Anyone can put together a template and call themselves an agency. The difference shows up months later, when you need a change, a fix or a new feature. These are the questions that separate a reliable partner from a risky one.
Ask to see real, live work
Do not settle for screenshots. Ask for live links and open them on your phone. Check how fast they load, whether the layout holds up, and whether each site looks made for its client or copied from a template. If possible, ask to speak to one past client.
Ask who will actually work on your project
Some agencies sell you with senior people and hand the work to juniors or outsource it. Ask who designs, who writes the code, and who you will talk to day to day. A small team that answers clearly is better than a big one that cannot.
Ask what you will own at the end
You should own your domain, your hosting account and your source code. Get this in writing. If an agency keeps these under its own name, moving away later becomes painful.
Ask how changes and delays are handled
Every project changes along the way. A good agency explains how change requests are priced, how many rounds of revisions are included, and what happens if the timeline slips.
Ask what happens after launch
Websites need updates, backups, security patches and sometimes quick fixes. Ask whether support is included, for how long, and what a monthly maintenance plan costs.
Watch for red flags
- A guaranteed number one ranking on Google
- A quote far lower than every other quote
- No written scope, contract or timeline
- Pressure to pay everything upfront
- Vague answers about technology and hosting
The simple test
Ask the agency to explain your project back to you in plain language. If they understand your business and your customers, the website will usually follow. If they jump straight to templates and prices, keep looking.