Hiring a web designer in Gosford: what to look for

Gosford has plenty of web designers, from big agencies to people working from home. Most can make a site that looks good on launch day. The difference shows up six months later, when you need to change a price, your site is slow on a phone, or something breaks. Here's what to check before you sign.

1. Look at sites they've built, on your phone

Open three or four of their recent sites on your phone, not a laptop. Do they load quickly? Is the text easy to read? Can you find the phone number in a few seconds? That's what your customers will do.

2. Ask who owns the website and the domain

You should own your domain name and be able to take your site with you. Ask it directly, and get the answer in writing.

3. Ask how you'll update it Can you change text, photos and prices yourself?

Is there a simple editor, or do you have to email the designer and wait?

4. Ask about speed

A slow site loses visitors and ranks lower on Google. Ask how fast their sites load on a phone. A good web designer will know the answer.

5. Ask about security and backups

Who installs updates? How often is the site backed up? What happens if it's hacked? Sites that rely on lots of plugins need constant care.

6. Ask what it costs after launch

Hosting, updates, small changes and support all cost something. A cheap build with an expensive monthly fee isn't cheap.

7. Meet them

A local web designer can sit down with you, see how your business works and understand who your customers are. That matters more than a long list of features.

Talk to a local web designer

I design and build websites for businesses in Gosford and across the NSW Central Coast, from Erina and Terrigal to Tuggerah and Wyong. You deal with me from the first sketch to launch day. See my web development service or tell me about your project