Having a new website built is an investment. Not just financially, but also in time and energy. The difference between a smooth project and a frustrating process largely depends on the partner you choose.
In this article we share our honest view on what to look for when choosing a web agency. No sales pitches — just practical advice.
1. Look beyond the portfolio
Every web agency has a portfolio with their best work. But a portfolio does not tell you the whole story.
Ask further:
- How did the collaboration go? Was the project on time and within budget?
- Can you speak with a reference? An agency with good client relationships will gladly connect you.
- What is behind the nice design? Ask about the PageSpeed score. A website that looks great but takes 8 seconds to load is not professional.
2. Watch for price transparency
This is perhaps the biggest red flag in the industry: agencies that refuse to give a price indication until you "come in for a chat first".
Good agencies are transparent about their prices. They publish packages, hourly rates or price indications on their website. They explain what is included and what is not.
3. Do they understand your business?
A good web agency asks questions. Lots of questions. About your target audience, your competitors, your goals. A website is not a goal in itself — it is a means to achieve your business objectives.
4. Ask about the process
A professional agency has a clear process. They can tell you exactly:
- Which steps the project goes through
- When your input is needed
- How feedback is processed
- How many revision rounds are included
- What the timeline is
5. Check technical quality
There are a few things you can check yourself on the agency's existing websites:
- Speed: Test via pagespeed.web.dev. Do they score above 80? Good. Below 50? Concerning.
- Mobile: Open the websites on your phone. Do they look good?
- SSL: Is there a padlock in the address bar? No padlock in 2026 is unacceptable.
6. What happens after delivery?
Launching your website is not the end — it is the beginning. Always ask:
- Is there a support period after delivery?
- What does maintenance cost long-term?
- Who owns the website, domain and hosting?
- Can I manage content myself?
7. Trust your gut feeling
Working with a web agency is a relationship. If the first conversation is already difficult, the project will be too. Notice if they listen, advise honestly and respond quickly.
Curious if we are the right partner for your project? Get in touch and experience it yourself.
