Questions to Ask a Web Designer Before You Hire (and Before You Pay a Deposit)
Most bad website projects were predictable. The warning signs were there in the first conversation — nobody asked the right questions.
Here are the questions to ask a web designer before you sign anything or send a deposit, what a good answer sounds like, and how we answer each one at Yippley.
The checklist
- Will I own my website — the code, content, and domain?
- Do you need a deposit before I see anything?
- Can I see a preview of my site before I pay?
- Is it custom-built or a template?
- What's the total price, and what's it based on?
- How long until it's live?
- Where is it hosted, and what does that cost monthly?
- What happens when I need changes after launch?
- Can I see work for businesses that aren't like each other?
- What happens if I don't like it?
What a good answer sounds like
1. Will I own my website?
Good answer: "Yes. The site, content, and domain are yours. If you leave, you can take it with you."
Red flag: Vague answers, or a site that only runs on the designer's platform.
Yippley: You own the site.
2. Do you need a deposit before I see anything?
Good answer: A clear explanation of what you're paying for and when — ideally after you've seen real work on your project.
Red flag: A large deposit up front with nothing to look at but a proposal.
Yippley: No deposit. You approve the finished site before you pay.
3. Can I see a preview before I pay?
Good answer: "Yes — here's how and when."
Red flag: "You'll see it after the first payment."
Yippley: You get a free demo first. When we build the real site, you review it before paying anything.
4. Custom-built or a template?
Good answer: A straight answer either way. Templates aren't evil — but you should know which one you're buying and what you're paying for it.
Red flag: "It's custom" when it's a theme with your logo swapped in.
Yippley: Custom-coded, never a template. Not sure which you need? Read custom website vs. template.
5. What's the total price, and what's it based on?
Good answer: A fixed number tied to what the site needs to do.
Red flag: Hourly billing with no cap, or "it depends" without ever landing on a number.
Yippley: Published, fixed prices:
| Plan | Price | What it's for |
|---|---|---|
| Simple Site | $1,500 | Content + contact form, any number of pages |
| Feature / Managed | $4,500 | Adds booking, calendar, small store, logins, admin |
| Business System | from $9,500 | CRM, inventory, billing, integrations, customer portals |
More in how much a custom website costs.
6. How long until it's live?
Good answer: A realistic date, plus what you need to provide to hit it.
Red flag: No timeline, or one that keeps slipping with no explanation.
Yippley: Usually live in under 24 hours once you ask us to build. Larger systems come in stages. See how long a custom website takes.
7. Where is it hosted, and what does that cost monthly?
Good answer: A specific host and a specific monthly number, with what's included.
Red flag: Hosting you discover on your first invoice.
Yippley: Hosting comes through one of our optional monthly plans: Care $149, Growth $349, or Pro $799.
8. What happens when I need changes after launch?
Good answer: A clear process and a clear price per change, or changes included in a plan.
Red flag: "Just email me" with no pricing.
Yippley: Care is $100 per change; Growth includes 2 free changes a month; Pro includes 5.
9. Can I see varied work?
Good answer: Live sites for different kinds of businesses that don't look like the same theme recolored.
Red flag: Ten portfolio pieces that all share one layout.
Yippley: See our Riverton Restorations and Utah Chess Association case studies.
10. What if I don't like it?
Good answer: A clear exit.
Red flag: Your deposit is non-refundable and the work is "90% done."
Yippley: If it's not for you, you owe nothing and it comes down.
FAQ
Do I own my website?
You should. Ask before you sign. At Yippley, you own the site.
Should I pay a deposit?
Many designers ask for one; just know what you're getting for it. With Yippley, there's no deposit — you approve the finished site before you pay.
How long should a build take?
Yippley sites are usually live in under 24 hours once you ask us to build. Details in how long a custom website takes.
Template or custom?
A template can be fine for a simple brochure. Custom wins when the site needs to bring in leads, book jobs, or run your business. Compare in custom website vs. template and Wix vs. custom website.
Related: Website redesign cost · Custom CRM vs. off-the-shelf
Get your free demo → Custom-coded, never a template. Approve it before you pay.