Hiring a web design agency or deciding to hire a website designer is a big step for any business. Your website is often the first place people interact with your brand, and a good design can make the difference between winning a customer and losing one. But not every agency works the same way. Some focus only on design, while others also handle development, SEO, and long-term support. That’s why asking the right questions before you sign a contract is so important.
The following 45 questions will help you dig deeper into what an agency really offers, how they manage projects, and whether they can deliver results that align with your business goals. From understanding the services they provide to checking how they handle timelines, costs, SEO, security, and ongoing support, these questions give you a clear picture of what to expect.
Whether you’re building your first website or redesigning an existing one, this list will guide you in choosing a web design company that not only creates a site that looks great but also performs well, attracts customers, and grows with your business.
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Hiring a web design agency is a big decision because your website is often the first impression people have of your business. Not every agency works the same way, so asking the right questions before you sign a contract can save you time, money, and frustration. The goal is to find out not only what they can build, but also how they work, how they communicate, and whether their process aligns with your business goals. By asking about their services, experience, design approach, pricing, and ongoing support, you’ll be able to choose an agency that delivers a site that looks great, performs well, and grows with your business.
Before choosing a web design agency, ask these 45 questions to understand their services, process, costs, and long-term support. These will help you find the right partner for a website that not only looks great but also delivers real results.
Not all web design agencies provide the same services, so it’s important to ask what’s included. Some focus only on design, while others also offer development, SEO, or ongoing support. For example, our team delivers:
Ensuring your site is built to meet both your current needs and future growth.
Most web design agencies offer both options, and the choice depends on your business goals and budget. A custom-designed website is built from scratch, giving you a unique look, full control over features, and the ability to scale as your business grows. On the other hand, a template-based website is more affordable and quicker to launch, but it may feel limited in design and functionality. The best approach is to discuss your needs with the agency, compare the pros and cons of each option, and request a clear cost breakdown before deciding which is right for you.
Yes, asking to see examples of past websites is one of the best ways to judge a web design agency’s skills. A good portfolio shows you their design style, creativity, and whether they can adapt to different industries. When reviewing examples, pay attention to how modern the designs look, how easy the navigation is, and whether each site feels aligned with the business it represents. Don’t be afraid to ask why certain choices were made sometimes, a simple design is intentional to meet a client’s specific goals. Seeing real work not only proves experience but also helps you decide if the agency’s style matches what you’re looking for.
A strong web design agency should be able to show more than just pretty websites, they should provide proof that their designs deliver results. Case studies highlight how a website helped a business grow, whether through higher sales, more leads, or better conversion rates. When reviewing case studies, look for specific numbers such as percentage increases in traffic or revenue, rather than vague claims. This shows you exactly how effective the agency’s work has been and gives you confidence that they can achieve similar results for your business.
A good web design agency should focus on more than just how your website looks, they should build it to generate real business results. Profit-driven design often includes clear calls to action, easy navigation, fast loading speeds, and layouts that highlight your most important offers or services. Strategies might include adding contact details in visible places, featuring promotions on key pages, or using engaging visuals that connect with your audience. Every element of the site should guide visitors toward taking action, whether that’s making a purchase, booking a service, or contacting your business. By asking this question, you’ll learn how the agency plans to align its design with your revenue goals.
If you already have a website, a good agency should analyze it before starting a redesign. Not every page may need to be rebuilt, some might already perform well and bring in traffic or conversions. By reviewing your site’s strengths and weaknesses, including design, speed, SEO, and user behavior, the agency can decide what to keep, what to improve, and what to completely change. This approach saves time, protects what’s working, and ensures the redesign focuses on boosting results rather than starting from scratch.
It’s useful to know if a web design agency has built sites for companies like yours before. Industry experience can be a plus because they already understand common needs, but you also want reassurance that your site won’t look like your competitors’. Ask how they ensure your design is tailored and original.
For a structured way to align your goals with an agency’s process, check our Web Design Agency Alignment: 4-Step Checklist.
Strong project management keeps everything on track. A good agency should outline its process from planning through design, development, and launch. Ask if you’ll have a dedicated contact, how often you’ll get updates, and what tools or systems they use to share progress.
A successful website isn’t just about looks, it should be built on strategy. The agency should study your business, target customers, and competitors before designing. This research ensures your site is designed to meet your goals and stand out in your market.
Depending on the scope, your website may involve a designer, developer, copywriter, and SEO specialist. Ask who will be working on each part of the project so you know what skills and expertise are behind your site.
The people behind your website matter. Request examples of their past work, ask about technical expertise, and check if they’ve worked on projects similar to yours. This will help you feel confident that the team has the right mix of creativity and technical knowledge.
Project timelines vary depending on the size and complexity of your site. Ask for an estimated schedule with clear milestones, and check what happens if delays occur. This gives you a realistic picture of when your site will go live.
Most websites include pages like Home, About, Services, and Contact. But depending on your business, you may also need a blog, gallery, or e-commerce pages. Discuss this early so you know exactly what’s included in your design package.
A good agency should involve you throughout the process. They should ask about your brand, goals, and preferences, then present design drafts for your feedback. This collaboration ensures the final website matches your vision.
