Web Designer and Developer in Northbrook, IL

A designer plans how a site looks and how people move through it. A developer builds it so it works in a browser and does what you need. Some people do both. Ask who does which part of your project.

Look for the pages and features included, who writes the text and supplies the images, how many rounds of changes are covered, and the date the site goes live. Ask what is not included, such as extra pages added later.

Ask before you sign. You want to know that the domain name is registered in your name, that you get the login details, and who owns the code and design files. Get these points in writing.

Ask who fixes problems, who handles updates and security, and who hosts the site. Some web pros offer ongoing support and some hand the site over and stop. Find out which applies and what it involves.

Ask for links to sites they built and look at them on your phone and your computer. Ask what part of each site the designer did. If you can, ask their past clients how the project went.

No one can promise a ranking, because search engines make that decision. A web pro can build a site so it is easy to read and easy for search engines to understand. Be careful with anyone who guarantees a position on Google.

The price depends on the size and difficulty of the job. Some pros publish a starting price on their listing. Ask two or three for a written quote that says what is included, and compare the scope as well as the price.

Only customers who contacted a pro through Pros Around can review them, using a link that works once. Pros can reply but cannot delete a review, and reviews are never sold. An admin hides a review only if it breaks our rules, and the reason is recorded.

A to Z by business name. Nothing on this list is ranked, reviewed or paid for.