Essential Questions for Hiring a Freelance Web Designer Focused on SEO and Performance

When seeking a freelance web designer to enhance the SEO and performance of your website, it's critical to ask the right questions. Ensuring that the web designer has a deep understanding of how their work impacts search engine rankings and site efficiency is crucial. Below are essential questions to ask when interviewing a freelance web designer for your project.

Technical SEO Proficiency

1. How do you optimize website crawlability and indexability?
- Discuss techniques such as XML sitemaps, robots.txt file management, and proper meta tags.

2. What steps do you take to manage broken links or 404 errors?
- Talk about automated link repair tools and regular site audits.

3. Can you ensure that the website uses proper canonical tags to avoid duplicate content?
- Highlight the importance of canonical tags in preventing duplicate content issues.

Core Web Vitals

4. How do you optimize for Largest Contentful Paint (LCP), First Input Delay (FID), and Cumulative Layout Shift (CLS)?
- Discuss strategies such as optimizing images, improving code quality, and ensuring fast page loads.

5. What tools do you use to assess Core Web Vitals and how do you address issues? - Mention tools like Google PageSpeed Insights, Lighthouse, and Web Vitals API.

Load Time Strategies

6. What techniques do you use to minimize render-blocking JavaScript and CSS?
- Discuss lazy loading, code splitting, and minification.

7. How do you ensure third-party scripts don’t significantly impact loading speed?
- Talk about script optimization and preferential queuing.

Collaboration and Communication

8. How do you involve clients in the SEO strategy during the design process?
- Discuss the importance of client input and regular communication.

9. Do you provide educational resources to help clients maintain SEO performance?
- Highlight any resources, such as guides or training materials, that the web designer can provide.

Case Studies and Examples

10. Can you share examples of websites you've designed that rank well in search engines?
- Provide specific examples to demonstrate the web designer's experience and effectiveness.

11. What were the measurable improvements in traffic or rankings after your optimization?
- Discuss any data or case studies that showcase the web designer's achievements.

If you have been using a web designer and want to switch to another with a proven track record in SEO and performance, click here to see how our experts can help you.

You can also find more insights on SEO and performance in this comprehensive guide.