Design is a process, and sometimes the first draft isn’t the final one. Ask about their revision policy, most agencies include a set number of changes or rounds of feedback until you’re satisfied with the look.
Agencies usually need your text, images, logos, and brand guidelines. If you don’t have content ready, ask if they provide copywriting, photography, or stock images. Clear expectations will make the project run more smoothly.
Your site should be built with the future in mind. Ask if the design is scalable, so you can add new services, products, or features later without needing a complete redesign.
Many agencies offer logo design as part of a package or for an extra fee. If you need branding support, ask to see examples of their past logo work to check if their style fits your business.
High-quality visuals make a big difference. Ask if the agency provides stock photos, connects you with photographers, or edits images you already have. Make sure they use licensed images to avoid copyright issues.
Consistency matters. If you already have branding in place, your website should reflect it. Ask how the agency will ensure your colors, fonts, and messaging stay aligned with your overall brand.
Some agencies outsource coding, content, or design. This isn’t always a bad thing, but you’ll want to know who is doing the work and how quality is managed. Transparency here helps build trust.
Pricing structures vary. Some agencies charge a flat fee, while others bill hourly. Ask how they calculate costs and make sure the pricing matches the scope and quality of work being offered.
“If you’d like a deeper breakdown of pricing structures and what extra charges may apply, check out our detailed guide: How Much Do Agencies Charge for Website Design.”
Always get a detailed breakdown of what you’re paying for. Some packages include design, development, and basic SEO, while others may charge extra for hosting, security, or support.
Sometimes projects change mid-way. Ask how the agency handles additional requests, whether they bill hourly, per feature, or under a new contract. This prevents surprises later.
Mobile compatibility is essential. Confirm the agency uses responsive design so your site looks and works well on desktops, tablets, and smartphones.
Modern websites should be optimized for search from the start. Ask how they handle technical SEO like site structure, loading speed, and metadata to help your site rank.
If search traffic is a goal, keywords matter. Some agencies do keyword research, while others recommend hiring an SEO specialist. Ask how they approach keyword planning during the design.
If you want long-term visibility, you may need more than just technical SEO. Ask if the agency provides ongoing SEO, content optimization, or link-building as part of their services.
A/B testing compares two versions of a page to see which performs better. Ask if the agency offers this service after launch to help improve conversions and user experience.
The CMS is what you’ll use to update your site. Ask if they build on platforms like WordPress, Shopify, or a custom CMS, and whether you’ll receive training to use it.
If you sell products or services online, confirm that the agency provides e-commerce features like shopping carts, payment processing, and inventory management.
Ask if the agency follows modern web development standards, like W3C guidelines. This ensures your site works across browsers and devices without technical issues.
Some hosting includes shared IPs, while others provide unique ones. A dedicated IP can be better for email reputation and sometimes SEO, so it’s worth asking.
Before launch, your site needs a domain. Ask if the agency can register it for you, how long it will be secured, and whether it will be registered in your name.
Most agencies provide access to a staging site so you can track progress and give feedback along the way. This ensures there are no surprises at launch.
Testing is essential for a smooth launch. Ask if they check browser compatibility, forms, links, mobile responsiveness, and site speed before going live.
When a new site replaces an old one, downtime can happen. Ask how the agency handles transitions and what steps they take to keep disruption minimal.
Ownership matters. Make sure your domain, hosting, and site files are registered in your name. Ask if you’ll receive full access to your website and all its source files.
Some agencies retain rights to custom graphics or logos. Clarify ownership upfront so you know whether you’ll have full control of the artwork once the project is complete.
Many agencies offer hosting services. If they do, ask about speed, uptime, support, and whether hosting includes a dedicated IP or security features. Compare it to other hosting providers before deciding.
Social media integration is a must. Ask if they’ll add links, feeds, or sharing tools to connect your site with platforms like Facebook, Instagram, or LinkedIn.
Websites need regular updates to stay secure and functional. Ask if the agency offers maintenance packages, whether as one-off fixes, monthly plans, or ongoing retainers.
A good agency should monitor results through tools like Google Analytics. Ask what metrics they track, such as traffic, leads, or conversions, and how often they’ll share reports.
You should have direct access to your website’s data. Ask if they’ll set up an analytics dashboard or provide logins so you can view performance anytime.
A website doesn’t end at launch, you’ll need to know how to update content, manage images, or add new pages. A good agency should offer training sessions, user guides, or ongoing support so you can confidently manage your site. Ask how they’ll prepare you or your team to take control after handover.
Hiring a web design agency is more than just finding someone who can make a site look good, it’s about choosing a partner who understands your business goals and can deliver measurable results. By asking these 45 questions, you’ll uncover how each agency works, what they prioritize, and whether they’re the right fit for your vision.
A strong website should not only represent your brand but also attract customers, generate leads, and grow with your business over time. The right agency will be transparent, collaborative, and focused on building a site that drives success. Take the time to ask the right questions now, and you’ll save yourself stress later, while ending up with a website that truly works for your business.
Looking for more resources on finding the best web design partner? Check out these helpful guides:
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