# How to choose the right website development agency

https://smartwebutah.com/website-development-agency/

Eight things to check before you hire someone to build your website, from their past work to what happens after launch and who owns the site.

December 3, 2023 · Seth Shoultes

 

Your website is often the first place a customer meets your business. Picking who builds it is a bit like picking the location for a shop: get it right and it works for you for years, get it wrong and you pay for it every day.

There are a lot of agencies out there, and they all say they are great. Here is what to check so you can tell them apart.

## 1\. Know what you want before you call anyone

You will get better answers, and fairer quotes, if you can say what the site is for. Before you talk to an agency, write down:

-   **The job of the site.** Bring in calls? Sell products? Answer questions so your phone rings less?
-   **What it needs to do.** A contact form, online booking, a shop, a blog, a photo gallery, a link to your customer system.
-   **Who it is for.** Describe your customers. A site for retirees looks different from one for busy contractors.
-   **How it should feel.** Your colors, logo and tone of voice. Bring any brand guidelines you have.
-   **Who will update it.** If you want to change the hours or add a photo yourself, ask for a system like [WordPress](https://wordpress.org/) that lets you do that without a developer.
-   **Your budget and deadline.** A real range helps the agency suggest something that fits.
-   **Where you are headed.** If you plan to add services or locations, the site should be able to grow with you.
-   **Anything sensitive.** If the site takes payments or personal details, say so up front. Security and any rules your industry has need to be planned in.

It also helps to note a few competitor sites you like or dislike, and why.

## 2\. Look closely at their past work

A portfolio shows you what an agency can actually do. When you look through it:

-   **Visit the real sites.** Do they load quickly? Do they work well on your phone?
-   **Check the variety.** Different industries and kinds of sites suggest they can adapt to you.
-   **Judge the design.** Is it easy to find things? Would you trust the business behind it?
-   **See if anything matches your style.** A good agency can work in many styles, but it is reassuring to see one close to yours.

If they have case studies, read what the client wanted, what the agency did, and what changed afterwards. Pay attention to how they handled problems along the way.

## 3\. Make sure they have both skill and taste

A good website needs someone who can build it properly and someone who can make it pleasant to use. Ask about both:

-   **Building.** Will it work on phones and tablets? Will it load quickly? How do they keep it secure? Do they test it in different browsers before launch?
-   **Design.** Do they think about how a visitor finds what they need, not just how it looks? Will it match your brand?
-   **Access for everyone.** Can people with disabilities use the sites they build?
-   **Search.** Do they build with search engines in mind from the start, so customers can find you?
-   **How they work.** Do they show you progress as they go, or disappear until the end?

## 4\. Pay attention to how they communicate

How an agency talks to you before you hire them is usually how they will talk to you after. Notice:

-   Do they reply promptly and clearly?
-   Do they ask good questions about your business, or just talk about themselves?
-   How often will you get updates, and how?
-   Can you talk to the people actually working on your site?
-   How do they handle feedback and changes? What happens if you disagree?

If they are in another time zone, think about whether that will make quick questions slow.

## 5\. Industry knowledge helps, but is not required

An agency does not need to specialise in your trade. But one that understands it will need less explaining, will know what your customers expect, and will know about any rules you have to follow. A real estate site needs a good property search; a shop needs a smooth checkout. Ask if they have built anything similar.

## 6\. Ask what happens after launch

A website is never finished. Software needs updating, things break, and you will want changes. Ask:

-   Who keeps the site updated and secure, and how often?
-   Do they back up the site regularly?
-   How do you ask for help (phone, email), and how quickly do they respond?
-   Will they show you how to make simple changes yourself?
-   What is included in the price, and what costs extra?

## 7\. Check reviews and talk to past clients

Do not take the agency’s word for it. Read reviews on Google and other sites, and notice how the agency responds to bad ones. One bad review is normal; the same complaint again and again is a warning.

Then ask for references and call them. Ask whether the project came in on time and on budget, how problems were handled, and whether they would hire the agency again. How long the agency has been around, and whether clients come back to them, also tells you a lot.

## 8\. Compare value, not just price

The cheapest quote is rarely the cheapest site. When you compare quotes:

-   **Make sure they cover the same work.** One may include hosting, updates and search setup; another may not.
-   **Ask for a breakdown.** Design, building, extra features and support should each be clear, with no hidden fees.
-   **Ask about payment.** Many agencies tie payments to stages of the project.
-   **Ask about any guarantee** on their work.
-   **Confirm you will own the site.** You should have full access to your website, your domain and your content when the project is done.

A site that is built well costs less to keep running and is less likely to need a full rebuild as your business grows.

## Take your time

This choice shapes how your business looks online for years. Do the homework, talk to a few agencies, and pick the one that listens to you and is clear about what you get.

If you would like to talk through your project, I am happy to help. Have a look at my [website design services](https://smartwebutah.com/website-design-services/) or [get in touch](https://smartwebutah.com/contact/).

## Want help with this?

Call or email and I'll tell you whether you need it.

[Talk to Seth](https://smartwebutah.com/contact/)

Or read [how I build and look after websites](https://smartwebutah.com/website-design-services/).