How Web Design

Best Places to Hire Web Designers in 2026

Updated February 2026•5 Builders Tested

Sometimes DIY isn't the right answer. If you need a truly custom website, complex functionality, or just don't have the time, hiring a professional designer is worth every penny. I've hired designers from every major platform — here's where to find the best ones and what to expect.

Editor's Choice
#1
T

Toptal

★4.9/ 5

Hire the top 3% of freelance talent.

Best For:hiringenterprisetop talent
4.9/ 5
Starting at
$60/mo
Visit SiteRead Review
#2
U

Upwork

★4.5/ 5

How work should work.

Best For:hiringfreelancersprojects
4.5/ 5
Starting at
Free
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#3
B

Behance

★4.5/ 5

Showcase and discover creative work.

Best For:hiringportfoliosinspiration
4.5/ 5
Starting at
Free
Visit SiteRead Review
#4
F

Fiverr

★4/ 5

Find the perfect freelance services.

Best For:hiringsmall tasksbudget
4/ 5
Starting at
$5/mo
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#5
S

Squarespace

★4.7/ 5

The best design templates on the market.

Best For:portfoliosphotographersartists
4.7/ 5
Starting at
$16/mo
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Head-to-Head Comparison

FeatureToptalUpwork
Starting PriceFrom $16From $23
Editor Rating★ 4.8/5★ 4.7/5
Best ForBeginner FriendlyIntermediate
Support24/7 Phone & ChatEmail Only
Money Back Guarantee✓ 14 Days✓ 30 Days

Comparing our top picks: Toptal vs Upwork

How to Hire a Web Designer

Hiring a designer can be the best investment you make — or a complete waste of money. The difference comes down to knowing what you need, choosing the right platform, and managing the project well.

When Should You Hire a Designer?

  • You need a custom brand identity — not just a website, but a cohesive visual system
  • Your site needs complex functionality — custom integrations, booking systems, membership areas
  • You tried DIY and it doesn't look right — no shame in this. Design is a real skill.
  • Your website is your business — if your site directly generates revenue, professional design pays for itself

    • Where to Find Designers

  • Freelance Marketplaces (Fiverr, Upwork): Widest range of prices ($200-$10,000+). You'll find everything from template customizers to award-winning designers. The key is reading reviews carefully and checking portfolio quality.
  • Design-Specific Platforms (Dribbble, Behance): Higher quality floor. Designers here care about their portfolio and reputation. Expect to pay $2,000-15,000+ for a full website project.
  • Agencies: For large, complex projects ($10,000-100,000+). You get a team — designer, developer, project manager, content strategist. This is the right choice for enterprise sites and complex web applications.
  • Pre-Vetted Networks (Toptal, Gun.io): These platforms screen designers before accepting them. You pay a premium, but the quality is consistently high.

    • How Much Does a Website Design Cost?

  • Template customization (Fiverr): $200-$1,000 — someone takes a template and makes it yours
  • Custom design (freelancer): $2,000-$8,000 — original design tailored to your brand
  • Full branding + website (agency): $10,000-$50,000+ — comprehensive brand strategy, custom design, and development

    • Red Flags When Hiring

  • No portfolio or only showing stock templates
  • Promising results in unrealistic timeframes
  • No contract or scope of work document
  • Asking for full payment upfront (50% deposit is standard)
  • Vague pricing with no breakdown

    • Our Recommendations

  • Best for Budget Projects: Fiverr — Quality varies, but top-rated sellers deliver good work. Use the "Pro" filter for vetted professionals.
  • Best for Quality: Dribbble — Browse portfolios and hire designers you genuinely admire. Higher cost but higher quality.
  • Best for Ongoing Work: Upwork — Great for long-term relationships. The hourly model works well for ongoing updates and maintenance.
  • Best for Enterprise: Toptal — Pre-vetted top 3% of designers. Premium pricing, premium results.

    • How to Hire a Web Designer (Step by Step)

    Hiring a designer doesn't have to be stressful. Follow this process and you'll get great results.

    Step 1: Define Your Project Scope

    Before you reach out to anyone, write down:

  • What pages you need (homepage, about, services, contact, blog — be specific)
  • What functionality you need (booking, ecommerce, contact forms, member login)
  • What sites you admire — find 3-5 reference websites and explain what you like about each
  • Your budget range — be honest about what you can spend
  • Your timeline — when do you need it live?

    • This document becomes your brief. A clear brief saves everyone time and money.

    Step 2: Find and Compare Designers

    Look at 5-10 designers' portfolios. Focus on:

  • Have they built sites similar to what you need?
  • Do their designs feel modern and professional?
  • Do they have positive reviews from past clients?
  • Are they responsive when you reach out?

    • Narrow it down to 2-3 candidates.

    Step 3: Request Proposals and Compare

    Send your brief to your top candidates. A good proposal should include:

  • A clear scope of work (what's included and what's not)
  • A timeline with milestones
  • A price breakdown
  • Their process (how many revision rounds, what they need from you)

    • Compare proposals side by side. The cheapest option isn't always the best — look for the best value and communication.

    Step 4: Manage the Project

    Once you've hired someone:

  • Pay a 50% deposit upfront, 50% on completion (never pay 100% upfront)
  • Set up regular check-ins (weekly is ideal)
  • Provide feedback clearly and promptly — vague feedback wastes everyone's time
  • Test the site thoroughly before final approval

    • Step 5: Launch and Get Access

    Before you sign off, make sure you have:

  • Full admin access to your website and hosting
  • All design source files (Figma, Photoshop, etc.)
  • Documentation on how to update content
  • A maintenance plan — who handles updates and security after launch?

    • A good designer wants you to succeed after the project ends, not become dependent on them.

    How much does it cost to hire a web designer?
    It ranges widely. Template customization on Fiverr costs $200-1,000. A custom freelance design runs $2,000-8,000. Full branding plus website from an agency costs $10,000-50,000+. Your budget should match the complexity of your project.
    Should I use a website builder instead of hiring a designer?
    If you have more time than money, and your needs are straightforward (portfolio, small business site, blog), a builder like Squarespace or Wix is the better choice. Hire a designer when you need custom branding, complex functionality, or when your website directly generates significant revenue.
    What should I look for in a web designer's portfolio?
    Look for variety and quality. Have they built sites similar to what you need? Do their designs look modern and professional? Check if the sites they've built are actually live (not just mockups). Also look for mobile responsiveness — view their portfolio sites on your phone.
    How long does it take to design a website?
    A simple 5-page site takes 2-4 weeks. A custom site with complex functionality takes 6-12 weeks. Enterprise projects can take 3-6 months. The biggest delays usually come from clients being slow to provide content and feedback — so stay responsive.

    Methodology: We selected these builders based on over 100 hours of testing specifically for hire designers. Our rankings consider ease of use, pricing, feature set, and customer support quality.