10 Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Website Designer in Eugene, Oregon
- Mixed Handed Branding
- 3 days ago
- 6 min read

If you’re a business owner in the Pacific Northwest looking to establish or upgrade your online presence, hiring the right website designer is a big deal. Eugene, Oregon is home to a growing community of talented creatives, but not all designers or agencies are created equal. The key to hiring the right person or team is knowing what to ask before you sign a contract.
In this blog, we’ll walk you through the 10 most important questions to ask before you hire a web designer in Eugene, Oregon — plus some bonus tips on what makes local website design worth the investment.
Why Asking the Right Questions Matters
Hiring a web designer isn’t just about pretty graphics or trendy fonts. It’s about finding someone who understands your goals, audience, and the unique demands of your business. Asking the right questions helps you:
Avoid wasting time and money on the wrong partner
Understand the designer’s process and if it aligns with your needs
Gauge whether they’re results-driven or just focused on aesthetics
Uncover red flags like lack of experience, poor communication, or unclear pricing
Good questions lead to better outcomes — and ultimately, a website that does more than look nice. It actually performs.
1. Do You Have Experience With Businesses Like Mine?
Every business is different. Make sure your designer understands your industry, your customer base, and your unique goals. Ask to see examples of similar projects they’ve worked on.
Using someone familiar with your niche means fewer surprises and a smoother build. It also makes it more likely that your website will do what it’s supposed to — drive engagement, leads, and conversions.
2. What’s Your Web Design Process Like?
You want to know exactly what to expect. A reliable Eugene Oregon web designer should have a defined process from kickoff to launch.
Ask how they handle:
Discovery and strategy
Wireframes and mockups
Revisions
Final launch
Post-launch support
A clearly outlined process shows professionalism and experience.
3. Will My Website Be Custom or a Template?
Custom websites are designed from the ground up with your specific needs in mind. Templates are pre-made and then modified to fit your brand.
Both have their place, but if you’re paying a premium price, you should know what you’re getting.
4. Do You Handle SEO and Performance Optimization?
Design and SEO go hand-in-hand. If your new website looks great but doesn’t show up on search engines, it’s not doing its job.
Ask if the designer handles:
Page speed optimization
Mobile responsiveness
On-page SEO (meta titles, alt text, H1 structure)
Basic keyword strategy
Most experienced Eugene Oregon web designers will offer at least foundational SEO as part of the build.
5. What Platform Will You Build My Site On?
WordPress, Wix, Shopify, Webflow — different platforms have different pros and cons.
A good designer will choose the platform that fits your needs. If you plan to make edits on your own later, ease of use is key. If you’re selling products, Shopify might be better. If your site needs total customization, WordPress or Webflow might be ideal.
6. How Do You Price Projects — and What’s Included?
You should never have to guess what you’re paying for. Ask for a full breakdown of:
Design and development fees
Hosting or domain costs
Revisions and extra work
Ongoing maintenance or updates
A professional local website design Eugene team will be transparent about costs and scope.
7. Will I Own My Website After It’s Done?
This is a big one. Some web design companies retain ownership of the files, hosting, or even the domain.
Make sure you’ll have full ownership of:
Domain name
Hosting account
Admin access to your CMS
All design and image files
That way, you’re not locked into one vendor forever.
8. Do You Offer Support After the Website Launches?
A lot can happen post-launch — bugs, updates, and small tweaks. Find out if the designer offers ongoing support, and at what cost.
Even if you don’t plan to use it, having that safety net is helpful.
9. How Will We Communicate During the Project?
Are they available by email? Phone? Do they use a project management tool like Asana or Trello? What’s their typical response time?
Strong communication is non-negotiable when working with any Eugene Oregon web designer.
10. How Do You Measure the Success of a Website?
Do they just launch it and move on, or do they care about performance?
Ask how they measure success:
Google Analytics setup
User behavior tracking
Conversion goals
A results-driven designer will build your site with a strategy in mind — not just a style.
Why Your Website Designer Is a Marketing Partner
Your website is a key marketing asset. It’s the first impression, the sales tool, and the brand statement all in one. That’s why website design in Eugene, Oregon shouldn’t be skimped on.
A good web designer understands branding, messaging, calls-to-action, and how to guide users through your content in a way that drives action. They’re not just building pages — they’re building opportunities.
Whether you’re a small business or a growing company, your site deserves more than a cheap template or rushed job. Treat it like the investment it is.
FAQ
Why should I hire a local web designer in Eugene instead of outsourcing?
Local Eugene web designers understand the market, trends, and customer behavior in the area. You also get better communication, accountability, and a chance to support another local business.
How much does it cost to build a website in Eugene, Oregon?
Prices vary depending on complexity and features. A basic small business site may cost $2,000–$5,000, while a custom eCommerce or advanced platform could run $8,000–$15,000+. Always ask for detailed pricing upfront.
How do I know if a Eugene web designer is the right fit for my business?
Look at their portfolio. Check their reviews. Ask about experience with businesses similar to yours. And most importantly, make sure they ask you good questions too — that means they’re invested in your success.
What questions should I ask a web designer during a consultation?
Start with the 10 in this blog! Add others like: "How do you handle deadlines?" or "What happens if I’m not happy with the first design draft?"
Do Eugene-based web designers help with local SEO too?
Most do — or they should. Local SEO is critical to being found online. If they don’t offer it, consider hiring an agency that combines web design and digital marketing.
Why Mixed Handed Branding Does It All (and Why That Matters)
When it comes to marketing your business, no single tactic works in isolation. A website without content is a ghost town. Ads without a strong brand presence burn cash. Social media without strategy is noise. That’s why at Mixed Handed Branding (MHB), we don’t just build websites—we build entire ecosystems.
We’ve seen too many businesses get piecemeal marketing from different vendors. One agency builds the site, another runs the ads, someone else handles social. The result? Inconsistency, wasted money, and strategies that don’t connect. At MHB, we handle everything under one roof—on purpose. Because when your messaging, design, and marketing all align, that’s when it actually starts working.
Here’s what that looks like in practice:
Website Design + Maintenance: We build custom websites that reflect your brand, function smoothly, and adapt as your business grows. But we don’t just hand it over—we maintain it, monitor performance, and make updates as your business evolves.
SEO Optimization: We ensure your site is search-friendly from day one. We do keyword research, optimize content, and build site structure so you’re found by the right people in Eugene and beyond.
Social Media + Curated Content: You won’t find generic filler posts here. We create brand-aligned content that builds community and engages your audience—using a voice that actually sounds like you.
Email Marketing + Blogs: From monthly newsletters to optimized blog content, we help you stay top of mind and boost your authority—all while supporting your SEO efforts.
Ads + PPC Campaigns: Whether it’s Meta, Google, or YouTube, we design ad strategies that make sense for your goals. And because we know your brand inside out, the visuals and copy work together to convert.
Personalized Strategy: We don’t believe in cookie-cutter marketing plans. Every client gets a custom strategy based on their audience, goals, and budget. We dig deep during discovery and build out a roadmap that’s specific, scalable, and strategic.
The result? Every marketing effort works in harmony. Your website speaks the same language as your ads. Your social posts reinforce what people see in their inbox. Your brand voice is consistent—whether someone finds you on Google or clicks a Facebook ad.
That’s the power of full-service marketing. And it’s exactly what we do.
So if you’re tired of fragmented solutions or plans that feel generic, come talk to us. We’re not just here to build a website. We’re here to help your business grow—strategically, intentionally, and with everything working together.