How to Choose a Web Agency or Developer — 10 Questions You Must Ask
Choosing a web agency or developer is an important business decision. A bad choice can mean lost money, time, and nerves. Here are 10 key questions that will help you make the right decision.
1. Can You Show Me Your Portfolio?
A portfolio speaks louder than any presentation. Look for: - Similar projects to yours (same industry or type of website) - Quality of design and user experience - Whether portfolio websites still work and look good - References from real clients
2. What Technologies Do You Use and Why?
A good developer won't use the same technology for all projects. Ask: - Why do they recommend this particular technology for your project? - What are the pros and cons? - Will you be able to find another developer if needed?
3. What Exactly is Included in the Price?
Clearly define the scope: - How many pages/screens? - Is design included? - CMS (ability to edit content)? - SEO optimization? - Responsive design? - How many design revisions? - Training for use?
4. What Are the Deadlines and Milestones?
Check: - When does work begin? - What are the project phases? - When are deliverables expected? - What if deadlines aren't met?
5. What Does the Communication Process Look Like?
Communication is key: - Which communication tools (email, Slack, WhatsApp)? - How often will you receive updates? - Who is your contact person? - How quickly do they respond to messages?
6. What About Hosting and Domain?
Clarify: - Is hosting included? - Which hosting provider? - Who owns the domain? - What are the monthly/annual costs?
7. Do You Offer Post-Development Maintenance?
A website requires regular maintenance: - Security updates - Backup - Uptime monitoring - Technical support - How much does monthly maintenance cost?
8. Who Owns the Code and Content?
This is CRITICAL: - You should own your code and content - Request this in the contract - If you end the collaboration, you must be able to take all files
9. How Do You Measure Project Success?
A good partner thinks about results: - Do they set up analytics (Google Analytics)? - Do they track conversions? - Do they offer performance reports?
10. Can You Give Me References?
Talk to previous clients: - How was the collaboration? - Were deadlines and budget met? - Would they hire them again? - How do they handle problems?
Red Flags — When NOT to Hire
Avoid if: - They can't show a portfolio or references - They promise unrealistically short deadlines - The price sounds too good to be true - They don't ask you questions about your business - They don't offer a contract - They don't think about SEO and performance - They only use ready-made templates without customization
Conclusion
Invest time in choosing the right partner. A good web developer or agency isn't just a contractor — they're your technology partner who understands your business and helps you grow. Price shouldn't be the only criterion — quality, communication, and long-term support are equally important.