How to choose a web agency: 8 questions before you sign
Before you sign anything, run through these eight questions. Good partners are happy to answer them.
Choosing a web agency is a bigger decision than the price suggests — you're picking a partner you'll work with for months, who ends up holding your digital face. Here's a checklist.
1. Who owns the code and accounts?
The answer must be "you". Domain, hosting, analytics, repo — all in your name. If the agency keeps these, you're locked in.
2. Is the price fixed?
A fixed quote after scoping protects both sides. Hourly work with no cap is a risk.
3. What's included on SEO?
Minimum: clean structure, metadata, sitemap, speed, mobile, Search Console. Ask whether these are in the price or an add-on.
4. How fast and mobile-friendly will the site be?
Ask for examples of their past work and check them in PageSpeed Insights. A number says more than a promise.
5. How many languages?
If your audience is Estonian- and Russian-speaking, the site must support that with correct hreflang — not just a Google Translate widget.
6. What happens after launch?
How much do changes cost? Is there a maintenance plan? How fast do they respond to a security issue?
7. Do they say no?
A good partner tells you when something is a bad idea or when your budget doesn't cover the wish. "Yes to everything" is a bad sign.
8. Can you talk to them?
The language, response speed and whether they explain things clearly — these decide how painful the project is.
A cheap agency that won't answer these questions clearly ends up being expensive.