Choosing who builds your website is one of the most important decisions for your online presence. A good web designer gives you a site that looks professional, loads fast, works on phones, and brings in enquiries. A poor one can leave you with a slow, hard-to-update site that you do not even fully own. Use this guide to compare web designers in Sri Lanka and ask the right questions.
1. Look at their previous work
Visit a few websites they have built. Open them on your phone as well as a computer. Check that they load quickly, look clean, and are easy to use. Ask which part of each site they designed, and whether the client is happy to be contacted.
2. Ask what is included
A clear quotation should say exactly what you get:
- The number of pages and the main features
- Whether the site works well on phones and tablets
- Basic SEO: page titles, descriptions, and a search-friendly structure
- Who writes the text and supplies the photos
- How many rounds of changes are included
- Hosting, domain, and email, and what they cost after the first year
Our website cost guide explains what affects the price.
3. Make sure you own your website
Ask who owns the domain name, the design, and the content. The domain should be registered in your name, and you should get the login details. Ask what happens if you want to move to another host or designer later.
4. Understand how you will update the site
Ask whether you can change text, images, and products yourself, and whether you will be shown how. A site that needs a phone call to the designer for every small change becomes expensive and slow to keep current.
5. Check speed and mobile experience
Most visitors in Sri Lanka browse on their phones, often on mobile data. Ask how the designer keeps pages fast, such as properly sized images and clean code. Test a few of their live sites on your phone.
6. Ask about search and getting found
A good designer builds a site in a way that helps Google understand it, but they cannot promise a first-place ranking. Be cautious of anyone who guarantees one. Read SEO for small businesses in Sri Lanka for what to expect.
7. Agree the timeline and payment terms in writing
Ask how long the project will take, what you need to provide, and when payments are due. Put it in the quotation, so both sides know what to expect.
8. Ask about hosting, security, and maintenance
Websites need hosting, regular updates, and backups. Ask who looks after these, what it costs, and what happens if the site is hacked or goes down. Read our web hosting guide.
9. If you want to sell online, check payment experience
For an online store, ask about product pages, the cart and checkout, delivery options, and local payment methods such as card payments through PayHere. See how to start selling online with PayHere.
10. Check support after launch
Ask who you contact when something breaks, how quickly they respond, and whether ongoing support is included or charged separately.
Warning signs
- No written quotation, or a vague one
- A site sold as "custom" that is a basic template, with no explanation
- Unclear ownership of the domain or content
- No mobile testing, or very slow demo sites
- A guarantee of first place on Google
- No contact details or support after launch
Frequently asked questions
Should I choose a freelancer or an agency?
Either can do good work. A freelancer may be cheaper and more personal, while an agency usually offers a wider team, hosting, and ongoing support. What matters is the quality of their work and a clear written agreement.
How long does it take to build a website?
It depends on the size of the site and how quickly you provide content. A simple business website takes less time than an online store. A good quotation includes a timeline.
Do I need to pay for hosting separately?
Often yes, but some designers include the first year. Ask what is included and what it costs afterwards.
Work with a team that handles everything
We design and build websites and online stores for businesses across Sri Lanka, host and maintain them, and send a clear written quotation before any work begins. See our web design service, our e-commerce development, or contact us for a free consultation.