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10 critical questions to ask a web agency before hiring them
The web agency you choose to build your online presence should be your ally in achieving your marketing objectives. In recent years, the number of web development companies has grown significantly. So how do you decide which web agency to partner with? If all web agencies were tasked with delivering the same project, the approach and guidance throughout the process would make the difference for a company looking for the best partner.
When selecting a web agency, the procedure is quite similar to hiring a new employee. You ask questions to see if the person aligns with your business goals and to evaluate whether their knowledge and expertise meet your requirements and expectations.
The same applies to a web agency. You need to understand how they handle the challenges you present to them.
We’ve compiled a list of questions you can ask when hiring a web agency.
Question 1: Can I see examples of projects with similar objectives?
Question 2: What is the payment procedure? Do you stick to the approved budget?
Ask the agency about the costs they charge for a project. A website can cost anywhere from €1,000 to €100,000. The risk of not discussing this beforehand is that the agency might provide a price before starting your project and increase it during the website development process. To avoid such situations, clearly communicate your expectations to the agency.
To ensure that the work meets expectations, deadlines are met, and the project stays within budget, web agencies usually draft a detailed project plan. This helps them organize the workflow and budget effectively. Additionally, hourly rates may apply if you decide to implement extra changes in the future.
Question 3: Can you provide references and feedback from previous clients?
The second most important question to ask when considering hiring a web design agency is about their reliability. You need to be certain that you can trust the team and the agency’s expertise to deliver the expected results for your project.
If the agency is able to retain clients and maintain stable working relationships, this is proof of their reliability and that their work meets client expectations.
Question 4: What is the estimated time to build the website?
This is a question where references can also be helpful. You can ask known clients about the timeframes the agency provided and whether deadlines were met. Based on agreed project specifications, the agency should be able to give an estimated completion time for the project.
If the agency has built websites for other companies in your industry, there’s a good chance they’ve already encountered potential challenges, which could lead to faster delivery. If production takes longer than expected, ask what measures they take in such situations.
Question 5: How do you measure results?
Since a company’s website is a direct marketing tool, it is crucial to understand how the web agency plans to generate leads. You should expect to hear terms such as lower bounce rates, increased organic traffic, more conversions, and higher Google rankings for multiple keywords. These terms indicate that the agency understands the importance of an SEO-optimized website and can implement all aspects needed to achieve your goals.
Question 6: How many design revisions are allowed? What happens if I don’t like the initial design?
Some agencies allow only a limited number of design revisions per project, while others permit as many as necessary until the client is satisfied with the final result. If you have reviewed the agency’s portfolio and liked their previous work, there is a good chance they will quickly come up with a design you’ll be happy with.
Question 7: Is there copyright on the site design, and who owns it?
Many web designers claim copyright on their unique work. Ask the agency about their policy and negotiate with them to ensure that you own all the rights to the illustrations and content on your site.
Question 8: What will you do to optimize the website?
Search engine optimization (SEO) has evolved significantly over the years. While it used to be a primarily technical process, SEO now revolves around having the right content on your website. It’s important that your site features content sought by your target audience. Ask the agency how they plan to ensure the right content is present on your site and how they will handle the technical aspects of SEO optimization.
Question 9: Do you build responsive websites?
Responsive websites are those that can be easily viewed, with user experience unaffected by the screen size of the device. It’s crucial to understand how the agency will address this task and ensure your website is mobile-friendly and properly displayed across all devices.
Question 10: Who owns the website after completion? Do you offer maintenance and hosting services?
Ensure that the domain of the website is registered in your name to avoid future complications. For instance, if the agency closes down, you could face challenges transferring ownership of the domain name.
Many web agencies offer ongoing maintenance plans and hosting services. By asking this question, you gain insight into what you can expect from the agency for future collaboration. Website maintenance is crucial to ensure your online presence stays aligned with the latest technology.
Web hosting can either be managed by the agency that built your site or by other hosting providers.
Conclusion
These are some of the most important questions to ask before hiring a web agency. Conducting thorough research will help you make the best decision. There are many web agencies in the market, and seeking recommendations and feedback will also pay off.
Curious about how we can assist you as a marketing agency? The marketing specialists at Hybrid are ready to help.
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