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Hiring a Web Designer in Sarasota: 10 Questions to Ask Before You Sign

Sarasota has no shortage of people who build websites. The hard part is telling them apart before you sign. These are the ten questions I would want a business owner to ask me, and to ask everyone else they talk to.

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The short answer

Before you hire a web designer in Sarasota, get written answers to ten questions: what is in scope, the total cost, who owns the domain and files, where it is hosted, how it is backed up, who maintains it, how it will show up on Google, how fast it loads on a phone, what happens after launch, and how you leave.

By Aaron Norris, Sirrona Media ·

1. What exactly is in scope?

Number of pages, who writes the words, who supplies photos, and how many rounds of changes. A one-line quote that says "website" is a future argument.

2. What is the total cost, all in?

Ask about hosting, domain, plugins or apps, stock photos, and monthly fees. Here is what websites really cost, including the parts nobody quotes.

3. Who owns the domain, the site, and the files?

You should. Seven things to get in writing.

4. Where will it be hosted?

A cheap shared plan, the designer's own server, or a platform like Squarespace. Each is a valid choice with different tradeoffs. The point is that you know which one you are getting.

5. How is it backed up, and where?

This one matters more in Florida. Hurricane season runs June 1 to November 30. Your site and its backups should live with a hosting company in a data center, with copies stored somewhere separate, not on a computer in your shop. Ask how often backups run and how fast they can restore one.

6. Who keeps it updated after launch?

Sites need updates, security patches, and the occasional fix. Find out who does that, how often, and what it costs. "Nobody" is an answer too. Just know it.

7. How will it show up on Google?

Ask what they do for search: page titles, structure, speed, and your Google Business Profile. For a Sarasota business, ask how they handle the areas you serve, like Lakewood Ranch, Bradenton, Venice, or Siesta Key, without stuffing town names into every page.

8. How fast will it load on a phone?

Most of your visitors are on a phone. Ask them to run one of their recent sites through Google PageSpeed Insights while you watch.

9. What happens after launch?

Training, a handoff document, and a way to reach them. If you will edit the site yourself, ask for a short walkthrough on your own site, not a generic video.

10. How do I leave if I need to?

What you get, in what format, how fast, and at what cost. A designer who has a clear answer is usually one you will not need to leave.

Local or not?

You do not have to hire someone down the street, but you should be able to meet them, reach them, and get straight answers. I work with businesses in Sarasota and Greenville, SC, and meet in person when a project calls for it. Here is how I work with Sarasota businesses.

Common questions

Do I need a web designer who is based in Sarasota?

Not necessarily. You need someone you can meet, reach, and get straight answers from. Local knowledge helps with Google visibility in your service areas.

How long does a small business website take?

Most small business sites take a few weeks to a couple of months. The biggest factor is usually how quickly content and decisions come in.

Should my website backups be stored separately?

Yes. Ask for backups stored separately from the live site, especially in Florida during hurricane season, which runs June 1 to November 30.

Not sure what you have or what you need? Tell me what you are trying to do and I will give you a straight answer, not a sales pitch.

See what I do Call or text (864) 326-5639

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