Choosing the right web designer for your Chichester business is crucial. Your website is often the first impression potential customers have of your company, so getting it right matters. Here's everything you need to know.
Why Choose a Local Chichester Web Designer?
Before we dive into the selection process, let's address why working with a local designer has advantages:
Benefits of Local
- ✓Face-to-face meetings — Better communication, easier to discuss complex requirements in person
- ✓Understanding of the local market — Knows West Sussex customer behavior and local competition
- ✓Quick response times — Available for urgent updates or issues, same time zone
- ✓Supporting the local economy — Your investment stays in the West Sussex community
- ✓Easier collaboration — Can visit your business, understand your operations firsthand
When to Look Beyond Local
- •Highly specialized needs requiring specific niche expertise
- •Very limited budget (though local freelancers are often competitive)
- •Need for a very large agency team with multiple departments
For most Chichester businesses, a local designer or freelance web developer offers the best combination of service, value, and results.
Questions to Ask Before Hiring
1. Portfolio and Experience
"Can I see examples of websites you've built?"
A strong portfolio is essential. Look for quality over quantity.
- →Look for sites similar to what you need (e-commerce, service business, portfolio, etc.)
- →Check if they're still live and maintained (broken sites are a red flag)
- →Test them on mobile devices (responsive design is critical)
- →Check their loading speed (use Google PageSpeed Insights)
- →Look at design quality and user experience
"Do you have experience in my industry?"
Industry experience can be helpful but isn't essential. A good web designer can research any industry.
- →Focus more on design quality and technical skills
- →Ask how they'd approach learning your industry
- →Industry experience matters more for complex systems (e.g., healthcare compliance)
2. Process and Timeline
"What's your design and development process?"
A professional should explain their structured process clearly:
- 1.Discovery and planning phase — Understanding your business, goals, target audience
- 2.Design mockup creation and revisions — Visual designs for your approval
- 3.Development and testing — Building the site, testing on multiple devices
- 4.Launch and post-launch support — Going live, training, warranty period
"How long will my website take?"
Typical timelines for Chichester web designers:
- •Simple brochure site: 2-4 weeks (5-10 pages, basic features)
- •Business site with custom features: 4-6 weeks (10-20 pages, contact forms, galleries)
- •E-commerce store: 6-12 weeks (product catalog, payment integration, inventory)
- •Custom web application: 8-16+ weeks (bespoke functionality, complex systems)
Beware of promises that seem too fast (rushed work) or too slow (inefficient process).
"How many revision rounds are included?"
- →2-3 rounds of revisions is standard and reasonable
- →Unlimited revisions often means scope creep and project delays
- →Additional revisions beyond included rounds should have clear pricing
- →Major scope changes should be discussed and quoted separately
3. Technical Capabilities
"Will my website be mobile-friendly?"
This should be a standard "yes" — over 60% of traffic is mobile.
- ✓Responsive design is non-negotiable in 2025
- ✓Google penalizes non-mobile sites in search rankings
- ✓Ask to see mobile examples in their portfolio
"Will my website be fast?"
Page speed impacts both user experience and Google rankings.
- →Ask about target load times (should be under 2-3 seconds)
- →Inquire about optimization techniques (image compression, code minification, caching)
- →Request examples of fast sites they've built (check with PageSpeed Insights)
- →Ask about Core Web Vitals optimization
"Is SEO included?"
Basic SEO should be standard; advanced SEO may cost extra.
- ✓Basic SEO (should be included): Meta tags, header structure, sitemap, mobile-friendly, fast loading
- +Advanced SEO (often extra): Keyword research, content optimization, link building, ongoing SEO strategy
Clarify exactly what's included vs. additional services.
"Can I update the content myself?"
Most modern sites use a CMS (Content Management System) for easy updates.
- →You should be able to update text, images, and basic content
- →Training should be included (video tutorials or in-person walkthrough)
- →Ask about the CMS (WordPress, custom CMS, headless CMS)
- →Complex updates may still require developer assistance
4. Pricing and Value
"How much will my website cost?"
Expect a range, not a specific price upfront. Full quotes require understanding your needs.
Typical Chichester Web Design Pricing (2025):
- £Basic brochure site: £800-£1,500 (5-10 pages, contact form, mobile-responsive)
- £Business website: £1,500-£3,000 (custom design, 10-20 pages, SEO, galleries)
- £E-commerce site: £2,500-£5,000+ (product catalog, payments, inventory, shipping)
- £Custom web application: £3,000-£10,000+ (bespoke functionality, booking systems, portals)
Pricing varies based on designer experience, complexity, timeline, and features. Freelancers are typically 30-50% cheaper than agencies for similar quality.
"What's included in the price?"
Standard inclusions:
- ✓Custom design and development
- ✓Mobile responsiveness
- ✓Basic SEO (meta tags, structure, sitemap)
- ✓Stock photos or image sourcing assistance
- ✓Content management system (CMS) training
- ✓30-day warranty period for bug fixes
Common extras (not included):
- +Custom photography or video production
- +Professional copywriting
- +Advanced SEO and ongoing optimization
- +E-commerce functionality
- +Custom integrations (CRM, booking systems, etc.)
