IN THIS ARTICLE · 9 PARTS
Choosing who builds your website is a decision you will live with for years. The right partner makes the website something that brings in customers. The wrong one leaves you with a site you cannot change, cannot fix and eventually have to replace. Here is how to choose well.
1. Look at real work
Ask for links to live websites they have built, not only screenshots. Open them on your phone. Are they fast? Is it clear what each business does? Can you find the phone number in a few seconds? Do the sites look different from each other, or like the same template? You can see our projects here. Google's free PageSpeed Insights [1] shows how fast their sites really are on a phone.
2. Ask what happens after launch
This is where offers differ most. Ask:
- Who hosts the site, and is hosting included?
- Who handles updates, security and backups?
- How do I request a change, and how much does a small one cost?
- How quickly do you answer when something breaks?
A good agency answers these clearly. Vague answers usually mean extra invoices later. We explain why in how much a website really costs.
3. Check who actually does the work
Will a real designer and developer work on your site? Will someone review it before launch? Who will you talk to after launch, and is it the same person? Many small businesses value having one real person they can call more than any feature.
4. Ask about the process and timeline
A good agency can explain how the project works, step by step, and how long each part takes. Be careful with both extremes: "a few hours" usually means a template with your logo; "several months" for a small business site usually means too much process. Here is how our process works, from first call to launch in 7 business days.
5. Make sure you own what matters
Ask who owns the domain, the content and the photos. You should always be able to take your content with you. Get this in writing. ICANN, which coordinates domain names worldwide, sets out the rights of the domain holder, so make sure that holder is you [2].
6. Ask how they handle SEO
You do not need an SEO expert for a small business site, but the agency should build the basics in from the start: page titles and descriptions, a page per service, fast loading, mobile layout. If they cannot explain these simply, that is a warning sign. See SEO for a business website: where to start. Google's own advice on hiring help is clear: no one can guarantee a #1 ranking, and you should be wary of anyone who claims to [3].
7. Compare the total cost
Put the offers side by side and compare the total over two or three years, including everything after launch. Remember the difference between a cheap and a professional website often only shows later.
Choose the team you would be happy to call in a year, when you need a change or something goes wrong.
For the full list of questions, see 15 questions to ask before you hire a web designer, and before signing, what to check in a website contract. Not sure an agency is the right kind of partner at all? Compare freelancer, agency or website builder.
A simple checklist
Real work you can click through, clear answers about support, real people, a clear process, ownership in writing and an honest total price. If an agency ticks all six, you are in good hands. If you would like to see how we answer them, get in touch or look at our pricing.
References
- Google for Developers. "About PageSpeed Insights." developers.google.com
- ICANN. "Registrants' Benefits and Responsibilities." icann.org
- Google Search Central. "Do you need an SEO?" developers.google.com
