What to ask your web designer before signing a contract

Commissioning a website is an important investment: if you choose the wrong person you risk delays, unexpected extra costs, and a website that doesn't do what you need. Before signing any contract, it is fundamental to ask the right questions about references, timeline, what is included, support, and site ownership.portstbd ↗

This mini guide helps you avoid getting burned and recognize a truly transparent web designer (the one you actually want to work with).

Can I see your portfolio and speak with some clients?

The first thing to check is whether the web designer has already built websites similar to your type of business and to the quality you are looking for.cliquestudios ↗

Always ask for:

• The portfolio with some recent projects.
• If they can provide 1–2 references of satisfied clients you can contact briefly.business ↗

If they can't show you anything concrete or dodge the question about references, it's a red flag.dotcraft ↗

What exactly is included in the quote (and what is not)?

Many issues arise because the client thinks "everything is included", while the web designer considers many things as extras.portstbd ↗

Ask for a clear list of what is included in the price:

• How many pages are included.
• If the design is custom-built or template-based.designpowers ↗
• If texts, images, icons, stock photos are included, or if you must provide them.business ↗
• If basic SEO setup, Google Analytics / Search Console, contact forms, etc. are included.dotcraft ↗

Also ask what is considered out of scope (not included): it's better to clarify this immediately rather than argue later.sprintlaw ↗

Want a clear, transparent quote with all items described in detail? Request a quote with no surprises →

What is the timeline and how does the process work?

A website is not made "tomorrow": every serious professional has a process and realistic timelines.orbitmedia ↗

Ask:

• How long it takes, on average, to deliver a site like yours (e.g., 4, 6, 8 weeks).contra ↗
• What are the phases of the project (brief, graphic draft, development, testing, launch) and what happens in each one.designpowers ↗
• At which moments your feedback will be needed and how much time you have to reply.sprintlaw ↗

The timelines should then be written in the contract, at least as an indication, with dependencies (e.g., "if assets arrive late, timelines will be extended").onesuite ↗

How many revisions are included?

Another delicate point is edits: how many you can ask for before they become an extra task to be paid separately.onesuite ↗

Ask explicitly:

• How many revisions are included for design and copy.sprintlaw ↗
• What is considered a revision (e.g., small tweaks) versus a new request (e.g., changing the entire layout).elementor ↗

A transparent professional explains this point clearly and includes it in the contract to avoid misunderstandings.

Who owns the domain, hosting, and website files?

This is one of the most important points to avoid getting "stuck".

Always ask:

• Will the domain (e.g., yourname.com) be registered in your name?
• Will the hosting service be under your name or the web designer's name?
• At the end of the project, will you have full access (hosting panel, CMS, emails, etc.) and all necessary files?tagdesign ↗

Best practices recommend that the client owns the domain and has full access to the site, while the contract clarifies how backups, migrations, or termination of the relationship are handled.tagdesign ↗

How do support and updates work after going live?

A website does not end on launch day: security updates, small tweaks, and technical support are always needed.orbitmedia ↗

Ask:

• How long is post-launch support included (e.g., 30 days, 3 months).
• If they offer a maintenance plan and what it covers (updates, backups, security, small edits).orbitmedia ↗
• How support is requested (email, ticket, phone) and what **response times** you can expect.cliquestudios ↗

A serious partner does not leave you alone the day after the launch and immediately clarifies the conditions and costs of support.

All my websites include 3 months of post-launch technical support and training sessions. Discover my services →

How are payments, down payments, and extra costs managed?

The financial part must also be clarified thoroughly and in writing.onesuite ↗

Ask:

• What is the total cost, if there are deposits (e.g., 50% upfront, 50% upon delivery), and what payment methods are accepted.webflow ↗
• How extra work is managed: hourly rate? New quote? When does it need to be approved?elementor ↗
• If there are recurring costs (hosting, maintenance, plugin or theme licenses) and what they amount to.sprintlaw ↗

All of this avoids surprises like "I didn't know that...".

What platform will the website be built on and how autonomous will I be?

Knowing what the site will be built on is important to understand how much you can manage it independently.designpowers ↗

Ask:

• Will the site be built on WordPress, another CMS, or a proprietary builder.
• Will you be able to edit texts and images on your own through a simple dashboard?designpowers ↗
• Is basic **training** included to teach you how to use the site (videos, call, guide)?orbitmedia ↗

The goal is to avoid finding yourself with a site that requires opening a paid ticket for every small edit.

How do you ensure the site is fast, responsive, and secure?

A good website is not just "beautiful": it must be fast, work perfectly on smartphones, and be secure.cliquestudios ↗

Ask in simple terms:

• Will the site be responsive (optimized for smartphones and tablets)?business ↗
• How do you handle performance and speed (optimized images, hosting, caching)?dotcraft ↗
• What basic **security** measures are planned (HTTPS, updates, form protection, backups)?elementor ↗

The answers will help you understand if the designer also focuses on the technical side or only on aesthetics.

What happens if something goes wrong?

Nobody likes to ask this, but it is important:

• What happens if the project is delayed?
• What if we decide to stop working together halfway through?
• Are there penalties or specific conditions?

A well-drafted contract also covers these cases: it defines how to manage disputes and what law governs the agreement.onesuite ↗

A designer who answers these questions clearly demonstrates transparency and professionalism.

FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions on Web Design Contracts

Why is it important to define domain and hosting ownership in the contract?

Because if they are registered under the agency or professional's name, you risk losing access to your site or having trouble switching providers later. Ensure the contract explicitly states that you are the sole owner of the domain, hosting, and all website files.

What does "revisions included" mean in a website quote?

Revisions are feedback cycles where you can request tweaks to copy, colors, or images on proposed drafts. It is important to specify the exact number (e.g., 2 or 3 rounds of revisions) to prevent unexpected extra costs.

How can I protect myself if the website delivery gets heavily delayed?

A professional contract should indicate an estimated delivery date and define the responsibilities of both parties (for example, the timeline for sending assets by the client and the designer's response times).

Positioning yourself as a partner, not a "vendor"

Asking these questions is not about "putting the web designer on the spot", but about understanding if they will be a **partner** who works alongside you and explains things in a understandable way.cliquestudios ↗

A truly transparent professional will help you clarify references, times, scope, support, and site ownership themselves, so you know exactly what you are signing before you start.