Hiring a web designer can be daunting, especially if you don’t know what to look out for. As someone with over 15 years of experience building websites in the Washington D.C. area, I want to share some insights on common web design scams and how to avoid them.
Excessive Upfront Payments
If a designer asks for full payment upfront or an excessive deposit over 50% of the total project cost, proceed with caution. Reputable designers typically break up payments over the course of the project, with an initial deposit between 20-50%.
Front-Loaded Payment Schedules
Make sure the payment schedule aligns with the work completed. You shouldn’t be paying 90% of the total cost when only 60% of the work is done. A good rule of thumb is 50% upon design completion, and 50% upon development completion.
Overcharging for Basic Services
If you’re looking for a simple, pre-made theme implemented on WordPress, expect to pay $750-2,000. Anything beyond that is likely custom work. Watch out for unnecessary add-ons like expensive plugins and stock photos.
Unrealistic SEO Promises
No reputable SEO expert will guarantee your content will “go viral” overnight. Judge SEO plans based on whether they will attract more engagement than competitors’ efforts. Consistency is key – sporadic posting won’t cut it.
Keep Control of Your Domain
Your domain should always remain under your ownership and control in your GoDaddy/Namecheap account. This makes switching web designers much simpler down the road.
Vet Designers Thoroughly
When first contacting designers, see if they ask probing questions to understand your goals, needs and vision. Lack of curiosity could signal a cookie-cutter approach. Also ask for references and review portfolios.
Define Clear Deliverables & Communication Cadence
Your contract should clearly state timelines, costs, ownership rights, and expected communication frequency. You should be able to review and provide feedback on designs and content throughout the process.
Staying vigilant by doing your due diligence can help you avoid unfortunate web design situations. Let me know if you have any other questions!