Web Design FAQs: Everything You Need to Know 2026

About Web Design

Web design in India covers everything from landing pages for local businesses to full ecommerce platforms. A typical 5–10 page business website costs ₹30,000–₹80,000, depending on complexity and the designer's location. Startups and small businesses commission most web design projects, though larger companies occasionally outsource redesigns of existing sites. Pricing varies widely — a freelancer in Tier-2 cities charges 40–50% less than agencies in Mumbai or Bangalore.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does a typical web design project take?

A 5–8 page business website takes 4–6 weeks from the first meeting to launch. Revision rounds add 1–2 weeks. Ecommerce sites or platforms with custom features can stretch to 10–12 weeks. Projects delay most often during content delivery — if you supply text and images late, the timeline extends. Ask for a schedule with milestone dates and mark your content deadline at the start.

What's the difference between web design and web development?

Web design focuses on layout, colour schemes, typography, and user experience. Web development handles the code that makes the design functional: forms, databases, payment integrations, and server setup. Most designers in India work with developers on technical builds, though some freelancers handle both. If you're hiring separately, the designer delivers mockups in Figma or Adobe XD; the developer turns those mockups into working HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.

Do I need a responsive design or a mobile-first design?

You need responsive at minimum. A responsive site adjusts to different screen sizes — desktop, tablet, mobile. Mobile-first design means the designer builds the mobile layout first, then scales up for larger screens. Roughly 60–70% of Indian web traffic comes from mobile devices, so most designers default to mobile-first now. Ask to see how your site looks on a phone screen before you approve the final mockup.

How many rounds of revisions are included?

Most designers in India include two or three rounds of revisions in the quoted price. A revision round covers changes to one design element — colour, layout, font choice, image placement. Requesting an entirely new homepage layout or a fresh design direction counts as a new round, often billed separately at ₹5,000–₹12,000 per additional round. Clarify the revision policy in writing before you start and define what counts as one round versus a new scope of work.

Can I see examples of your previous work?

Yes, and you should. Ask for three to five portfolio pieces that match your industry or website type. A designer who built ecommerce sites for fashion brands may not be the right fit for a logistics company's corporate website. Look for consistency in layout quality, navigation clarity, and image handling. If the designer can't show work, or only shows templates, move to the next candidate.

What file formats will I receive at the end of the project?

You should receive the final design files in formats you can use later. Common deliverables include Figma or Adobe XD files (editable design mockups), plus exported assets like logos, icons, and images in PNG or SVG. If the developer is separate, you'll also get HTML/CSS files or access to the content management system. Confirm file ownership before you start — some designers retain design file rights and only hand over the live website.

Who owns the design files after the project is complete?

Ownership depends on your contract. Most designers transfer full ownership of design files and code after final payment, though some retain the source files and only grant you usage rights for the live site. If you plan to update the site yourself or hire a different designer later, you need full ownership of the Figma/XD files and all code. State this requirement upfront and confirm it in writing before the first payment.

What content do I need to provide?

You provide all written content (service descriptions, About Us copy, contact details), logos, brand colours, and any photos or videos you want to include. The designer structures and formats your content but doesn't write it for you unless you pay separately for copywriting at ₹1,500–₹4,000 per page. Stock photos are an option if you don't have originals, but custom photography costs ₹8,000–₹20,000 for a half-day shoot and usually improves conversion rates.

How much does web design cost in India?

A 5–8 page business website costs ₹30,000–₹80,000. Single-page sites or landing pages start at ₹12,000–₹25,000. Ecommerce sites with product catalogues and payment gateways range from ₹60,000–₹1.5 lakh, depending on the number of products and integrations. Agencies in metros charge at the higher end; freelancers in Pune, Jaipur, or Coimbatore charge 30–40% less. Prices quoted are usually ex-GST, so add 18% to the final invoice.

What's the payment schedule for a web design project?

Most designers request 30–40% upfront, 30–40% after design approval, and the remaining 20–30% at launch. Agencies sometimes split payments into four milestones: deposit, mockup approval, development handoff, and final delivery. Never pay the full amount before launch. Hold at least 20% until you've tested the live site and confirmed all links, forms, and pages work as specified.

