What to Look for When Hiring a Web Designer in Brisbane

Brisbane has hundreds of web designers and agencies, ranging from teenagers with a laptop to 30-person studios charging agency rates. Finding the right one for a small or medium business isn't just about price — it's about finding someone who will actually deliver what they promise and produce something that works for your business.

Here's what to look for — and what to watch out for.

See their actual work

Ask to see live examples of websites they've built — not mockups, not screenshots, not a PDF portfolio. Go to the actual live URLs, visit them on your phone, and form your own opinion. Is the design quality good? Does it load fast? Does it look like real, custom work or a template with the client's logo on it?

A web designer without live examples either has nothing worth showing or hasn't actually launched anything real. Both are red flags.

Ask who will actually build it

Many Brisbane agencies sell you on the strength of a senior designer's portfolio and then hand your project to a junior or offshore developer. Ask directly: who builds the site? Will I be communicating with that person? A good small operator will say yes — it's me. A large agency often can't say that honestly.

Get a fixed price in writing before you start

"Starting from" is not a price. Get a written quote that specifies exactly what is and isn't included — number of pages, number of revision rounds, what happens after launch, whether SEO setup is included, who manages hosting. Scope creep is the most common way a cheap website quote turns into an expensive invoice.

Ask about code ownership

You should own the code outright when the project is complete. Ask specifically: "Will I receive all the source files and can I host the site anywhere I choose?" If the answer involves platform lock-in, monthly licensing fees, or them retaining ownership of the code, walk away.

Check their SEO knowledge

A website that no one can find in Google is a liability, not an asset. Ask your designer about: meta titles and descriptions, structured data (schema markup), sitemap generation, and mobile performance. If they look blank, they're not building sites that rank. SEO should be built in from day one, not added as an optional extra.

Red flags to watch for

• No live portfolio or examples — no evidence of real delivered work.
• "Unlimited revisions" — this is usually meaningless or has hidden conditions.
• Pressure to decide quickly or lock in before you've seen a quote — a sign of a sales-focused operation.
• Vague timelines — "2–3 months" for a small business site is too long and suggests poor processes.
• They immediately recommend WordPress for everything — a sign they're not thinking about your specific needs.
• No mention of SEO — a site that doesn't consider search visibility is incomplete.

Questions to ask before signing anything

• Can I see live examples of websites you've built for similar businesses?
• Who will actually be building my site?
• What exactly is included in the quoted price?
• Will I own the code outright?
• What's your process for SEO setup?
• What happens after launch — is support included?
• What is the hosting situation and what are the ongoing costs?

A good web designer will answer every one of these questions directly and confidently. If you get vague answers, hesitation, or deflection, keep looking.