How to choose a web design agency: 12 questions to ask

Choosing who builds your website is a decision you will live with for years. A beautiful portfolio is a good start, but the answers to these questions tell you much more about how the project will really go.

About their experience

• Can I see work similar to my project? Look for sites in your industry or with the features you need, and open them on your phone.
• Can I talk to a past client? A confident agency will happily connect you.
• Who will actually work on my project? Find out whether the team is in-house or outsourced, and who your main contact is.

About the process

• What are the steps and the timeline? A clear plan with milestones and approvals protects both sides.
• How will you learn about my business? Good agencies ask about your customers and goals before they talk about colours.
• How many rounds of changes are included? Knowing this upfront avoids surprise costs.

About quality and growth

• Will the site be fast, secure and mobile-friendly? Ask how they test speed and security before launch.
• Is SEO included? At minimum you need clean page titles, descriptions, a sitemap and a structure Google can understand.
• Can I update content myself? You should not need a developer to change a price or add a blog post.

About ownership and the future

• Will I own the domain, the code and the content? Everything should be in your name, with access you control.
• What happens after launch? Ask who handles hosting, backups, updates and emergencies, and what it costs.
• What exactly is included in the price? Get a written list of deliverables, so you can compare offers fairly.

Red flags to watch for

Be careful with very low prices and no clear scope, pressure to sign quickly, vague answers about ownership, or an agency that cannot explain its process in plain language.