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Who can build me a website? How to choose the right web designer

If you have typed “who can build me a website for my business” into Google, you have probably found a hundred agencies, a thousand freelancers and a lot of jargon. Here is a plain-English way to choose, from the questions to ask to the red flags to avoid.

By Jackson Mills, co-founder · 6 November 2026 · 6 min read

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Your options, in one paragraph each

A freelancer

One person, often good value, and you deal with them directly. Quality varies enormously, and holidays or illness can stall your project. Look for someone with a portfolio of sites you would be proud of.

A small studio

Two to ten people with design and technical skills covered, still small enough that you talk to the people doing the work. Usually the sweet spot for small businesses. This is what we are.

An agency

Strategy, project managers, bigger teams and bigger invoices. Worth it for complex projects and larger budgets. Often more than a small business needs.

A marketplace (Fiverr, Upwork, PeoplePerHour)

Good for small, clearly defined jobs. Harder for a whole website, where the brief is fuzzy and communication matters.

Ten questions to ask before you hire anyone

  1. Can I see three sites you built that are live right now? (Open them on your phone.)
  2. Is the price fixed, and what exactly does it include?
  3. How many rounds of changes are included?
  4. Who writes the words and supplies the photos?
  5. Will the domain, hosting and site be in my name?
  6. Can I make simple edits myself after launch?
  7. What are the ongoing costs, monthly and yearly?
  8. What do you do for SEO as standard?
  9. How long will it take, and what do you need from me?
  10. What happens if I want to leave you later?

Red flags

  • The designer registers the domain in their own name. Always insist it is yours.
  • Long minimum contracts for hosting or "maintenance" you cannot cancel.
  • No live examples, or examples that are slow or broken on a phone.
  • Guaranteed first place on Google. Nobody can promise that honestly.
  • Vague quotes with no list of pages or features.

How we answer those questions

Fixed fee, in writing, before we start. Feedback rounds built in. Your domain and your site, in your name. Simple edits you can make yourself. Optional care plans from £59 a month, cancel any time. SEO basics on every build. A small site in about two weeks. And if you ever want to leave, you take everything with you. See our work, or read what a website should cost.

Questions people ask us

Who can build me a website for my business?

A freelancer, a small studio or an agency. For most small businesses a small studio or an experienced freelancer offers the best balance of quality, attention and price. Always check live examples and get a fixed, written quote.

Should my web designer be local?

It is not essential, since most projects run perfectly well over video calls, but a local designer understands your area and can meet in person. We are based in Greater Manchester and work UK-wide.