Should I use a template or commission a custom design?

Templates cost ₹5,000–₹15,000 and launch in 1–2 weeks. They work well for startups with tight budgets or businesses that need a site live quickly. Custom designs cost more — ₹30,000 and up — but fit your brand exactly and don't share a layout with dozens of other sites. If your business depends on standing out visually (creative agencies, luxury brands, restaurants), custom is worth it. For professional services or B2B companies, a well-customised template often suffices.

Do I need to provide hosting and a domain name?

Most designers don't include hosting or domain registration in the design fee. You'll pay separately for hosting (₹3,000–₹12,000 per year) and domain registration (₹500–₹1,200 per year). Some designers bundle these services and bill you annually, which simplifies renewal but locks you into their hosting provider. If you buy hosting yourself, you control where the site lives and can move it later without negotiating with the designer.

How do I know if my current website needs a redesign?

Redesign if your site loads slowly, looks broken on mobile devices, or hasn't been updated in three or more years. A bounce rate above 60% (check Google Analytics) signals layout or content problems. If competitors' sites convert better or look more current, a redesign probably improves your results. Budget ₹40,000–₹1 lakh for a full redesign of a 5–10 page site, depending on how much of the existing content and structure you keep.

What happens after the website launches?

You're responsible for updates, security patches, and content changes unless you arrange ongoing maintenance. Most designers offer monthly maintenance packages at ₹3,000–₹8,000 per month, covering plugin updates, backups, and minor text edits. If you're using WordPress or another CMS, you can handle updates yourself with basic training. Ask for a handover session where the designer walks you through the dashboard and shows you how to add pages, edit text, and upload images.

Can the designer help with SEO?

Some designers include basic on-page SEO — page titles, meta descriptions, alt text for images, and mobile optimisation. This costs an additional ₹8,000–₹15,000 or is included in higher-tier packages. Technical SEO (sitemaps, schema markup, site speed optimisation) and ongoing SEO strategy are separate services, usually handled by specialists. If SEO is important to you, confirm what's included before signing and ask for examples of sites the designer has optimised.

What if I need changes after the project is complete?

Most designers offer post-launch support for 2–4 weeks at no extra charge, covering bug fixes and minor tweaks. Changes beyond that window — new pages, layout adjustments, feature additions — are billed hourly at ₹1,500–₹3,500 per hour, depending on the designer's rate. If you know you'll need ongoing updates, negotiate a monthly retainer (₹5,000–₹12,000) for a set number of hours per month. This is cheaper than paying ad-hoc hourly rates.

How do I check references before hiring a designer?

Ask for two or three client contacts and call them. Ask about responsiveness during revisions, whether the project launched on time, and if the designer handled post-launch support well. Check the designer's portfolio on platforms like Behance or Dribbble for consistency in quality. A designer with five polished pieces is more reliable than one with 30 inconsistent projects. You can also find and compare web designers on Selyst, where profiles include reviews and past project details.

What's the best way to communicate feedback during the design process?

Use one channel — email, Slack, or Selyst's messaging system — and keep all feedback in writing. Avoid phone calls for design notes; written feedback prevents misunderstandings about colour codes, spacing, or layout changes. Mark up mockups with numbered comments using tools like Figma's comment feature or simple screenshots with annotations. Consolidate feedback from your team into one message per round rather than sending piecemeal requests over several days.

Should I ask for a contract?

Yes. The contract should list deliverables (mockup files, final code, image assets), payment schedule, revision policy, and ownership terms. It should state who pays for domain, hosting, and third-party tools like stock photo licenses. Without a contract, you have no recourse if the designer misses deadlines or refuses to hand over files. If the designer doesn't offer a contract, provide one yourself or use a simple agreement template and ask them to sign it.

Still Have Questions?

Web design pricing, timelines, and deliverables vary widely across India, and every project has specific requirements that shift the scope. If your questions weren't covered here, post your project details on Selyst and receive quotes from up to five matched designers. You'll see portfolio examples, pricing breakdowns, and timelines side by side, which makes comparison straightforward. Most designers respond within a day.

Get free quotes from web designers on Selyst now.