Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Brand or Web Designer
Find the Right Design Partner for Authentic Branding
Hiring a designer can feel like a lot — exciting, but also a little overwhelming. With so many options, it’s easy to get lost before you even begin.
You start out hopeful, scrolling portfolios and comparing prices, telling yourself you’ll “know it when you see it.” Then the tabs multiply, design trends blur together, and suddenly it’s all feeling a bit much.
Or maybe you’ve tried to DIY your brand with a Canva logo or a template that looked fine — but didn’t reflect the real you. After hours of tweaking colors, the effort you’ve put in isn’t matching the energy you want your brand to carry.
That’s the tricky part — too many choices, too many voices, and that quiet fear of investing time and money only to end up with something that doesn’t feel aligned or authentic.
Most purpose-driven professionals hit this point eventually.
It’s not a setback, but a natural part of the creative process — a sign you’re ready for more clarity and confidence in how you show up.
You don’t need all the answers yet; you just need to start asking the right questions. A good designer won’t expect you to have it all figured out. When it comes to authentic branding, they’ll help you uncover what truly reflects who you are and guide you toward design that feels intentional and true.
If you’re craving a brand that feels warm, grounded, and real — and a process that replaces overwhelm with clarity — these questions are a beautiful place to start.
Before you hire a brand or Squarespace designer, take a moment to explore a few thoughtful questions that can help you find the right creative partner:
What’s your process like, and how involved will I be?
How do you help clients clarify their brand before jumping into visuals?
How do you balance strategy and style?
What do I need to have ready before we start?
These are some of the most important questions to ask before hiring a designer — ones that reveal not just how someone works, but whether their approach will help your brand truly feel like you.
Read on to discover why they matter and how to approach these questions in conversation with confidence, curiosity, and ease.
What’s your process like, and how involved will I be?
A clear process makes all the difference between overwhelm and ease.
When you’re investing in your brand or website, you deserve to know how the work will actually unfold — not just what it will look like in the end. Every designer works a little differently, so it’s worth asking what the experience feels like from start to finish.
In my studio, the process is collaborative and structured, yet flexible enough to meet you where you are.
We always start with clarity — a guided questionnaire and creative conversation that help you reconnect with your story, your values, and what makes your work meaningful. From there, we move through each phase together with space for reflection and feedback along the way.
It’s a balance of guidance and co-creation — you bring your insight and intuition; I bring the structure, creative direction, and experience to bring it all to life.
A good process should leave you feeling guided, supported, and seen — not lost in jargon or endless revisions.
Whether you’re the hands-on type who loves being part of every decision or the spacious type who prefers a guided approach, the right designer will make the process simple, purposeful, and even a little fun.
How to ask:
Bring this up early in your initial conversation or discovery call.
Ask in a curious, open way — for example, “Can you walk me through your process and how clients are typically involved?” This helps you get a feel for how structured or flexible the designer’s approach is and whether it fits your working style.
How do you help clients clarify their brand before jumping into visuals?
Before the colors, fonts, or website layouts, there’s clarity.
A designer who helps you get clear on your story and goals before planning next steps will help you understand what your brand really means before deciding how it should look. That clarity is what turns a beautiful logo into something that resonates with your clients and reflects your purpose.
For many of the coaches, therapists, and healers I work with, this brand clarity phase often feels like a deep breath — the discovery stage where we slow down to reflect on your story, articulate what makes your work different, and uncover the heart behind your brand.
Through guided questions and conversation, we explore your story, your values, and the transformation you help create.
It’s not about creating a brand that just looks professional. It’s about creating one that feels like you — aligned, confident, and true to who you are.
How to ask:You might say, “I know visuals are important, but I’d love to understand how you help clients get clear on their message or values before design begins.”
This shows you value depth and alignment and helps you learn how they blend strategy with creativity.
How do you balance strategy and style?
The best design doesn’t just look beautiful — it feels right.
It tells your story in a way that feels natural and true, where every color, texture, and type choice is rooted in intention. That balance between strategy and style is what turns a visual identity into an experience that builds trust, connection, and resonance.
When I design, I’m always thinking about both — the strategy behind how your brand needs to function and the feeling you want to evoke when someone visits your website or holds your business card.
It’s where clarity meets creativity — a process that blends thoughtful direction with artistic intuition. The result is design that not only stands out but also feels like your most beautiful expression.
How to ask:
You could ask something like, “How do you balance the strategic parts of branding with the creative side?”
It’s a simple way to learn how they think and see if their style feels like a good fit for you.
What do I need to have ready before we start?
It’s a common question, and a good one. Most people worry they need to have every word written, every photo chosen, or every idea perfectly mapped out before reaching out to a designer.
But here’s the truth: you don’t need to have it all figured out.
A good designer will guide you through what’s needed at each stage. What helps most is a general sense of your goals, your audience, and what’s been feeling out of alignment with your current brand or website. From there, the process unfolds together — one thoughtful step at a time.
When we work together, I provide a clear roadmap and creative brief to make things simple. You’ll always know what to expect, what to gather, and how to prepare — without the overwhelm.
So instead of waiting until everything’s perfect, start where you are. Clarity grows through the process itself.
How to ask:
Keep it simple and open-ended: “Is there anything I should prepare or think through before we begin?”
It’s a great way to understand how organized and supportive your designer will be from day one.
Bringing It All Together
If you’ve ever felt stuck between wanting to move forward and not knowing where to start, you’re not alone. That space between overwhelm and clarity is where transformation begins.
Asking the right questions isn’t just about hiring the right designer — it’s about building trust in your own process. Those questions help you uncover what matters most, giving you the confidence to invest in your brand with intention and ease.
Because design isn’t decoration. It’s communication — a way to translate your purpose into visuals that feel aligned and alive.
If you’re ready to take that first step toward clarity, I created a free tool to help you begin:
👉 Download “Brand Story Clarity: 5 Key Questions for Coaches & Therapists”
It’s a thoughtful guide to help you reconnect with your purpose, your message, and the heart behind your work — so when you’re ready to hire a designer, you already have the insight and direction you need to create something beautiful and true.
Hiya! I’m Lexis, the author of this blog.
If you’re here to build a brand that feels beautiful, meaningful, and true to you, I’m so glad you found your way.
At Most Beautiful Design, I blend intuition, creativity + strategy to help purpose-driven entrepreneurs craft brands that truly reflect who they are.
When I’m not designing, you’ll find me watercoloring alongside my kids, wandering outside, or cozied up with a good book (creativity, business, or personal growth are always at the top of my list). And yes—color makes me ridiculously happy!
Curious about what lights me up and how I work?
Start here to get a feel for my vibe, or peek at my services if you're dreaming up a brand or website that finally feels like you.
