Finding a website designer can feel like wading through quicksand. You type “website designer” into Google and suddenly you’re staring at hundreds of options… all promising beautiful sites, quick turnarounds, and “great prices.” The truth is… not all designers are created equal.
I say that as someone who has been on the other side of the screen for years. I’m a web designer and SEO strategist, and I spend most of my days working with health and fitness professionals who run their own businesses… but I also partner with folks in all kinds of industries.
The one thing I’ve learned is that the best designer for you is the one who actually cares about your business goals, not just how many pixels they can push around.
The right designer will think beyond colors and fonts. They’ll want to know who your audience is, what actions you want people to take, and how your site fits into your bigger marketing strategy. Without that foundation, you might end up with a site that looks nice but doesn’t actually bring in clients.
Where to Look for a Website Designer
If you’ve been scrolling for hours and still have no clue where to start, here’s my tried-and-true list of places to look. Some of these might surprise you.
Google Search (Niche-Specific)
Instead of just typing “website designer,” try “website designer for [your industry].” If you’re in fitness, for example, search “fitness website designer” and see who comes up. You’ll get designers who speak your language and understand your audience. That’s one reason I work so well with health and fitness pros… I get the business side and the client side.
Ask Colleagues and Industry Contacts
Word of mouth is still one of the best ways to find the right person. Ask other business owners in your network if they worked with someone they loved. If they can tell you about the process, not just the finished product, even better.
Local Chamber of Commerce and Business Directories
Sometimes the best person for the job is right in your own backyard. Check your local Chamber of Commerce website or small business directories. You might find someone who already understands your community and market.
Look at Websites You Love
When you stumble on a website that makes you think “I wish mine looked like this,” scroll down to the footer. Many designers leave a small credit link there. Click it… you might have just found your designer!
Pinterest for Inspiration
Search for “website design inspiration” or niche terms like “fitness website design inspiration” on Pinterest. You’ll find everything from minimalist layouts to bold, colorful designs. When you find a style you like, visit the site and check the footer for the designer’s name.
Threads
Yes… you can actually crowdsource a designer search. Post on Threads and ask your network for recommendations. People are usually quick to share their favorites. And yes, you’ll also probably get people pitching themselves! So, you can also add in something like, “Please don’t pitch yourself or DM me.” to try to avoid that.
Instagram Hashtag Search
Try hashtags like #websitedesigner or pair it with your industry or location, like #fitnesswebsitedesigner or #websitedesignerNYC. Then scroll through profiles to see real client work and read captions for insight into their process.
Specialized Facebook Groups
Not just general “small business” groups… but niche-specific communities. For example, “Fitness Business Owners” or “Wellness Entrepreneurs.” You’ll often see designers recommended in threads or offering portfolio examples.
Professional Associations in Your Industry
Many health, fitness, or wellness associations have member directories. These can be a goldmine for finding designers who specialize in your niche.
Podcast Guest Lists
Search for business or marketing podcasts in your niche. If a designer has been a guest, it’s a good sign they’re invested in the industry and can explain strategy clearly.
YouTube Search
Look for web design tutorials, case studies, or portfolio walkthroughs on YouTube. Designers who teach and share are often more process-driven.
Networking Meetups or Conferences
Local events or industry conferences often have vendors and creatives in attendance. Meeting face-to-face can help you gauge if they “get” your vision.
Online Course Communities
If you’ve taken a business or marketing course, check the course community. Alumni often share service providers they trust.
LinkedIn Search & Content
Search for “website designer” + your niche and filter by posts. Designers who share tips and results publicly often have more transparent processes.
Where Not to Waste Time Looking
Fiverr, Upwork, 99designs, Craigslist… these platforms have their place, but they’re usually not where you’ll find someone who takes the time to really understand your business. You might get a quick, inexpensive site… but chances are it will be a generic template with no strategy behind it. And without strategy, your site is just another pretty page floating on the internet.
The Role of Website Strategy
If the first thing a designer says is “Sure, I can build it for $500, just send me everything,” you might want to back away slowly. That isn’t a process. That’s a gamble.
Discovery is the part where we slow down so the website can speed things up later. As a web designer and SEO strategist, especially with health and fitness pros, I start by getting clear on your business model… your offers… your audience… and the journey someone takes before they buy. I want to know what a successful three months looks like, not just what color you like.
We’ll talk about your services and how they’re packaged. If you’re a personal trainer, do you sell packages or memberships… virtual or in person… one location or multiple. What questions do new clients ask again and again. Where do leads come from today… referrals, Instagram, local search, email. What happens after someone inquires. Do they book a consult, fill out an intake form, sign a waiver. All of that shapes the site architecture and the calls to action.
