How do I choose a website designer in Pretoria?
Choose a designer based on work you can actually visit, a clear written scope, honest answers about ownership and hosting, and a defined plan for what happens after launch. Compare quotes on scope rather than headline price.
Ask to see live websites, not screenshots
Anyone can show a mockup. Ask for URLs of sites currently live, then open them on your phone. Check how quickly they load, whether the text is readable, and how obvious it is to make contact.
Questions worth asking before you commit
- Who owns the domain, the hosting account and the website files after launch?
- What exactly is included, and what is charged extra?
- How many rounds of revisions are covered?
- Who writes the content and who supplies the photography?
- What happens if something breaks a month after launch?
- Will the site be set up in Google Search Console?
Warning signs
- Guaranteed first place on Google — nobody can promise this honestly.
- No written scope or timeline.
- The designer holds your domain in their own name.
- A portfolio of sites that are all offline.
- Pressure to pay the full amount before anything is shown.
Comparing quotes fairly
Put quotes side by side by scope, not price: pages included, revisions, content responsibility, SEO setup, hosting arrangement and post-launch support. A quote that is R4 000 cheaper but excludes content, SEO and support is not cheaper.
Local matters more than you would expect
A designer who understands the Pretoria and Gauteng market knows how your customers search, which payment and contact habits matter locally, and how important WhatsApp is as an enquiry channel in South Africa.