What to Look for in a Website Designer: A Guide for Small Businesses

What to Look for in a Helena, MT. Website Designer: A Guide for Small Business Owners

If you’re a small business owner looking to grow your presence online, one of the most important investments you’ll make is your website. But choosing the right website designer can feel overwhelming. With hundreds of freelancers and agencies promising “custom websites,” how do you know who’s the real deal?

At Mr. BusinessBuilder, we specialize in full-service website design tailored for small businesses in Helena, Montana and beyond. In this post, we’ll break down exactly what to look for in a website designer so you can make a confident, informed decision.


1. Clear Portfolio with Real Results

Any professional website designer should have a portfolio that showcases real, live websites — not just templates. Look for:

  • Visual variety that shows creativity

  • Websites that load quickly and look good on mobile

  • Case studies or examples showing real results (traffic growth, leads, engagement)

💡 Tip: At Mr. BusinessBuilder, we highlight before-and-after projects and share how our redesigns improved SEO rankings and conversions.


2. Mobile-Friendly, Fast-Loading Sites

In 2025, mobile-first is no longer optional — it’s expected. Over 60% of visitors will view your site from a phone or tablet. Make sure your web designer:

  • Uses responsive design

  • Tests loading speed

  • Optimizes images and performance from the start

We build with performance and mobile UX in mind, using tools like Elementor Pro, Rank Math, and Imagify to ensure top speed and search visibility.


3. Built-In SEO and Local Optimization

Most DIY website builders don’t come with strong SEO. A real web design partner will:

  • Optimize your site for Google search

  • Use targeted keywords relevant to your industry and city

  • Set up Google Business Profile, schema, and citations

We focus heavily on local SEO for businesses in Helena and surrounding areas. That includes writing optimized content, setting up tracking, and ensuring your business shows up on maps and search results.


4. Clear Pricing and Ownership

A common red flag is a designer who doesn’t clearly state what you own and what you’re paying for. You should know:

  • Do you own your domain and website files?

  • Are you locked into a platform?

  • What’s included (hosting, updates, support)?

At Mr. BusinessBuilder, transparency is key. We offer flat-rate pricing, monthly support packages, and 100% ownership of your website.


5. Full-Service Support – Not Just a Pretty Site

Modern websites are more than just digital brochures. You need a designer who can handle:

  • Content writing

  • Ongoing maintenance

  • Security & backups

  • Email setup

  • Analytics & tracking

That’s why we provide full-service web design, combining design, development, SEO, hosting, and marketing strategy — all under one roof.


6. Local Experience You Can Talk To

Hiring a local web design company gives you access to real people who understand your market. When you work with Mr. BusinessBuilder:

  • You get Montana-based support

  • We answer your calls and emails directly

  • We offer in-person or Zoom meetings — your choice

We’ve helped dozens of small businesses in Helena build websites that convert visitors into paying customers.


Final Thoughts: You Deserve a Website That Works for You

Your website isn’t just a digital placeholder — it’s your 24/7 salesperson. That’s why choosing a designer who understands your goals, audience, and brand is crucial.

At Mr. BusinessBuilder, we don’t just build websites. We build your business online.


📞 Ready to upgrade your website?
Let’s build something together.

🔗 Visit MrBusinessBuilder.com
📧 Email: frank@mrbusinessbuilder.com
📍 Serving Helena, MT & surrounding areas