Choosing a Web Design Agency? 16 Questions to Consider

Hiring a web design agency is a major decision that can significantly influence your brand’s online success. Whether you’re launching your first website or redesigning an outdated one, finding the right partner requires more than a quick Google search.

To help guide you, here’s a comprehensive list of the top questions to ask any web design agency—so you can confidently select a partner that fits your business goals and growth plans.

• A successful website project starts with strategic planning and clear communication.
• Ask about content ownership, design flexibility, and post-launch support early in the process.
• Choose a web agency that prioritises SEO, mobile responsiveness, and ADA compliance.
• Clarify expectations on timelines, revisions, and project management before signing any contract.
• The right agency is a long-term partner, not just a one-off service provider.

Table of Contents

• Key Takeaways
• Why Choosing the Right Web Design Agency Matters
• Planning Phase Questions
• Design and Development Considerations
• Post-Launch and Ongoing Support
• Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Your website isn’t just a digital business card—it’s a sales engine, customer service portal, and brand ambassador all in one. The web design agency you hire will determine whether your website becomes a powerful lead-generating machine—or a costly mistake.

A professional agency should take the time to understand your brand, conduct market research, and align with your business goals. That all starts with asking the right questions.

1. How will you research and understand our business?

A strategic website starts with in-depth discovery. Ask if the agency will research your:

• Industry trends
• Competitors
• Target audience personas
• Keyword opportunities

This ensures your website is designed with purpose and performs well in search results.

2. Do you manage everything in-house or outsource?

It’s essential to know who’s doing the work. Outsourcing may cause:

• Communication delays
• Hidden costs
• Quality control issues

Choose a team that handles design, development, and content internally—or be clear on who the external collaborators are.

3. What does your project management process look like?

Find out:

• Whether there will be a single point of contact
• How milestones are tracked
• What tools (e.g. Trello, Asana) are used
• How often you’ll receive progress updates

A well-defined process leads to fewer surprises and smoother communication.

4. Will our website integrate with our CRM?

• Your website should help automate lead tracking. Ask:
• Will the contact forms sync with your CRM?
• Will they help you choose a CRM if you don’t have one?
• Can they optimise your sales funnel?

5. What do we need to provide?

Prepare for branding assets like:

• Logos
• Fonts
• Colour palette
• Written content

Content creation can be time-consuming. Ask if the agency can support copywriting, or at least provide SEO-friendly content frameworks.

6. How long will the project take?

On average, a custom website takes 3–6 months. Ask:

• What’s the estimated timeline?
• What milestones should we expect?
• What happens if either party misses a deadline?

7. Do you build custom websites or use templates?

Understand the pros and cons:

• Templates: Cheaper, quicker, but may be bloated and hard to scale
• Custom builds: Tailored, SEO-friendly, scalable, longer-lasting

If SEO, speed, and long-term growth matter, a custom website is usually the better investment.

8. What CMS will you use?

Open-source CMS options like WordPress offer:

• Flexibility
• Ownership
• No licensing fees

Avoid proprietary platforms that limit your control or charge ongoing access fees.

9. Do you optimise for mobile and SEO from the start?

Ask specifically:

• Are websites responsive across all devices?
• What is the average mobile loading speed?
• How do you handle title tags, meta descriptions, and schema markup?

10. Will the site be ADA compliant?

Ensure your website is accessible to people with disabilities. Accessibility isn’t just ethical—it’s a legal requirement in Australia and many other regions. Ask:

• Will the design meet WCAG standards?
• How is accessibility tested?

11. What security measures are included?

Security protects both you and your users. Ask about:

• SSL certificates
• Firewall and malware protection
• CMS/plugin update schedules
• Backup frequency and recovery procedures

12. Can we track progress during the project?

Transparency is key. Your agency should:

• Share access to staging sites
• Provide regular updates
• Welcome feedback along the way

13. How many design revisions are included?

Clarify:

• How many rounds of revisions are included
• Whether extra revisions incur a cost
• At what stages feedback is expected

14. Will our current website be affected during development?

Ideally, the new website should be built in a staging environment. This means:

• Your current site stays live
• No disruptions to business operations
• A smoother launch when ready

15. Do you perform quality assurance testing?

Before going live, your website should be tested for:

• Browser compatibility
• Mobile responsiveness
• Broken links and buttons
• Speed and performance

Quality assurance ensures your website makes a strong first impression.

16. Will we own the website after launch?

Ask:

• Who owns the domain, design, and content?
• Will you have full admin access?
• Are source files and login credentials provided?
• Also, find out:
• Can you make simple updates (e.g. blog posts, page edits)?
• Will you need to rely on the agency for every change?

What should I look for in a web design agency?

Look for a team with:

• A solid portfolio of similar projects
• Transparent pricing and timelines
• SEO and mobile optimisation expertise
• A collaborative, communicative approach

How much should a website design project cost?

Costs vary based on complexity. Expect:

• Template sites: $3,000–$8,000
• Custom designs: $10,000–$30,000+

Ask for a detailed quote upfront.

Should I choose a local agency?

A local agency makes in-person meetings easier but isn’t always necessary. Prioritise communication, trust, and expertise over proximity.

Can I maintain the website myself?

Yes—if it’s built with a user-friendly CMS like WordPress and you’re given admin access. Confirm whether training is included.

How long does a typical web design project take?

A full website build usually takes 3–6 months, depending on size, feedback cycles, and content readiness.

Ask the proper questions and pick the most qualified agency.

Making the decision on who is best suited to design your website and who you want to collaborate with on the project goes much beyond evaluating their technical talents and knowledge. Asking excellent questions and listening carefully for excellent responses are critical components of the selection process.

When it comes to WordPress websites, we specialise in creating strategy- and purpose-driven, high conversion websites for organisations who see their website as a critical sales lead generating tool. Call our web design agency and we’ll help your business transition onto the digital platform seamlessly.