How to Choose a Web Designer in Ireland: 10 Questions to Ask Before You Sign

Why the choice matters more than the price

For most small businesses, a website is a once-every-few-years purchase, so very few owners have a feel for what a good web designer looks like. Quotes for what sounds like the same job can range from a few hundred euro to several thousand, and the cheapest one is not always the bad one, nor the most expensive one always the safe one.

The difference usually shows up months later: a site that nobody can edit, a domain registered in someone else's name, or a designer who stops answering emails. Asking the right questions before you sign takes half an hour and avoids most of that.

The 10 questions

1. Can I see sites you built for businesses like mine — and are they still live? A portfolio of mock-ups proves less than three real sites you can open on your phone today. Check they load quickly and look right on mobile.

2. What exactly is included in the price? Ask for a written list: number of pages, who writes the text, photos, contact forms, basic SEO, analytics, cookie consent. "A website" means very different things to different people.

3. What will it cost after launch? Hosting, domain renewal, support, updates and small changes. A cheap build with an expensive monthly fee can cost more over three years than a higher one-off price. If you are unsure what a fair total looks like, our guide to website costs in Ireland breaks it down.

4. Who will own the domain, the site and the content? The answer should be you. The domain should be registered in your name or your company's, with your own login. Our guide to .ie domains and business email explains why this matters so much.

5. Can I edit the text and photos myself? If you want to change opening hours or add a photo without paying for it, make sure the site has an editing panel and that someone will show you how to use it.

6. How will the site be found on Google? At minimum: fast loading, proper page titles, a page per main service, a sitemap submitted to Google, and connection to your Google Business Profile. Vague promises of "SEO included" are worth questioning.

7. How fast will it load on a phone? Ask what mobile PageSpeed score they normally achieve. A professional should answer with a number, not an adjective.

8. What is the timeline, and what do you need from me? Most delays come from content waiting on the client. A good designer gives you a clear list of what to prepare and when.

9. What happens if I am not happy with the design? Find out how many rounds of changes are included and what happens to any deposit if things do not work out.

10. Who do I contact when something breaks, and how quickly will they reply? One named person with a realistic response time beats a generic support address.

Red flags worth taking seriously

• No written quote or scope, only a price over the phone.
• The domain or hosting account will be "managed for you" with no access for you.
• Guaranteed first place on Google. Nobody can honestly promise that.
• Full payment up front for a project that has not started.
• No examples of real, recent work.

What good answers sound like

Good answers are specific and slightly boring: a list of what is included, a price for each extra, a timeline in weeks, a named contact. If a designer is happy to put their answers in writing, that is usually a sign they intend to stand behind them. Compare two or three quotes against the same list of questions and the right choice is often obvious. If you want to see how we answer them, our pricing page sets out what each package includes.

Final thought

You are not just buying a website; you are choosing who you will rely on whenever something needs changing for the next few years. Ask the ten questions, get the answers in writing, and choose the designer whose answers are the clearest — not just the cheapest.