Choosing a web designer starts with a practical question: what does your business need the website to do? For an Olympia service business, that might be explaining a service and generating an inquiry. For a shop, it might be helping people check opening hours or browse products before visiting.
Write a short brief before asking for quotes
List your services, the areas you actually serve, and the action you want a visitor to take. Gather your logo, photos you have permission to use, and existing domain details. Note what you can supply yourself and where you need help.
For example, a contractor serving Olympia and Lacey could start with service information, genuine project photos, a service area, and a quote form. A booking system is a separate requirement worth discussing early.
Compare what each proposal includes
- Pages and content: who writes the text, selects images, and enters the information?
- Design and revisions: what will you review before the build is complete?
- Features: are forms, bookings, payments, or integrations included?
- Ongoing costs: what will hosting, software, and support cost?
- Access and ownership: who controls the domain and accounts, and what can you take with you if you change providers?
Check usability and search basics
Try a sample site on your phone. Can you read the text, navigate with ease, and complete the main task? Ask how the designer checks performance and accessibility, handles page titles, and verifies that important pages are accessible to search engines.
A template is not automatically a bad choice, and custom code is not automatically better. Compare the actual build, how well it meets your needs, and how it will be maintained. Likewise, a high speed score does not guarantee a search position. Google explains how performance fits into its broader page experience guidance.
Assess the work in context
Ask what the designer personally contributed to each example. An older project, a personal site, or a clearly labeled concept can help demonstrate skills. Recent client references are useful when available, but a lack of them is a reason to discuss the process and scope carefully, not proof that the designer cannot do good work.
Plan a useful first conversation
Bring your brief, budget range, and desired launch date. Ask how feedback works and what happens if the scope changes. You should leave knowing what the next step is.
If you would like to discuss your project with Kyle, see South Bay Webs' custom web design services in Olympia, then get in touch when you are ready.
Planning a website for your business?
Work directly with Kyle to discuss your pages, design, and the features your site needs. Start with the service overview, then get in touch to talk about your project.
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