2026-09-04 · 8 min
How do I evaluate a web designer's previous work?
Look at live URLs, mobile, forms, speed and whether the site still looks like the business — not a PDF of mockups. What to ask before you hire in Australia.
A portfolio is not a mood board. If you cannot click it on a phone, it is not previous *web* work.
Open the live site, not the PDF
For each sample, ask:
- Is the URL still live? Dead Squarespace trials do not count.
- Does the form email anyone? Submit it with your own address.
- Is the phone tap-to-call? Australian service businesses live on the phone.
- How does it feel on 4G? Pretty and slow is still slow.
- Does it still look like that business? A 2019 rebrand they no longer maintain tells you they ship and walk away.
Red flags in “case studies”
- Only desktop screenshots
- Lorem ipsum still in the footer
- Every site uses the same template with a different colour
- No mention of CMS, redirects or analytics
- “Brand identity” when you asked for a booking form
What a good 2026 sample looks like
Real photos of the work or the location. One type system. A first screen that says who they help. A working enquiry path. Titles that match the service, not a slogan. That is also what a good website portfolio should show if *you* are the designer.
Hire a graphic designer or web developer on escrow, or skip the vetting and use the website package.
If you want this scoped without assembling a stack yourself, start here or call 1800 953 243.
FAQs
How do I evaluate a web designer's previous work?
Open live URLs on your phone. Check whether the form works, the phone number is tappable, pages load, and the site still matches the business. Mockups in a PDF are not evidence the site shipped.
What if they only show Dribbble or Behance?
Ask for the production URL. Concept art is not a website. If they cannot show a live site they owned through launch, treat it as a junior sample.
Should I care about awards?
Not for a six-page Australian service site. Care about conversion paths, mobile, and whether the copy is in Australian English.
Design vs development — who should I hire?
A designer owns layout, type and visuals. A developer owns the CMS, forms, speed and integrations. Many jobs need both. Read the design vs development note on this blog.
Can I skip hiring and buy a package?
Yes. Tech Aid’s website + AI chat package is $2,000 for up to six pages, mobile-first, qualifying chat, 7–14 days. One design/copy amend round is inside the lock.