The right web designer builds you a fast, findable site you fully own; the wrong one leaves you with a slow, locked-down site you can’t control. Knowing what to ask up front is the easiest way to land on the right side of that line.
Look past the pretty pictures
Anyone can make a site look nice in a portfolio screenshot. What matters is whether it loads fast, works on a phone, gets found on Google, and can be read by AI search. Ask to see live sites they’ve built and check those things yourself.
Questions worth asking
- Will my domain be registered in my name, with my access? The answer must be yes.
- Do I own the website and its content outright? You should.
- How do you handle SEO and AI search? Listen for specifics, not buzzwords.
- What happens if I want to leave? A good provider makes that easy.
- Who hosts it, and what’s included? Backups, security and updates should be covered.
Red flags
Vague pricing that balloons later, reluctance to put domain ownership in writing, sites built on heavy page builders that are slow by default, and “you can’t have the login” answers. Any of these should give you pause.
The local advantage
A Bay of Plenty designer who knows Te Puke, Tauranga and the wider region can build genuine local relevance into your site and is a short drive — not a faceless overseas queue — when you need them. At Te Puke Digital we build for Google and AI search, register domains in your name, and back our work with local support. See our work, our expertise, or have a chat.
FAQ
Should I choose local or go cheaper online?
Cheap template factories can work for the simplest needs, but local know-how, ownership and support usually pay off — especially for a business that relies on local customers.
How much should a small-business website cost?
It varies with scope. Focus less on the lowest price and more on value: ownership, speed, findability and support. The cheapest quote is often the most expensive over time.
What should I prepare before getting quotes?
A short brief — what you do, who you serve, what you want visitors to do, and any sites you like. Our guide on writing a website brief walks you through it.
