Sitefyd US · Insights
5 Red Flags When Hiring a Web Designer
Every red flag below has cost a small business owner $5,000 or more. Walk away the moment you see any of them.
1. "Guaranteed #1 on Google"
Nobody can guarantee a ranking. Anyone who claims they can is using spammy link networks that will earn your domain a Google penalty within 12 months.
2. 100% payment upfront
Legitimate agencies use milestone payments (typically 30/40/30 or 50/50). Full upfront removes their accountability and your leverage.
3. Hidden team
If you can't see who will actually do the work, names, photos, LinkedIn, assume it's offshore subcontractors with no US accountability.
4. Refusal to share recent US client references
Two phone references from the last 12 months is a basic ask. Refusal means the references won't say nice things.
5. Vague deliverables
"Modern, responsive website" is not a deliverable. Insist on a page-by-page sitemap, revision rounds spelled out, source-file delivery, and a 30-day post-launch fix window, all in writing.