Website quotes vary a lot, in price and above all in what is included. These questions help you find out whether someone is a good fit.
Before the first call
- Is there work you can look at, on mobile too?
- Is the website designed individually or built from a ready-made template?
- Who is your contact person, and how do you reach them?
About the quote
- Does it state in writing which pages and features are included?
- How many rounds of feedback are planned?
- Who writes the copy, and who takes care of images?
- What does it cost if something is added later?
After launch
- Do you own the domain, the content and the logins?
- Who takes care of hosting, updates and backups?
- Can you make small changes yourself, or is there a support plan for that?
Freelancer or agency?
Both can work well. With a freelancer you usually talk directly to the person who designs and builds, which keeps communication short. An agency has more people and can handle large projects in parallel, but conversations often go through a project manager. More important than size is whether the way of working suits you and whether someone stays reachable.
How to check references
- Open the examples on your phone, that is where most of your visitors are.
- Notice how fast the pages load and how easy it is to get in touch.
- Ask what exactly the provider did on the project: design, copy, development or everything.
- A reference from your industry is nice but not necessary. What matters is whether the pages feel clear and well thought out.
Warning signs
- Guaranteed rankings on Google. Nobody can promise that.
- The domain is registered to the provider instead of you.
- Long contract terms that were not mentioned in the conversation.
- No written scope, just an hourly rate without a framework.
- Evasive answers to the question of what happens after launch.
Make the most of the intro call
A good intro call is about your business and your customers, not about technology. Afterwards you should know how the project works, who your contact is and what you need to contribute. If you have more questions after the call than before, that tells you something.
A good sign is when someone also tells you what you do not need. A bad sign is evasive answers to these questions.