- +Ongoing maintenance and support
- +Hosting (usually £10-50/month)
"Do you charge hourly or fixed-price?"
- →Fixed-price: Clearer, less risky, know total cost upfront (recommended for defined projects)
- →Hourly: Better for ongoing work, maintenance, or evolving requirements (typical rates: £40-80/hour in Chichester)
- →Get everything in writing regardless of pricing model
5. Support and Maintenance
"What happens after the site launches?"
- ?Is there a warranty period? (30 days is standard for bug fixes)
- ?What support is included after launch?
- ?How are future updates handled?
- ?What's the response time for urgent issues?
"Do you offer maintenance packages?"
Websites need regular updates to stay secure and perform well.
- →Monthly maintenance typically costs £50-£200 in Chichester
- →Should include: security updates, backups, uptime monitoring, support hours
- →Keeps your site secure and running smoothly
- →Prevents expensive emergency fixes later
"Who owns the website and domain?"
Critical question — you should own everything.
- ✓You should own the domain name
- ✓You should own all website code and content
- ✓You should have admin access to all accounts (hosting, CMS, analytics)
- ✗Beware of designers who hold your site hostage or charge to transfer it
6. Communication and Availability
"How will we communicate during the project?"
- →Email, phone, video calls, or in-person meetings?
- →How quickly will you respond? (24-48 hours is reasonable)
- →Who's my main point of contact?
- →How will I receive updates on progress?
"Are you available for meetings in Chichester?"
Face-to-face meetings can save time and improve understanding.
- ✓Easier to review designs together
- ✓Can visit your business to understand operations
- ✓Builds stronger working relationship
Red Flags to Watch For
- Refuses to show portfolio or references — Every professional should have examples
- Pressure tactics or "limited time" offers — A professional won't rush your decision
- Vague pricing or "we'll figure it out later" — Everything should be clear upfront
- No contract or written agreement — Always get terms in writing
- Promises guaranteed #1 rankings — No one can guarantee specific SEO results
- Doesn't ask questions about your business — Good designers dig deep to understand your needs
- Wants to own your domain or content — You should own everything
- No ongoing support option — Websites need updates and maintenance
- Portfolio shows only templates — Look for custom, original work
- Can't explain their process — Professionals have structured workflows
Comparing Quotes
When you receive quotes from multiple Chichester web designers, compare:
- 1.What's included — Features, pages, functionality (not just price)
- 2.Timeline and milestones — When will you see designs? When will it launch?
- 3.Revision policy — How many rounds? What's the process?
- 4.Support and warranty — What happens after launch?
- 5.Who owns the final product — Domain, code, content ownership
- 6.Ongoing costs — Hosting, maintenance, updates
Don't just choose the cheapest option. Consider:
- •Quality of previous work (portfolio)
- •Communication and professionalism
- •Understanding of your needs and goals
- •Long-term support availability
- •Technical expertise and modern practices
The cheapest quote often results in the most expensive website when you factor in poor quality, lack of support, and eventual rebuild costs.
The Right Fit Matters
Beyond skills and pricing, choose someone you're comfortable working with. You'll be collaborating for weeks or months, so good communication and shared vision are essential.
Look for these qualities:
- ✓Listens to your needs and asks clarifying questions
- ✓Offers suggestions based on experience
- ✓Honest about what's realistic within your budget
- ✓Responds promptly and professionally
- ✓Explains technical concepts in plain English
Questions to Ask Yourself
Before starting your search, clarify your own requirements:
- ?What's the main purpose of my website? — Generate leads? Sell products? Provide information? Build credibility?
- ?Who's my target audience? — Age, location, interests? What problems do they need solved?
- ?What's my budget? — Be realistic about what quality costs. Remember ongoing costs (hosting, maintenance).
- ?What's my timeline? — When do you need it live? Are there external deadlines?
- ?What features do I need? — E-commerce? Booking system? Blog? Contact forms? Galleries?
- ?Who will manage content updates? — You? Your team? The designer?
Making Your Decision
After researching and meeting with web designers in Chichester:
- 1.Review portfolios and test live sites on mobile and desktop
- 2.Check references if available (testimonials, case studies, reviews)
- 3.Compare detailed quotes (what's included, timeline, support)
- 4.Trust your gut about communication and working relationship
- 5.Start with a clear contract covering scope, timeline, payment, ownership
Conclusion
Choosing a web designer in Chichester doesn't have to be overwhelming. Focus on finding someone with:
- ✓Strong portfolio and proven technical skills
- ✓Clear, professional communication
- ✓Fair, transparent pricing with everything in writing
- ✓Understanding of your business needs and goals
- ✓Availability for ongoing support and maintenance
The right web designer becomes a long-term partner in your business's online success. Take your time, ask the right questions, and choose wisely.
Ready to discuss your website project?
As a freelance web developer based in West Sussex, I specialize in building modern, fast, and SEO-optimized websites for Chichester businesses. From custom web development to bespoke web applications, I offer transparent pricing, clear communication, and ongoing support.