/ Web design
How do I choose the right web designer?
Look at their live work (not portfolios), talk to their existing clients, check they understand SEO and conversion — not just aesthetics.
/ 01
The short version
Choosing a web designer is one of the higher-stakes decisions a small business makes. The wrong choice wastes £3k–£15k and puts you 6–12 months behind competitors.
/ 02
What to actually check
- • Live sites (2 years old+) — do they still look and load well?
- • Referrals — call 2 past clients and ask what they'd change
- • Google reviews and Clutch profile
- • Do they understand SEO, or just design?
- • Do they hand over ownership of domain, hosting, code?
- • Payment terms — 50/50 or 33/33/33 is normal. 100% upfront is a red flag
/ 03
Red flags
They quote before understanding your business. They only show homepages, not full site tours. They use stock photography of themselves. They lock you into hosting or a monthly retainer to keep the site running. They can't explain how they'll measure success.
/ 04
Green flags
They ask about your customers before they mention design. They quote in ranges based on scope. They send an actual proposal, not a template. They can name specific competitors of yours. They have opinions and push back on bad ideas.
/ 05
Where RIOT fits in
We're a small Colchester studio helping UK SMBs get your web design decision right without agency waste or freelancer flake. If you've read this far and you want a second opinion on your specific setup, book a 20-minute call and we'll tell you honestly whether it's worth doing anything at all.
We work with clients across Essex, Suffolk, London and the wider UK — and remotely with brands abroad. No lock-in, no monthly retainer minimums, no pretending your problem is bigger than it is.
/ FAQs
Common questions
Should I hire local or remote?
Local is fine for the workshop and relationship. Remote is fine if they're demonstrably good. Don't pick on proximity alone.
What if they go bust mid-project?
Insist on staged payments tied to milestones and get all files handed over at each stage.
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Still not sure?
Book a free 20-minute call — we'll answer your specific version of this question with no sales pitch.
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