Thinking about hiring a web designer in Sydney?

A strong website is one of the most important investments a business can make — but choosing the wrong web designer can cost you time, money, and missed opportunities.

Here are the 7 most common mistakes businesses make when hiring a web designer (and how to avoid them).

1. Not Checking Their Portfolio or Case Studies

You wouldn’t hire a builder without seeing their past work — and the same applies to web design.

What to do instead:

Ask to see live websites they’ve created. Look for projects similar to your industry or style. A real portfolio shows what they’re capable of — not just templated demos.

 


2. Ignoring SEO and Mobile Responsiveness

Your website needs to do more than look good — it needs to rank on Google and work flawlessly on mobile.

What to do instead:

Ensure your designer builds mobile-friendly, SEO-optimised websites. This means fast loading times, structured content, and technical SEO built in from day one.

 


3. Choosing Based on Price Alone

A cheap website often becomes expensive when it doesn’t perform. Hidden costs, poor design, and lack of support are common with “budget” developers.

What to do instead:

Invest in a team that understands business goals, not just design. Quality work pays off in long-term leads, sales, and reputation.

 


4. No Clear Timeline or Communication Plan

A vague start date or unclear project phases can lead to delays, miscommunication, or worse — a website that never launches.

What to do instead:

Work with a team that provides a clear roadmap: milestones, deadlines, and weekly updates. You should always know what’s happening next.

 


5. Skipping Custom Design for Pre-Made Templates

Templates are quick, but they’re not tailored to your brand — and they often come with bloated code, slow performance, and design limitations.

What to do instead:

Choose a designer who offers custom WordPress development, so your website looks and functions exactly how your business needs.

 


6. No Focus on Local Search or Target Audience

Your designer should understand your market — especially if you’re targeting local customers in Sydney or specific suburbs like Surry Hills or Redfern.

What to do instead:

Ask how they plan to help your site appear in local searches. This includes location pages, schema, and on-page SEO targeting your service areas.

 


7. Not Asking About Ongoing Support

Many web designers disappear after launch, leaving you to figure out how to update content or fix bugs yourself.

What to do instead:

Ensure they offer ongoing maintenance, updates, and support — or at least give you a clear guide on managing your website after handover.

 


Final Thoughts

Hiring a web designer in Sydney doesn’t have to be stressful — just make sure you avoid these common mistakes. The right team will guide you, design with purpose, and build a website that supports your long-term goals.

 


Need Help Choosing the Right Web Designer?

At Script Lobby Australia, we build custom, SEO-optimised websites that don’t just look good — they work hard for your business. From Surry Hills to the Sydney CBD and beyond, we’ve helped dozens of local brands go digital the right way.

Let’s chat about your next website: