There’s no shortage of advice on hiring a web designer. Everyone from your cousin’s roommate to that one guy in your networking group has thoughts. And while some of the advice may be helpful, much is often irrelevant to your specific situation or just flat-out wrong for small business owners.
So, let’s flip the script and talk about some well-meaning advice worth ignoring when choosing a web designer. I’ll share what you should pay attention to instead—from the experience and perspective of an actual web designer.
#6 Piece of Website Advice Worth Ignoring
“Just hire someone cheap to start and upgrade later.”
This advice comes from a place of wanting—or needing—to save money. And there’s absolutely nothing wrong with that (especially if you’re just getting started). But the problem is this advice creates a disconnect between cost and value.
The reality is that cheap almost always ends up costing more in the long run. When you go to a bargain-bin designer with your brand and website, you often end up with something that doesn’t reflect the value of your business, doesn’t convert visitors, and doesn’t grow with you, because it lacks the strategy that will get you the traffic to actually start bringing in the money.
Fast forward six months down the road and you’re frustrated with the results and embarrassed to even share your URL. You find yourself still stuck with the same problem you had before you started. Only now you’ve not just wasted money, but your time.
👉 What to do instead: If you’re not in the space to hire a designer, then hire a copywriter who writes words that actually sell. I recommend anyone that follows the StoryBrand method. Plug those words into a pre-made website template and you have a really solid starter site.
If you are in the position to invest, then choose a designer who is clearly in tune with your business goals—not just how you want the site to look. A well-crafted site should position you with confidence from day one.
#5 Piece of Website Advice Worth Ignoring
“Just look at their portfolio. If you like it, go with them.”
Visuals matter. Obviously. But choosing a web designer based only on their portfolio is like marrying someone after seeing their dating profile. Sure, it looks nice, but do they communicate well? Handle conflict? Actually listen to your needs?
Stunning visuals are just one piece of the puzzle. There’s more to a great web designer than just how they make things look.
👉 What to do instead: Yes, look at a web designer’s past work, but also pay attention to how they talk about their process. Do they ask thoughtful questions? Are they interested in your goals, your audience, your industry? Are they curious about what’s working for you and what’s not? Do they explain the why behind their process? And most importantly: do you feel a sense of report with them?
A strong brand and website isn’t just pretty. It’s strategic.
Want some more help hiring the right designer? Download the free Hire a Designer Prep Kit.
#4 Piece of Website Advice Worth Ignoring
“Make sure they can design, and do SEO, and copy write, and run ads, and….”
Listen. Unicorns are rare for a reason. Expecting one person to be an expert designer, developer, SEO strategist, copywriter, and ads manager is like hiring a barista and being mad they don’t moonlight as a CPA.
Web designers should absolutely understand how all those things work together. But expecting one person to master all those specializations? Well, the best advice I have for you here is: Good luck in your search!
👉 What to do instead: Look for someone who’s honest about their limitations and brings the right people in when needed or who collaborates with experts in those areas.
#3 Piece of Website Advice Worth Ignoring
“You don’t really need a custom site.”
This one depends on your goals and your business, but here’s my hot take: Templates are tools. Not strategy.
A pre-designed template might be a great starting point if you’re short on cash (as mentioned above), testing an idea, or launching something fast. But if you’re ready to be seen as a pro, grow your business, or finally feel like your website reflects you, then a custom site isn’t an extra. It’s part of your brand strategy.
👉 What to do instead: Get clear on what season of business you’re in. Are you starting your business? Stuck on your next move? Shifting and pivoting? Scouting for you partners? When you’re ready for the next level of polish, strategy, and alignment, a custom brand and website will support your business in ways a template just can’t.
#2 Piece of Website Advice Worth Ignoring
“You don’t need a website. Just use a Facebook page.”
I’m not going to say this is the worst advice out there, but without proper context it’s definitely not good advice. Again, this one depends on your business stage and goals. When you’re just starting out, testing an idea or your market, a Facebook page will do the trick. But for a growing business, it should ultimately be a short-term solution. Here’s why:
Relying solely on a Facebook page (or any social platform) is like building your house on rented land. You don’t own the platform or control the algorithm. And your account, content, and followers can disappear or be suspended for no reason at all.
Also? People still use Google. And when they do, they’re looking for a website that makes you look like a clear professional.
👉 What to do instead: Use social media to support your marketing, not replace it. Your website is your digital home base where your brand, offers, and expertise all live together under one roof. It works for you 24/7, even when your posts don’t show in someone’s feed.
#1 Piece of Website Advice Worth Ignoring
“Just do it all yourself, it’s easy.”
This is one of the most common pieces of advice among new business owners. It’s often served with a side of “just use Canva” or “there’s a YouTube tutorial for that.”
And listen, there are tools out that make it possible to DIY your site and do it well. But that doesn’t mean it’s easy. Or fast. (It’s definitely not going to be fast.) What tutorials don’t show you is the hours you’ll spend second-guessing every layout and photo, questioning if your message resonates with your audience, or if you’re site actually leads people to do the thing you want them to do. (Buy. You want them to buy.) And tutorial videos definitely don’t show you the unexpected bugs and glitches you’ll run into and the hours you’ll spend researching solutions or talking to tech support.
Which begs the question: Is that really the best use of your time?
More importantly, design isn’t just about dragging things into a box. It’s about how your brand makes people feel and how your message meets them in the pain and struggle that brought them to you in the first place. That’s tough to DIY without a bit of experience under your belt.
👉 What to do instead: If you’re just starting and have zero budget, DIY might be a short-term stepping stone, where you sacrifice your time for money. But if your time is better spent growing your business, working with clients, or solving the problems you are uniquely and expertly equipped to solve, then outsource. Your future self (and your website visitors) will thank you.
Final Thoughts: Choose a Web Designer Who Feels Like a Partner
Here’s the advice I do stand by: hire someone who’s more than just a part of hands.
A great brand and web designer will ask questions you didn’t think to ask, help you get out of your own head, and make decisions that support both your message and your goals. And best of all? They’ll help you show up with more confidence and more clarity than you had before.
Lindsey Beharry Design Co. works with small business owners who are ready to stop piecing things together and start showing up like they real deal they already are. Ready to stop sifting through advice and elevate your website with a web designer who gets you—strategy, style, and all? Book a free consultation to get started.
