Blog

How to find a good web designer: what to check before you hire

I'm Andre, an independent developer from Wanneperveen. I build websites for business owners in Drenthe and Overijssel, so I sit on the other side of this question myself. That's exactly why I'll tell you honestly where things go wrong - including in my own trade.

Where do you look for a web designer?

There are roughly four places to find someone, each with trade-offs:

• A referral from your network. The best source. Someone who already did good work for a contact will likely do it again.
• Local search (Google, business networks). You find someone nearby you can actually meet.
• Platforms like Fiverr and Upwork. Large supply, quick to compare, but variable quality.
• Agencies. More capacity, but also more overhead and often rotating contacts.

Fiverr: cheap, but how does it work in practice?

Honestly: Fiverr has real uses. A logo, a simple landing page for an event, a small job with a clear scope - it can work fine for that, and cheaply too.

But for a complete business website you often run into three things: communication across a time zone, a generic template sold as "custom", and no support after the site goes live. You pay little, but you get exactly what fits in that one package - no more.

Upwork: who is it suited for?

Upwork sits a step above Fiverr: you hire people hourly or per project, with more detailed profiles and work history. For ongoing or larger work that's better, because you genuinely select a person rather than buying a ready-made package.

The drawback is still distance. You work remotely with someone who usually doesn't know your market, language or region. For a local service provider who wants to be found in Drenthe or Overijssel, that weighs more heavily than many people think.

Local developer vs online freelancer

The biggest advantage of local isn't the distance on a map - it's accountability. Someone you can meet, who knows your market and whom you can ask about through mutual contacts, simply has more at stake.

	Local developer	Online freelancer
Communication	Direct, often in person	Remote, asynchronous
Knowledge of your market	High	Variable
Price	Market rate	Sometimes lower
Accountability	Personal, checkable	Depends on the platform
Aftercare	Usually included	Often separate or none

How much does a freelance web developer cost?

Realistic rates in the Netherlands in 2026:

• Entry / junior: €35 - €45 per hour
• Experienced freelancer: €60 - €90 per hour
• Specialist / senior: €90 - €120+ per hour

More important than the hourly rate is how you settle up. With unclear scope, a fixed price is more predictable than hourly billing - you know up front where you stand. Want the full price breakdown? Read what a website costs.

What should you know before hiring someone?

Prepare with these five points. The better prepared you are, the better the quote you'll get back:

• Who is your audience and what should they do on the site?
• Which pages and features do you need?
• Do you supply text and photos, or does that need to be added?
• Who owns the domain, hosting and code?
• How, and by whom, is the site maintained after launch?

How do you know if someone is actually good?

Not from a pretty homepage of their own. Judge on:

• A portfolio of real, working sites. Click through. Do they load fast? Do they work on mobile?
• References you can check. Ask for a client you may call.
• The process. A good designer asks questions about your business before talking design.
• Clear agreements on paper. Scope, price, planning and ownership in writing.

Red flags: 8 signals to keep looking

1. No concrete portfolio, or just screenshots without links.
2. Vague pricing that "will become clear later".
3. Promises everything without asking anything about your business.
4. No written quote or order confirmation.
5. Works without a contract.
6. You don't become the owner of the domain or code.
7. Unreachable or slow to respond - now, when it hasn't even started.
8. The cheapest of all, with no explanation why.

Questions to ask before you sign

A short checklist for the intro call: Who exactly builds it? Will I see demos along the way? What's included and what isn't? Do I become the owner of everything? And: what happens if I want to change something after a year?

Frequently asked questions

Where do I find a reliable web designer?

Through contacts (the best referral), LinkedIn, local business networks, or platforms like Fiverr and Upwork. Always check the portfolio, ask for references, and verify the designer shows they understand what you do.

Is Fiverr reliable for web design?

Sometimes. For simple tasks or a logo it can be fine. For a complete business website you often hit communication problems, generic templates dressed up as custom, and no support afterwards.

How much does a freelance web designer cost?

Hourly rates run from €35-€45 (entry) to €90-€120 (senior). Fixed-price projects are more predictable than an hourly rate when the scope is unclear.

What are red flags with a web designer?

No concrete portfolio, vague pricing, promising everything without asking questions, no written quote, and working without a contract or order confirmation.

Local web designer or online freelancer - which is better?

Local: direct communication, knowledge of your market, and personal accountability. Online: larger supply, sometimes cheaper. The biggest advantage of local is that someone is checkable and knows your market.

Conclusion

You recognise a good web designer by proof and honesty, not by the lowest price. Ask questions, request references, and watch the red flags. Whether you go local or online - choose someone who understands you first, before they start building.

Want to know if I'm a fit? Plan a no-obligation chat or send a WhatsApp. I'll tell you honestly whether I'm the right person for your project.