How to Choose a Web Designer in Ontario: 10 Questions to Ask Before You Hire
Hiring a web designer is one of those decisions Ontario small business owners make maybe once every few years, which means most people go into it without a clear sense of what to ask. That's how businesses end up locked into platforms they don't control, waiting weeks past a promised deadline, or paying a monthly fee for a site they thought they owned outright. A few direct questions before you sign anything can save you from all of that. Here are ten worth asking anyone you're considering.
1. Do I own the domain and hosting once the site is live?
This is the single most important question on the list. Some designers build your site on accounts they control, which means if you ever want to leave or switch providers, you're negotiating for access to your own business. You should own your domain name and hosting outright, in accounts registered to you, from day one.
2. How many rounds of revisions are included?
A good build includes a reasonable, clearly stated number of revision rounds before extra charges kick in. Vague answers here, like "we'll work with you," often turn into surprise invoices once you're a few rounds of feedback in.
3. What's the actual timeline, in writing?
"A few weeks" isn't a timeline. Ask for a real estimate with milestones, what happens if you're slow to send content, and what happens if they are.
4. Is the pricing flat, or will it grow with hourly add-ons?
Hourly billing sounds fair until every phone call and small tweak shows up as a new line item. A flat, upfront price for the whole build tells you exactly what you're paying before you commit to anything.
5. What happens after the site launches?
Some designers disappear the day the site goes live. Others offer ongoing support, whether that's a maintenance retainer or simple availability for updates. Know which one you're getting before launch day, not after.
6. Who owns the content once it's written?
If a designer writes your copy, confirm in writing that it belongs to you. You should be free to edit it, move it, or take it with you to another provider without asking permission.
7. Is there a contract lock-in, or can I leave if it's not working?
Long-term contracts with steep cancellation penalties are a red flag, especially for a service as personal as your business's website. A month-to- month arrangement, or a clear, short-term contract, respects that you might need to change course.
8. Will the site actually be built for mobile and for search?
Ask specifically, not "is it responsive," but how they approach mobile performance and basic on-page SEO. A vague or overly technical non-answer is a sign this hasn't been a real priority for them.
9. Can I see real examples of work for businesses like mine?
A portfolio full of generic mockups is different from real, live sites built for actual small businesses. Ask to see them in the wild, not just screenshots.
10. What exactly is included in the price, in plain language?
Get a straight list: how many pages, whether a contact form is included, whether photos and copy are part of the build, and what would cost extra. If the answer is complicated, that's information too.
The concrete next step
Ask any designer these ten questions before you hire them, including us. Into the Flavor Inc. builds websites for Ontario small businesses for a flat $499 CAD, you own your domain and content from day one, and an optional $149 CAD/month retainer covers ongoing updates if you want them, no long-term lock- in required. Reach out and ask us anything on this list.