Quick answerA portfolio can help you understand a designer's visual style, but it is not a complete record of every project or result.
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Be cautious about what the examples prove
A screenshot may hide how a site behaves on mobile, whether its buttons work, and whether the business can update it. Visit live examples when possible. Check the page on a phone, follow the navigation, and see whether the service and contact options are clear. Ask which parts the designer handled; a displayed site may have involved a larger team.
A portfolio does not show that a site improved sales, search position, or customer satisfaction unless reliable evidence and context are provided. A single attractive project also does not establish that the designer understands your industry. Ask for examples that show relevant skills, then discuss how the approach would adapt to your business rather than copy another client's site.
Watch for broken links or outdated content, but give the designer a chance to explain context: the business may have changed providers, content, or technology since launch. The most useful question is not “Is every example perfect?” but “Can this person explain their contribution and decisions clearly?”
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Use the portfolio as one part of your review
Compare examples alongside the proposed scope, communication, ownership, and support. For more, see LOITTEB's guide to choosing a web designer (https://loitteb.ca/insights/choose-web-designer-hamilton/). Hamilton-area businesses can also request a no-obligation website review (https://loitteb.ca/free-website-review/) to discuss a current site's needs.