A good website designer will have a flare for creativity but should also understand the importance of the design in terms of functionality and search engine optimisation. A website design needs to be able to incorporate many elements in to one with the end goal being something that looks professional and does what it is required to along with performing well on the search engines to allow it to be found in the first place.
Too many websites that are created look dated before they have even gone live and this is often due to the client insisting on using certain images or colour ways that simply do not work well together. If you employ an experienced website designer, try to take on board the comments and suggestions they make as the chances are they have a strong idea of what will work and what won’t. Take through any ideas you have but be open to change, if there is a call for it.