Hiring a company for website design is harder than it should be. Prices for what looks like the same website can range from a few hundred dollars to tens of thousands. Every agency says they’re “results-driven”. And you often don’t find out what you actually bought until months later.
These twelve questions will help you compare website design companies properly, spot red flags early, and pick one that fits your business. They work whether you’re a small business, a growing company or a large organisation.
Before you contact anyone
Write down three things first:
- The goal. More calls? Online sales? Recruiting? Credibility with investors?
- The must-haves. Number of pages, booking, ecommerce, integrations, languages.
- A rough budget. Even a range helps companies suggest the right option.
With this, you can compare quotes like for like instead of being sold whatever each agency prefers to build.
The 12 questions to ask
1. Can I see websites you’ve built for businesses like mine?
Look at live sites, not just screenshots. Open them on your phone. Are they fast? Is it clear what each business does? Would you contact them?
2. Who will actually work on my project?
Some agencies sell the project and hand it to freelancers or offshore teams you never meet. That isn’t always bad, but you should know who’s designing and building your site, and who you’ll talk to.
3. Is the price fixed, and what exactly does it include?
Ask for a written scope: number of pages, design rounds, features, SEO setup, content, hosting and support. Hourly billing with no cap is how budgets double.
4. Who owns the website, domain and hosting?
You should. The domain should be registered in your name, and you should have full admin access. Be careful with companies that keep everything on their own account and charge you to leave.
5. How long will it take?
A small business site can take anywhere from a week to a couple of months depending on the company and how quickly you supply content. Ask for a launch date in writing and what could delay it. Our guide on how long it takes to build a website explains typical timelines.
6. Is SEO included, and what does that mean?
“SEO-friendly” can mean anything. Ask specifically about page titles, meta descriptions, heading structure, speed optimisation, schema markup and Search Console setup. These should be part of the build, not an expensive add-on later. We explain why on our SEO website design page.
7. Will I be able to update the site myself?
If every text change needs a developer, you’ll pay for it forever. Ask which content management system they use, and whether they’ll show you how to edit it.
8. How many design revisions do I get?
Most companies include a set number of revision rounds. Know the limit before you start so you’re not surprised by extra charges.
9. Who writes the content?
Many projects stall waiting for text and photos. Ask whether copywriting is included, optional or entirely up to you.
10. What happens after launch?
Ask about hosting, security updates, backups and support. What’s included, for how long, and what it costs afterwards.
11. How will we communicate?
Email, calls, WhatsApp, a project tool? How fast do they usually reply? If they’re in another time zone, when can you reach them?
12. Can I speak to a past client?
Good companies are happy to connect you with a client or point you to independent reviews on Google, Clutch or similar platforms.
Red flags to watch for
- Guaranteed first-page Google rankings. Nobody can promise that.
- A very low price with no clear scope.
- No portfolio, or a portfolio of sites that no longer exist.
- Pressure to sign immediately with a “today only” discount.
- Contracts that lock you in for years or keep the domain in their name.
- Vague answers about who does the work.
Agency, freelancer or DIY?
A freelancer can be great value for a simple site, but you depend on one person’s availability. A traditional agency brings a full team but often at a much higher price and slower pace. DIY builders like Wix or Squarespace are cheapest in money but cost time, and they’re harder to grow with. A small, focused studio sits in the middle: a team for design, development and SEO, with a fixed price and faster delivery.
What should a website cost?
It depends on size, features and who builds it. Our website cost guide breaks down realistic prices for 2026. For reference, our own small business websites start at $1,199 in the USA and CA$949 in Canada, with on-page SEO included.
A simple way to decide
- Shortlist three companies whose past work you like.
- Send each the same brief.
- Compare written scopes, not just prices.
- Ask the twelve questions above.
- Pick the one with the clearest answers, not the slickest pitch.
If you’d like us to be one of your three, send us your brief. We’ll reply with a fixed price and timeline, usually the same day.
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