Hiring a web designer is harder than it should be, because online everyone sounds identical. Every shop claims to be custom, affordable, and local. So how do you tell a real partner from a template mill or an out-of-town agency that forgets your name the day after launch?
We’ve been on the building side of this in East Texas since 1999. Here’s the honest guide we’d give a friend — even if they hired someone else.
Start with one question: who actually does the work?
This is the question that separates real shops from middlemen. A lot of “agencies” sell you a project and quietly outsource the build overseas. You get a salesperson, not a developer, and when something breaks, nobody local understands your site.
Ask it flat out: Will the person I talk to be the person building my site? At MasseyMedia the answer is yes. Everything is done in-house, in Lufkin. We answer our own phones. That’s not a marketing line, it’s how a small shop has to work to keep clients for twenty-plus years.
Custom or template? Make them answer plainly.
Template sites look fine on launch day. The problem shows up later, when you need something the theme wasn’t built to do, or when you want to rank and the bloated template code fights you the whole way. A designer who builds from scratch costs more up front and saves you the rebuild down the road.
So ask: Do you build custom, or drop my content into a pre-made theme? If the answer is vague, that’s your answer. (Here’s how we approach custom website design.)
A pretty site nobody finds is just an expensive brochure
Design and SEO aren’t separate jobs. The way a site is built — its speed, its structure, its code, its schema — decides whether Google and the new AI search tools can find it. If your designer treats SEO as someone else’s problem, you’ll end up with something beautiful and invisible.
Your web designer should understand local SEO, Google Maps ranking, and how design choices affect whether you show up when an East Texas customer searches. Ask whether they handle SEO, or just the build.
Check the track record — and verify it
Anyone can claim experience. Make them prove it:
- How long have they actually been in business?
- Can they show real local work, with real client names you could call?
- Do they have clients who stayed for years, or just a portfolio of one-and-done projects?
We’ve built for everyone from Fortune 1000 companies to local family-owned shops, and a lot of those relationships go back years. Longevity tells you more than any sales pitch. (A little more about our team and history.)
Make sure you own what you pay for
Some shops build your site on a platform you can never leave, so if you ever want to switch providers, you start from zero. Before you sign anything, ask: When this is done, do I own my site and my content? Can I move it if I need to? The right answer is yes.
The questions to ask any web designer
Copy these into your next call:
- Do you build custom, or use templates?
- Who actually does the work — in-house or outsourced?
- Will my site be mobile-friendly and built for Google from the start?
- Do you handle hosting, maintenance, and SEO, or only the build?
- Do I own my site and content when it’s finished?
- Can I talk to a few of your past local clients?
Red flags worth walking away from
- They won’t give a straight answer on custom vs. template.
- The work is outsourced overseas with no local accountability.
- They can’t name a single verifiable local client.
- They lock you into a platform you can’t leave.
- They go quiet the moment the site launches.
Why East Texas businesses choose MasseyMedia
We’ve built websites for East Texas businesses since 1999 — everything in-house, no outsourcing, no templates, and we still answer our own phones. From Fortune 1000 companies to the family-owned shop down the road, the approach doesn’t change: build it right, build it to rank, and stick around long after launch. If you’re weighing a redesign, we’ll protect your existing rankings through the move.
If you want a local team that’ll still know your name next year, let’s talk.
Should I hire a local web designer or use a big national company?
A local designer knows your market, answers the phone, and is accountable in a way a national call
center isn't. National companies can be cheaper and faster for a basic template site, but for a
custom site you'll actually own and rank, local usually wins on long-term value.
Are template websites bad?
Not always — for a tiny project on a tight budget, a template can work. But templates limit what
you can build, often carry slow bloated code that hurts SEO, and tend to need replacing sooner. A
custom build costs more up front and lasts longer.
How can I tell if a web designer is actually any good?
Three things: verifiable local work you can check, real client references you can call, and a
straight answer on whether they build custom or use templates. Vague answers to direct questions
are the clearest warning sign.
Will redesigning my website hurt my Google rankings?
It can, if it's done carelessly — but a designer who understands SEO will migrate your content and
preserve your rankings through the transition. Always ask how they protect your existing search
visibility during a redesign.
Matt Massey
Matt Massey is the owner and lead developer at MasseyMedia. Matt earned a Bachelor’s in Business Management and another in Marketing from the University of Utah. Matt started MasseyMedia during college to pursue his college degree and has been growing the company for over 25+ years.
As a seasoned IT executive, I have spearheaded numerous transformative projects that have streamlined operations, enhanced organizational capabilities, and driven sustainable growth. My expertise spans designing and implementing robust web-based information systems, managing comprehensive IT functions, and leading diverse teams to deliver projects that exceed expectations.
At MasseyMedia, Inc., I have been the driving force behind over 400 successful website launches and numerous IT development projects. My approach integrates strategic planning with hands-on leadership to diversify product offerings and expand business horizons. From introducing advanced hosting solutions to integrating cutting-edge network infrastructure, my focus has always been on leveraging technology to solve complex business challenges.
My career is defined by a passion for technology, a commitment to excellence, and a relentless pursuit of innovative solutions that drive efficiency and competitiveness. I am eager to connect with like-minded professionals and organizations looking for a leader to transform their IT landscapes and guide them through the complexities of modern technology.
