Choosing a website partner is hard because every agency site says roughly the same thing. The difference shows up in how they answer specific questions about process, ownership and what happens after launch.
Use these twelve questions on your shortlist. The answers will tell you more than any portfolio, and they work just as well if you are talking to a freelancer.
Key takeaways
- ✓Be clear on your goals and budget before you shortlist anyone.
- ✓Ask who owns the code, domain and accounts, and get the answer in writing.
- ✓A good partner explains testing, SEO and support without being asked twice.
Before you shortlist
Write a one-page brief: what the site needs to achieve, who it is for, the pages and features you expect, your timeline and a budget range. Agencies can only quote accurately against a clear brief, and it lets you compare their answers fairly.
Questions about their work
- ✓1. Can you show work similar to our project, and explain the problem each project solved?
- ✓2. Who will actually work on our site, and will we speak to them directly?
- ✓3. How do you decide on the technology or platform, and why would you recommend it for us?
Questions about process
- ✓4. What are the stages of the project, and what do you need from us at each one?
- ✓5. How many rounds of design revisions are included?
- ✓6. How do you test the site before launch, and on which devices and browsers?
- ✓7. How do you handle SEO, accessibility and page speed?
Questions about ownership, cost and support
- ✓8. Will we own the code, the domain and the hosting and CMS accounts?
- ✓9. Is the quote itemised, and what is not included?
- ✓10. How are changes to the scope priced once the project starts?
- ✓11. What support do you offer after launch, and what does it cost?
- ✓12. If we stop working together, how do we take the site elsewhere?
Red flags in proposals
Be careful with quotes that give one total and no breakdown, promises of guaranteed rankings, vague answers about who owns the site, and no mention of testing. None of these mean an agency is dishonest, but they often lead to disagreements later.
It is also fair to ask how a team would handle something going wrong. Good partners talk openly about problems they have solved, because every project has some. You can see how we run projects on our process page and our website development service page.
Freelancer, agency or in-house?
A freelancer can be a good fit for a small, well-defined site. An agency brings design, development, testing and marketing together, which helps when the project spans several skills or you need ongoing support. An in-house team makes sense when the website or product is the business itself and changes constantly.
Modus Venture is a US-founded creative digital agency. If you would rather have an experienced team handle this for you, see our website development services.