We’ll map the buyer journey. Someone discovers you… compares options… decides… books. Each stage needs content that answers real objections. If your audience cares about credentials, results, and safety, then the site needs coach bios with certifications, transformation stories with context, and clear policies. If you teach group classes, we might need schedule integration, pass options, and a simple checkout that works on a phone at 6 a.m. while someone sips coffee before the gym.
Then there’s content. Great websites are built on clear copy and helpful visuals. In discovery we pin down voice and tone… what you want to be known for… and the core pages that carry the weight. I often draft a content outline with page goals, headlines, and talking points so writing doesn’t feel like homework. Photography matters too. If you’re in fitness, real photos beat stock every time. We’ll plan what images you actually need… facility, coaching, before and afters, short clips for social.
SEO starts on day one, not the week before launch. I build a simple keyword map tied to services and locations… create a logical URL structure… plan internal links… and note content gaps that would help you rank. For a local pilates studio, that might include city pages, instructor bios that can rank for name searches, and long form content around common questions like “reformer pilates for beginners.”
We also decide on tech. WordPress or Squarespace… bookings through Acuity or a built‑in scheduler… email list through ConvertKit or Mailchimp… CRM, payments, and any member portal. The right stack should fit your workflow so you actually use it. Performance, accessibility, and basic legal items get baked in early… fast pages, readable type, alt text, privacy policy.
The Website Price Trap You Don’t Want to Fall Into
Budgets are real. I respect that. What hurts is when a “deal” turns into a drain. The cheap quote often leaves out the parts that make a website perform… discovery, conversion strategy, SEO foundations, QA, and post‑launch support. You might get a template and a pretty homepage… but no plan for traffic or conversions… no redirects if you’re migrating… no analytics that tell you what is working.
Think about total cost, not just the invoice. Hosting, premium plugin renewals, booking tools, security, accessibility fixes, copywriting, photography… those line items appear later if they aren’t planned early. And there’s the invisible cost of missed opportunities. If your site gets 1,000 visitors a month and converts 1 percent, that is 10 inquiries. If a strategy‑led site converts 3 percent, that is 30 inquiries. Even at a modest $300 average sale, the difference is $6,000 in a single month. Cheap can be very expensive.
Common corners that get cut when the price is too good to be true… no real discovery, no content coaching, no mobile‑first testing, weak page speed, generic SEO, no accessibility review, and no plan for updates. In fitness especially, I see missing essentials like schedule integrations that actually sync, forms that validate on mobile, or copy that speaks to safety and outcomes. The site looks fine… but it does not book.
Another trap is the rebuild tax. You save now and pay later when you have to redo information architecture, rewrite copy, fix technical SEO, and move to a new platform that fits your operations. Migrations done without care can lose rankings overnight. Fixing that takes time you could have spent training clients… teaching classes… growing your list.
So how do you invest wisely? Ask every designer to itemize what is included. You want to see content support, SEO groundwork, integrations, performance and accessibility checks, training, and a support plan. Ask how they measure success… how they will know the site is working. Ask them to tell you what is not included so you are not guessing.
If your budget is tight, that is ok. Start with a strategy and a focused launch version… a crisp home page, services, about, contact, and a single lead magnet or booking path. Make sure the foundations are solid… then grow. Phasing beats patching.
Bottom line… a good website is an investment that should return more than it costs. When it is built on discovery and strategy, it attracts the right people, answers their questions, and makes it easy to take the next step. That is how sites pay for themselves… again and again. And if you want a partner who blends design with SEO and knows the health and fitness space inside out, that is my lane. We can map the plan together and build something that works as hard as you do!
FAQs
How much does it cost to hire a web designer?
It depends on the scope, features, and content needs, but most small business owners should expect to invest anywhere from at least a few thousand to several thousand dollars for a strategy-driven site.
What’s the difference between a designer and a developer?
A designer focuses on the look, feel, and user experience. A developer handles the code and functionality. Some professionals, like me, can do both… which keeps the process more streamlined.
Can I work with someone remotely?
Absolutely. I work with clients across the country. The key is having a clear communication plan, scheduled check-ins, and a shared understanding of timelines and deliverables.
Final Thoughts
Finding the right website designer isn’t about scrolling until your eyes cross. It’s about knowing where to look… and what questions to ask once you find someone.
If you want a site that’s built on strategy, designed to attract your ideal clients, and actually works for your business, that’s exactly what I do. Whether you’re a health and fitness professional or run a completely different kind of business, I’d love to help.
You can start by reaching out for a free consultation… and we’ll talk about your business, your goals, and how your website can be one of your best marketing tools.
