Why the wrong choice is expensive
A website redo two years in is not just a design cost - it is lost leads, lost rankings, and lost time. Picking the right partner upfront saves all three.
1. Look past the portfolio's best five projects
Ask to see a project that is at least a year old and still live. Agencies show their newest, shiniest work by default - the older projects tell you whether the site holds up after launch day.
2. Ask who actually writes the code
Many agencies subcontract development. There is nothing wrong with that, but you should know who you are actually working with, and who you call when something breaks.
3. Understand the process before you sign
A good process looks roughly like: discovery call, sitemap and wireframes, design mockups, development, review rounds, testing, launch. If an agency cannot explain their process in one sentence, that is a warning sign.
4. Clarify what happens after launch
Who updates the site next month? Is hosting included? Is there a support retainer? Get this in writing before you start, not after.
5. Compare value, not just price
The cheapest quote is rarely the cheapest outcome once you account for rebuilds, missed deadlines and lost traffic from a slow, poorly structured site.
Questions worth asking on your first call
- Can I see a live site you built more than 12 months ago?
- What does your typical timeline look like from kickoff to launch?
- Who owns the code and the domain once the project is done?
- What is included after launch, and what costs extra?
If an agency answers these clearly and confidently, you are in good hands.