Free mockup vs. traditional agency: how to hire a web designer for your contracting business
The questions to ask, the red flags to walk away from and why you should see your site before you pay for it.
Hire a web designer who will show you a design before you pay, puts the price and launch date in writing, registers the domain in your name and does not lock you into a long contract. Ask to see sites they have built for other contractors, and walk away from anyone who guarantees you the number one spot on Google.
The four ways contractors usually get a website
| Option | How it works | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| Do it yourself | You build it on Wix, Squarespace or similar | Your nights and weekends, and sites that never rank |
| Freelancer | One person builds it, often from a template | Disappearing after launch, no one to call for changes |
| Traditional agency | Discovery meetings, contract, deposit, then design | High prices, long contracts, paying before you see anything |
| See-first studio | You see a homepage design free, then decide | Make sure the price after the mockup is in writing |
8 questions to ask any web designer
- Can I see a design before I pay? A mockup of your own homepage tells you more than any sales pitch.
- What is the total price, in writing? Build, monthly fees and anything extra, before work starts.
- Who owns the domain, the site and the photos? The answer should be you.
- How long is the contract? Month to month is ideal after the build.
- Who writes the content? If it is you, budget your own time. Good designers write it for your trade.
- How do leads reach me? Calls, texts and form submissions should hit your phone right away.
- When will it go live? Get a date, not "a few weeks."
- What happens if I leave? You should get everything, with no exit fees.
Red flags that cost contractors thousands
- "We guarantee number one on Google." Nobody can guarantee rankings, and Google says so itself.
- The designer registers the domain in their name. That gives them control of your web address.
- Leased websites. Low monthly payments that never end, and the site disappears if you stop paying.
- No contractor portfolio. Building for restaurants is not the same as building for trades.
- Long contracts before you have seen any work. You carry all the risk.
Why see-before-you-pay works better for contractors
You would not ask a homeowner to pay for a pool before seeing the design. Your website should work the same way. A free mockup shows you the design, the words and the layout for your own business, so you decide on something real instead of a promise.
At Juve Consulting, you give us your name, phone and trade. We design your homepage in 2 to 3 business days, walk through it with you in a 15-minute call, and if you like it, we build the rest at a flat price in writing. If you do not, you owe nothing. See what contractor websites cost for price ranges across every option.
Tell us your name, phone and trade. We design your homepage free in 2 to 3 business days and walk you through it.
Common questions
Should I hire a freelancer or an agency for my contractor website?
A freelancer is often cheaper but may not be around for changes later. An agency has more people but usually higher prices and longer contracts. Whichever you choose, get the price, timeline and ownership in writing.
Is a free website mockup really free?
At Juve Consulting, yes. No card and no contract. If you pass on it, you owe nothing and the ideas are still yours.
How do I know if a web designer is good at local SEO?
Ask to see a site they built for a contractor and search for that business on Google by service and city. If it shows up, they know what they are doing.
Juve Consulting pricing and process are listed on our pricing section.
See your new website before you pay a dollar
Three fields. We design your homepage and call you back the same business day.