How to Hire a Web Designer Who Won’t Just Make It Pretty But Make It Work

Rob • August 4, 2025

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How to Hire a Web Designer Who Won’t Just Make It Pretty—But Make It Work

When most people go looking for a web designer, they start in the wrong place: the portfolio.

Don’t get me wrong—beautiful visuals matter. But a slick Dribbble profile doesn’t mean a designer knows how to build a site that actually works for your business.

In a video titled “How to Hire a GREAT Web Designer” by designer Pierluigi Giglio, he nails what so many business owners miss when evaluating designers. Here’s the big takeaway:


The biggest mistake people make when hiring a web designer?
 They focus only on aesthetics, instead of the designer’s ability to understand their business and build something results-driven.

Let’s break that down—and talk about what you should be looking for instead.

1. Look for Strategic Research, Not Just Style

A good designer isn’t just designing for a screen—they’re designing for your customers.

That starts with research. Ask how they get to know your business, your audience, and your competitors. The right designer will ask smart questions and show genuine curiosity about your industry.


Aesthetic portfolios are the tip of the iceberg.
 What matters more is whether a designer understands how your website needs to function to drive results.

2. Ask About Their Design Process

You want someone with a clear, repeatable system—not someone winging it every time.

Ask them to walk you through their process step-by-step. What happens after the discovery call? When do you see the first draft? How are revisions handled?

A solid process means fewer surprises, faster progress, and better outcomes.


3. Don’t Overlook Project Management

You might not care if they use Trello, Asana, or ClickUp—but trust me, it matters.

Design is only half the job. The other half is communication, timelines, and managing expectations. A designer with great project management skills will make the whole experience smoother for you and your team.

Look for someone with clear SOPs and tools in place to keep the project moving forward.


4. Hire a Team Player

Your designer shouldn’t operate in a vacuum.

The best designers know how to collaborate—with your marketing team, your developers, and even your customers (when appropriate). That collaboration leads to deeper insights and better decisions.

If you want a site that truly reflects your brand and connects with users, you need a designer who’s not afraid to listen, adapt, and co-create.


5. Results Over Looks

At the end of the day, your website isn’t just a digital business card.

You’re building something that needs to work—to drive traffic, capture leads, sell products, or support your brand.

That means your designer should understand conversion strategy, user behavior, SEO structure, and the basics of marketing. If they only talk about fonts and colors? Keep looking.


A great website is equal parts design, structure, and strategy.
 The visuals are the wrapper. The real value is in what happens after someone lands on your site.

TL;DR: What to Ask When Hiring a Web Designer

  • How do you research my business, audience, and competitors?
  • Can you walk me through your design process from start to finish?
  • What project management tools or systems do you use?
  • How do you collaborate with other stakeholders on the project?
  • How do you ensure the site supports my business goals (not just looks good)?

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If you’re spending thousands on a new website, make sure you're hiring someone who sees the big picture.

A beautiful design is nice.

But a strategic, results-oriented website that understands your business?
That’s what actually moves the needle.

Contact Us


Ready to launch?

Let’s build something bright.

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