How to Choose a Web Designer in South Africa: 10 Questions to Ask
Hiring a web designer or developer? Ten questions to ask before you pay a deposit — plus the red flags that tell you to walk away.
By the AXIOM team · · 2 min read
There's no shortage of web designers in South Africa — freelancers, small studios and big agencies. Picking the wrong one usually means a late, over-budget website you can't change. These ten questions help you choose with confidence.
10 questions to ask before you hire
- 1. Can I see websites you've built? Ask for live links, and open them on your phone.
- 2. Is the price fixed? A fixed price with a written scope protects you. Hourly billing can run away.
- 3. What exactly is included? Pages, hosting, SSL, a contact form, mobile design, basic SEO.
- 4. When will it be live? Get a delivery date, not "a few weeks".
- 5. Who will I be talking to? The person building it, or a salesperson passing messages along?
- 6. Who owns the website and the domain? It should be you.
- 7. What are the monthly costs? Hosting, maintenance and email, in writing.
- 8. What does a change cost after launch? Small edits shouldn't be a surprise.
- 9. Will it work well on phones and load fast? Ask how they make sure of it.
- 10. What happens if I'm not happy? Ask about revision rounds and the refund policy.
Red flags
- No examples of real, live websites.
- Vague pricing, or "we'll see as we go".
- The domain will be registered in their name.
- Large upfront payment with no written scope or timeline.
- Guaranteed "number one on Google" — nobody can promise that.
- Slow or unclear replies before you've even signed.
Freelancer, studio or agency?
Freelancers can be affordable but vary widely, and you depend on one person. Large agencies bring process and people, at a much higher price. Small studios sit in between: fixed processes and more than one person, without the overhead. See typical prices in what a website costs in South Africa.
How we answer these questions
At AXIOM: you'll see real projects, get a fixed price and a written scope, deal directly with the engineers building your site, and get the first version in about seven days. You own the code and the domain, and there's no long-term contract.
Frequently asked questions
What should I ask a web designer before hiring them?
Ask to see live websites they've built, whether the price is fixed, what's included, when it will be live, who owns the website and domain, and what the monthly and change costs are.
Should I hire a freelancer or an agency?
Freelancers are cheaper but vary widely; agencies cost more. A small studio is often the best balance for a small business website.
Can a web designer guarantee first place on Google?
No. Nobody can guarantee rankings. Be wary of anyone who promises it.
