Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Web Design Company
Not All Web Design Companies Are the Same—Ask the Right Questions First
Hiring a web design company can feel overwhelming, especially if it’s your first time. With so many options, how do you know you’re making the right choice? The truth is, asking the right questions upfront can save you time, money, and a ton of frustration later. Before you sign any contracts or send payment, here’s what you should be asking.
1. What’s Included in the Price—and What’s Not?
One of the biggest surprises clients face is hidden fees. Ask for a complete breakdown of what's included in your package. Does the price include revisions, hosting, SEO, mobile optimization, and ongoing support? If something sounds vague, press for clarity. A reputable company won’t hesitate to show you exactly what you're getting.
2. Can I See Real Examples of Your Work?
A polished portfolio should show more than just good design—it should reflect diversity in style, functionality, and industry. Ask to see real, live websites they've built, not just screenshots. Bonus points if they can walk you through a project that started with a problem similar to yours and show how they solved it.
3. Who Will Actually Be Working on My Site?
Will your project be handled in-house or outsourced overseas? Who's the point of contact? The best web design companies introduce you to your actual project manager or designer and explain the workflow. Avoid the bait-and-switch: some companies sell you on a senior strategist but assign a junior freelancer.
4. What Happens After Launch?
Websites need regular updates, maintenance, and performance monitoring. Ask what kind of support is offered post-launch. Will they be available for bug fixes, content updates, or SEO tuning? If they vanish the moment your site goes live, you could be stuck managing things you’re not prepared for.
5. How Will You Help Me Get Results?
A beautiful website that doesn’t generate leads or sales is a waste. Ask how they plan to structure your site for conversions. Do they offer analytics tracking, SEO integration, or user experience (UX) testing? A strong web design company focuses on performance—not just design.
6. What’s the Timeline and Milestone Structure?
Always ask how long the process takes and what the milestones are. You’ll want to know when you’ll see drafts, when feedback is expected, and when final delivery occurs. If the company can't provide a clear project timeline, it’s a red flag for poor communication and possible delays.
7. Can I Make My Own Updates?
Some agencies lock you into platforms where only they can make changes. Ask if you’ll have backend access to make minor edits or if every update requires going through their team. Flexibility is key if you want to stay agile with promotions, content, or services.
8. What’s Your Communication Process?
Great communication makes everything smoother. Will you be using email, a project management system, scheduled calls, or Slack? Make sure you’re comfortable with their communication style and availability. Nothing is more frustrating than radio silence when you're waiting for an update.
9. Are There Any Long-Term Contracts or Commitments?
Don’t assume everything is month-to-month or one-and-done. Some web design companies include mandatory 6- or 12-month maintenance plans. Be clear on what's optional, what's required, and what happens if you decide to part ways.
10. How Do You Measure Success?
Finally, ask how they’ll determine if the project is successful. Are they focused on traffic, user engagement, or conversion rates? A company that talks metrics is a company that values results—not just pretty visuals.
Asking these questions gives you power, protection, and peace of mind. The right web design company will be happy to answer them all—and back their answers with proof.
Schedule Your Free Custom Website to see how our team would approach your website strategy—no pressure, no commitment, just results.
$P.S. If you're still exploring what separates a great agency from an average one, check out our in-depth guide: What to Look for in a Top Web Design Company.
Hiring a web design company can feel overwhelming, especially if it’s your first time. With so many options, how do you know you’re making the right choice? The truth is, asking the right questions upfront can save you time, money, and a ton of frustration later. Before you sign any contracts or send payment, here’s what you should be asking.
1. What’s Included in the Price—and What’s Not?
One of the biggest surprises clients face is hidden fees. Ask for a complete breakdown of what's included in your package. Does the price include revisions, hosting, SEO, mobile optimization, and ongoing support? If something sounds vague, press for clarity. A reputable company won’t hesitate to show you exactly what you're getting.
2. Can I See Real Examples of Your Work?
A polished portfolio should show more than just good design—it should reflect diversity in style, functionality, and industry. Ask to see real, live websites they've built, not just screenshots. Bonus points if they can walk you through a project that started with a problem similar to yours and show how they solved it.
3. Who Will Actually Be Working on My Site?
Will your project be handled in-house or outsourced overseas? Who's the point of contact? The best web design companies introduce you to your actual project manager or designer and explain the workflow. Avoid the bait-and-switch: some companies sell you on a senior strategist but assign a junior freelancer.
4. What Happens After Launch?
Websites need regular updates, maintenance, and performance monitoring. Ask what kind of support is offered post-launch. Will they be available for bug fixes, content updates, or SEO tuning? If they vanish the moment your site goes live, you could be stuck managing things you’re not prepared for.
5. How Will You Help Me Get Results?
A beautiful website that doesn’t generate leads or sales is a waste. Ask how they plan to structure your site for conversions. Do they offer analytics tracking, SEO integration, or user experience (UX) testing? A strong web design company focuses on performance—not just design.
6. What’s the Timeline and Milestone Structure?
Always ask how long the process takes and what the milestones are. You’ll want to know when you’ll see drafts, when feedback is expected, and when final delivery occurs. If the company can't provide a clear project timeline, it’s a red flag for poor communication and possible delays.
7. Can I Make My Own Updates?
Some agencies lock you into platforms where only they can make changes. Ask if you’ll have backend access to make minor edits or if every update requires going through their team. Flexibility is key if you want to stay agile with promotions, content, or services.
8. What’s Your Communication Process?
Great communication makes everything smoother. Will you be using email, a project management system, scheduled calls, or Slack? Make sure you’re comfortable with their communication style and availability. Nothing is more frustrating than radio silence when you're waiting for an update.
9. Are There Any Long-Term Contracts or Commitments?
Don’t assume everything is month-to-month or one-and-done. Some web design companies include mandatory 6- or 12-month maintenance plans. Be clear on what's optional, what's required, and what happens if you decide to part ways.
10. How Do You Measure Success?
Finally, ask how they’ll determine if the project is successful. Are they focused on traffic, user engagement, or conversion rates? A company that talks metrics is a company that values results—not just pretty visuals.
Asking these questions gives you power, protection, and peace of mind. The right web design company will be happy to answer them all—and back their answers with proof.
Schedule Your Free Custom Website to see how our team would approach your website strategy—no pressure, no commitment, just results.
$P.S. If you're still exploring what separates a great agency from an average one, check out our in-depth guide: What to Look for in a Top Web Design Company.