How to Choose a Web Designer in Brisbane (2026 Buyer's Guide)

Most people choose a web designer on portfolio and price. Both matter. But a few other questions decide whether you end up with a site you control, or one you can't change without going back to the same person. This guide covers what to look for, what to ask, the red flags and what to get at handover.

What a good web designer gives you

• A clear written quote. It shows what's included, what isn't, how many rounds of changes you get, and whether the price includes GST.
• A site you own: the code, the content and the domain.
• A site that works well on phones. Many of your visitors will see it on a phone first.
• The basics for Google, done from the start: page titles, descriptions, clear headings and a sitemap.
• Plain answers. A good designer can explain every decision without jargon.

Freelancer or agency?

Brisbane has both, plus plenty of small studios in between. Neither is always better.

Whoever you choose, owning your code lowers the risk. If they become unavailable, another developer can pick up where they left off.

Questions to ask before you hire

1. Will I own the full code when the project is finished? You want a straight yes. "You own the content" is not the same thing.
2. Where will the site be hosted, and can I move it? Get the name of the hosting provider. Moving should not mean paying them to "migrate" your own site.
3. Can I see three sites you built recently? Open them on your phone and run them through Google's free PageSpeed Insights tool.
4. Who registers the domain? It should be in your business's name, on an account you control.
5. Do you code the site or use a template or page builder? Neither is always wrong, but you should know. Page builders like Elementor or Divi can make later changes harder and tie you to their plugins.
6. Who will build it, and where are they based? Some businesses with a local name send the work elsewhere. That can be fine, but you should know.
7. What happens after launch? Ask about monthly costs, updates, backups and what small changes cost.

Red flags

• A "custom" site that's really a template. If a custom website turns out to be a Wix site or a bought theme, you're paying for setup, not design. Ask what it's built on.
• Unclear ownership in the contract. Watch for lines like "we retain rights to the code" or "design elements remain our property". Read the intellectual property section before you sign.
• Hosting you can't leave. A monthly hosting fee is normal. A contract that says you must pay them forever to keep the site online, or that the site is deleted if you leave, is not.
• No registered business details. You can search any Australian business on ABN Lookup (abr.business.gov.au). A registered business matters for contracts, GST and getting help when something breaks.
• A very low quote with no planning. If they go straight from "sounds good" to a payment link, the site won't be built around your business.

What the process should look like

1. A first chat about your business, your customers and what the site needs to do.
2. A written scope: what's included, what isn't, how changes work and what you own.
3. A design for you to approve before the build starts.
4. The build, with check-ins along the way.
5. Handover: the code, logins, domain access and short notes on how it all fits together.

If a designer wants to skip the first two steps, expect arguments about changes later.

Ownership and handover checklist

Get these agreed in writing before you sign, then tick them off at handover.

• The full code is handed over to you when the project is finished.
• The domain is registered in your business's name, on your account.
• You know the name of the hosting provider, and you can move away from it.
• Hosting fees are listed separately from the build price.
• You can get a copy of your site's backups.
• You have logins for everything the site uses, such as hosting, the domain, forms and Google tools.
• You've agreed whether the designer can show your site in their portfolio.

For your IT person

Ask for access to the code repository (for example on GitHub), not only a zip file. The hosting and domain registrar accounts should belong to the business, or the business should have admin access. Move any third-party accounts and API keys the site uses, such as forms, analytics or email, into the business's name. Keep a copy of the DNS records.

Where Hireadev fits

Hireadev is a Brisbane web and software business run by Ryan Brooker. It's a one-person business, so you deal with Ryan from the first chat to handover. We work in person across South East Queensland and remotely anywhere in Australia.

Our websites are hand-coded and cloud hosted, and you own the code. Launch is $799 for one page. Growth starts at $2,500 for up to five pages. Hosting and care is $30 a month, with no lock-in contract.

We're not right for everyone. If you need something live tomorrow on a very small budget, Wix or Squarespace may suit you better. Our guide to custom websites vs Wix and Squarespace can help you decide.

Talk it through

See what's included in our Brisbane website design packages, or get in touch. You'll get a clear answer on what your site needs and what it will cost.