The wrong web design company will cost you a year of momentum. The right one will pay for itself in months. Here's how to tell them apart before you sign anything.
The 10 questions to ask
1) Can I see live sites you've launched in the last 90 days? 2) What's included in the monthly fee vs. an add-on? 3) Who owns the content and design assets? 4) How fast do you make edit requests? 5) Do you handle SEO and GBP or subcontract? 6) How do you generate reviews? 7) What's your cancellation policy? 8) Do you build custom or use templates? 9) Can I speak to three current clients? 10) Who's my main contact — a project manager or a rotating support inbox?
Red flags
Vague pricing. Long contracts with big cancellation fees. No live portfolio. Slow response times during the sales process (they'll be worse after). "We'll get to that after launch." Templates disguised as custom design. No SEO or GBP included.
Green flags
$0 upfront or clear low-cost trial. Monthly plans with clear cancellation terms. Fast, human responses. Live portfolio with recent work. Included hosting, SEO and reviews. Clear ownership terms.
Frequently asked questions
Should I go with a freelancer or agency?
It depends. Freelancers are cheaper but hit capacity fast. Agencies are pricier but more sustainable. A modern monthly platform gives you both: agency-grade output at freelancer pricing.
Are long contracts ever OK?
Rarely for small businesses. Look for month-to-month with clear terms.
What's the biggest mistake small businesses make?
Buying on price alone. The cheapest option almost always costs more in lost customers than the more expensive one saves in upfront fees.