Short answer: Before paying any deposit, ask a prospective web designer: what’s included in the quoted price, what’s excluded, who owns the final files and code, what the revision policy is, what the realistic timeline looks like, what happens after launch (support, hosting, maintenance), and whether you can see examples of similar work they’ve completed. If a designer can’t answer these clearly and in writing, that’s a signal to keep looking before you commit any money.
Choosing a web designer is a bigger decision than it first appears — a mismatched hire doesn’t just waste money, it can waste months of momentum for your business. Here’s what to actually ask before signing anything.
Why This Decision Deserves Real Scrutiny
Unlike many services, a website mistake is expensive to reverse — you’re often locked into a platform, a design direction, or a contractual relationship for months before realising it isn’t working. A short conversation upfront, covering the right questions, prevents most of the expensive mismatches small business owners run into.
The Questions That Actually Matter
1. “What exactly is included in this price?”
Get a written breakdown: number of pages, whether copywriting is included, whether stock photography or custom photography is included, and whether basic SEO setup is part of the package. Vague quotes (“a full website for R8,000”) are where scope disputes come from later.
2. “What’s explicitly NOT included?”
This is arguably more useful than the first question. Ask directly whether hosting, domain registration, ongoing maintenance, extra revision rounds, or specific functionality (bookings, e-commerce) are excluded — and what they’d cost as add-ons.
3. “Who owns the final website and files once it’s paid for?”
Some designers or platforms retain partial ownership, restrict your ability to move hosts, or lock content behind proprietary systems. Confirm in writing that you’ll have full ownership and access once the project is complete and paid for.
4. “How many revision rounds are included, and what happens after that?”
A clear revision policy prevents both sides from feeling shortchanged — either the client expecting unlimited changes, or the designer feeling scope creep is happening unpaid.
5. “What’s a realistic timeline, and what could delay it?”
Ask specifically what from your side could slow the project down (content delays, slow feedback) versus what’s within the designer’s control. This sets honest expectations from day one — see our companion piece on How Much Does a Website Cost in South Africa for how price and timeline typically relate.
6. “What happens after launch?”
Ask directly: is there a support period included? What does ongoing maintenance cost if something breaks or needs updating six months from now? Designers who disappear after launch leave businesses stuck when something inevitably needs a small fix.
7. “Can I see examples of similar work, and can I speak to a past client?”
A portfolio shows design quality; a past client conversation reveals what it’s actually like to work with them — communication style, reliability, how they handle problems.
8. “What platform will this be built on, and why?”
A designer should be able to explain, in plain language, why they’re recommending WordPress, Wix, Squarespace, or something else for your specific situation — not just default to whatever they personally prefer building in. If you want background on this decision yourself before the conversation, see WordPress vs Wix for South African Small Businesses.
Red Flags Worth Taking Seriously
- Reluctance to put scope in writing. Verbal-only agreements are where most disputes originate.
- No examples of similar work. A portfolio of only very different projects (or none at all) makes it hard to judge fit.
- Pressure to pay the full amount upfront. A reasonable deposit (30–50%) is standard; being asked for 100% before any work begins is a risk signal.
- Vague answers about ownership. If a designer hesitates or deflects when asked who owns the final site, treat that as a serious warning sign.
- No mention of what happens after launch. A designer who can’t describe post-launch support hasn’t thought past the deposit.
Applying the Same Principles You’d Use for Any Design Brief
Choosing a designer well pairs naturally with knowing how to brief them well once you’ve hired them — the same clarity that helps you evaluate a designer upfront also helps you get better results from the relationship afterward. See How to Brief a Graphic Designer So You Get What You Actually Want for the follow-on step once you’ve made your choice.
A Simple Pre-Deposit Checklist
- ☐ Written quote with clear inclusions and exclusions
- ☐ Ownership of final files/site confirmed in writing
- ☐ Revision policy explicitly stated
- ☐ Realistic timeline discussed, including what could delay it
- ☐ Post-launch support and costs clarified
- ☐ Portfolio reviewed, ideally with a past client reference
- ☐ Platform choice explained and makes sense for your business
- ☐ Deposit amount reasonable (not 100% upfront)
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s a normal deposit amount for a website project in South Africa? Most designers and studios ask for 30–50% upfront, with the balance due on completion or in agreed milestones — 100% upfront is unusual and worth questioning.
Should I choose the cheapest quote I receive? Not automatically — compare what’s actually included across quotes first, since a cheaper quote missing hosting setup, revisions, or post-launch support may cost more once those gaps surface.
How many designers should I get quotes from before deciding? Two to three is usually enough to compare pricing, communication style, and portfolio fit without dragging the decision out unnecessarily.
Is it a bad sign if a designer can’t show a past client reference? It’s not automatically disqualifying for a newer designer, but it does mean leaning more heavily on portfolio quality and a very clear written agreement to offset that unknown.
What should I do if a designer refuses to put scope in writing? Treat this as a serious warning sign and consider it a reason to look elsewhere — verbal agreements are difficult to enforce if expectations diverge later.
FDM STUDIO CO. 
Leave a comment