I've rebuilt countless websites that someone paid for once...
...only to pay again a year later because:
They couldn't edit it.
It wasn't mobile-friendly.
It wasn't optimized for Google.
Nothing was connected.
Forms didn't work.
It wasn't generating leads.
Sometimes doing it right the first time really is the least expensive option.
You Deserve More Than a Pretty Website
Your business deserves:
A website that reflects how good you actually are.
A strategy that brings in leads.
Systems that save you hours every week.
Automation that follows up while you're sleeping.
A customer journey that actually converts.
That's what I build.
Not just websites.
Strategic online systems that help your business grow.
Frequently Asked Questions: How to Hire a Website Designer
How much does hiring a website designer cost?
It depends on what your business actually needs. A simple brochure website costs far less than a site with email marketing, automations, scheduling, memberships, or e-commerce. Instead of shopping for the lowest price, focus on the value and return on investment.
How long does it take to build a website?
Most custom websites take anywhere from 1-3 weeks depending on the size of the project, how quickly content is provided, and whether additional automations or integrations are included.
Can you help with more than just website design?
Absolutely! I help clients with SEO, email marketing, lead magnets, backend automations, appointment scheduling, online payments, sales funnels, customer journeys, and connecting all of the systems that make a business run smoothly.
Will I be able to update my own website?
Yes! I build websites that are easy for business owners to manage. And if you'd rather not touch it, I also offer ongoing website maintenance and support.
Is blogging really worth it for SEO?
Yes. High-quality blog posts help your website rank for more keywords, answer your customers' questions, build authority, and bring in traffic long after they're published. Blogging is one of the best long-term marketing strategies for service-based businesses.
Ready for a Website That Actually Works?
If your website feels pieced together, isn't generating leads, or simply doesn't reflect how good your business really is, let's change that.
I offer a FREE, no-pressure strategy call where we'll look at your current website, identify opportunities for improvement, and talk through what would make the biggest impact for your business.
Book your FREE consultation today, and let's build a website that doesn't just look beautiful; it helps your business grow.
When hiring a website designer, don't just compare prices. Compare strategy, communication, SEO knowledge, and whether they understand how to build a website that actually converts visitors into customers.
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