Search "web designer Johannesburg" and you'll get hundreds of options, from R999 freelancers to R50,000 agencies. Choosing wrong costs more than money — it costs months of lost enquiries. Use these 10 questions to separate the professionals from the risks.
Why the Choice Matters
Your website is often the first impression a customer gets. A slow, broken or unfindable site quietly sends leads to competitors. And a designer who disappears after launch leaves you stuck when something breaks.
The 10 Questions to Ask
- "Is the price fixed, and what exactly is included?" Get pages, features and revisions in writing.
- "Is hosting included — and what does it cost after year one?" Monthly fees can double the real cost.
- "Will the domain be registered in my name?" If not, you don't control your own brand.
- "Do I own the website if I stop paying you?" Rental models mean you lose it.
- "What SEO is included?" At minimum: titles, meta descriptions, headings, sitemap, Google indexing and schema.
- "How fast will it load on mobile data?" Ask for a speed test of a previous site.
- "Can I see sites you've built for businesses like mine?" Look for your industry and area.
- "How long will it take?" And what do they need from you to hit that date?
- "What happens after launch?" Free support period, response times and update costs.
- "Is it POPIA compliant?" Forms that collect personal information need consent notices and SSL.
Red Flags
- Guaranteed "#1 on Google" promises.
- No written quote or contract.
- Domain registered in the designer's name.
- Compulsory 24-month contracts for a simple website.
- No portfolio, or only overseas templates.
How to Compare Quotes Fairly
Add the setup fee to 12 months of any monthly fees to get the year-one cost. A R1,499 site with a R199 monthly fee costs R3,887 in year one — more than our R2,500 Mini Website with hosting included. We break this down on our website prices page.
Next Steps
Send MBICT these 10 questions on WhatsApp — we'll answer every one in writing, with a fixed price, within 2 business hours. Or browse websites by industry and the areas we serve.