I'm a freelance web designer — 3 years in, mostly simple sites for small businesses: landing pages, WordPress builds, plain HTML/CSS, speed fixes. Rates run $200-$1500 depending on scope.
A friend asked me what to check before hiring someone like me. Honest list:
Who owns the domain and hosting? The big one. Some designers build your site on their account. Leave, and your site goes with them. Own the domain and hosting from day one — your name, your card.
What exactly is included? Get it in writing. Revisions, mobile responsiveness (standard, not an upsell), contact forms, who writes the copy. 'Website' means nothing. '5-page WordPress site, 2 revision rounds, you provide copy' means something.
What happens after launch? Sites break. Plugins update. Ask who fixes it and what it costs. If they say 'don't worry about it,' worry about it.
Can I edit it myself? Changing your hours or swapping a photo shouldn't require a support ticket. A decent build gives you a simple way to handle the basics.
What's the timeline? My simple sites take 1-3 weeks. Delays usually come from content not being ready — ask who's responsible for what.
One red flag either way: a quote with zero questions about your actual business.
I do all of this, so if you've got a project coming up or just want a sanity check on a quote you've received, DM me.
Source: r/u/Mayday0s · by /u/Mayday0s