15 Questions to Ask a Web Design Agency (2026 Checklist) | Launchwork Digital

Quick Answer: Top 5 Critical Questions Before hiring a web design agency, ask these 5 critical questions: 1. **Can you show me 3 recent projects similar to mine?** - Validates experience 2. **What's your typical timeline and what affects it?** - Sets expectations 3. **Who will own the website and source code?** - Protects your investment 4. **What's included in your ongoing support?** - Avoids surprise costs 5. **How do you handle revisions and scope changes?** - Prevents disputes For the complete 15-question checklist with red flags to avoid, read on...

The Complete Checklist: 15 Questions to Ask | Question Category | Key Questions | Why It Matters | |-------------------|---------------|----------------| | **Experience** | 1. Can you show recent projects? | Validates expertise | | **Process** | 2. What's your design process? | Sets expectations | | **Timeline** | 3. How long will this take? | Planning | | **Cost** | 4. What's the total cost breakdown? | Budget clarity | | **Ownership** | 5. Who owns the website? | Legal protection | | **Revisions** | 6. How do you handle feedback? | Change management | | **Team** | 7. Who will I work with? | Relationship building | | **Requirements** | 8. What do you need from me? | Preparation | | **Scope** | 9. What's included in quote? | Clarity | | **Hidden Costs** | 10. Any additional costs? | Budget protection | | **Payment** | 11. What are payment terms? | Cash flow | | **Ownership** | 12. Who owns final website? | Asset protection | | **Updates** | 13. Can I update it myself? | Independence | | **Support** | 14. What ongoing support? | Long-term relationship | | **Exit** | 15. What if I want to leave? | Flexibility |

Why These Questions Matter

Hiring a web design agency is a significant investment. The wrong choice can cost you months of wasted time, thousands in unexpected fees, and a website that doesn't deliver results. The right questions reveal whether an agency is genuinely the right fit—or just good at sales pitches.

We've seen clients come to us after painful experiences with other agencies. The common thread? They didn't know the right questions to ask upfront. This guide shares what we've learned from both sides of the conversation.

Questions About Their Experience (1-4)

### 1. Can I see examples of websites similar to what I need?

**Why it matters:** A beautiful portfolio means nothing if it doesn't include projects like yours. An agency that's built 50 restaurant websites might struggle with your SaaS platform. **Good answer:** They show relevant examples and explain the challenges and solutions for each. **Red flag:** They show generic templates or can't provide examples in your industry or project type.

### 2. How long have you been in business?

**Why it matters:** Longevity suggests stability and experience. That said, a newer agency with experienced team members can be just as capable. **Good answer:** They're transparent about their history and can explain their team's combined experience. **Red flag:** Vague answers, reluctance to discuss history, or claims that feel exaggerated.

### 3. Do you have experience in my industry?

**Why it matters:** Industry experience means they understand your customers, competitors, and specific requirements (like compliance needs for healthcare or finance). **Good answer:** They demonstrate understanding of your industry's unique challenges, even if they've worked in adjacent sectors. **Red flag:** They dismiss industry knowledge as unimportant or claim expertise they can't demonstrate.

### 4. Can I speak to previous clients?

**Why it matters:** References reveal what it's actually like to work with an agency—the reality behind the polished case studies. **Good answer:** They readily provide 2-3 references from relevant projects. **Red flag:** Reluctance to provide references, or references that feel coached or limited.

Questions About The Process (5-8)

### 5. What's your typical timeline for a project like mine?

**Why it matters:** Unrealistic timelines lead to rushed work or delayed launches. An agency should be able to estimate based on similar projects. **Good answer:** A clear timeline with phases (discovery, design, development, testing, launch) and dependencies explained. **Red flag:** Extremely fast timelines ("we'll have it done in a week") or vague answers ("it depends") without further explanation.

### 6. How do you handle revisions and feedback?

**Why it matters:** Unlimited revisions can lead to scope creep; too few can leave you stuck with something you don't love. You need clarity on how changes work. **Good answer:** A defined process with a specific number of revision rounds, clear explanation of what counts as a revision vs. a change request. **Red flag:** No clear policy, or policies that feel designed to generate additional fees.

### 7. Who will I be working with directly?

**Why it matters:** You want to know whether you'll work with experienced team members or be handed off to juniors after the sale. **Good answer:** Introduction to your actual project team, including their roles and experience. **Red flag:** Evasive answers about team structure, or a sales person who disappears after signing.

### 8. What do you need from me to get started?

**Why it matters:** Good agencies know that client collaboration is essential. They should have a clear onboarding process. **Good answer:** A specific list: content, images, brand guidelines, access credentials, stakeholder availability. **Red flag:** No clear requirements, which usually means they haven't thought through the project properly.

Questions About Money (9-11)

### 9. What exactly is included in your quote?

**Why it matters:** The difference between a £3,000 quote and a £10,000 quote often comes down to what's included (or excluded). **Good answer:** Itemised breakdown covering: number of pages, design revisions, development features, testing, training, handover documentation. **Red flag:** Vague "website package" descriptions, or an unwillingness to provide detailed breakdowns.

### 10. Are there any additional costs I should know about?

**Why it matters:** Hidden costs (stock photos, premium plugins, additional revisions, hosting setup) can significantly inflate the final bill. **Good answer:** Transparent disclosure of potential additional costs with estimates for each. **Red flag:** "Everything's included" followed by surprise invoices mid-project. Get it in writing.

### 11. What are your payment terms?

**Why it matters:** Payment structure affects your cash flow and protects both parties. Milestone-based payments are industry standard. **Good answer:** Clear payment schedule tied to project milestones (e.g., 30% upfront, 30% at design approval, 40% at launch). **Red flag:** 100% upfront payment requests, or very aggressive payment demands before work begins.

Questions About After Launch (12-15)

### 12. Who owns the website when it's finished?

**Why it matters:** You should own your website—the code, the content, the design. Some agencies retain ownership or make it difficult to leave. **Good answer:** Full ownership transfers to you upon final payment, with source files and documentation provided. **Red flag:** Complex licensing arrangements, proprietary systems you can't move from, or vague ownership terms.

### 13. Can I update the website myself?

**Why it matters:** You shouldn't need to call your agency (and pay) for every small text change. A good CMS empowers you to manage content. **Good answer:** Training is included, with a user-friendly content management system and documentation provided. **Red flag:** No CMS, or systems designed to keep you dependent on the agency for basic updates.

### 14. What ongoing support do you offer?

**Why it matters:** Websites need maintenance—security updates, backups, technical issues. Understanding support options upfront prevents problems later. **Good answer:** Clear support packages with response times, what's covered, and transparent pricing. **Red flag:** No support options, or support priced to discourage use.

### 15. What happens if I want to move to a different agency later?

**Why it matters:** Business relationships change. You need to be able to move without losing your website or facing excessive fees. **Good answer:** Clear handover process, provision of all files and documentation, no exit penalties. **Red flag:** Lock-in contracts, proprietary technology that can't be migrated, or reluctance to discuss exit terms.

Red Flags to Watch For

Beyond specific answers, watch for these warning signs during the sales process: **No portfolio or won't share client references** Reputable agencies are proud of their work and happy clients. Secrecy suggests something's wrong. **Extremely low prices with vague scopes** A £500 custom website quote should raise questions. What are they cutting corners on? **Can't explain their process clearly** Professional agencies have refined processes. Confusion at the sales stage suggests confusion during the project. **Pressure to sign immediately** Good agencies give you time to decide. High-pressure tactics often indicate desperation or predatory practices. **No written contract or proposal** Everything should be documented. Verbal agreements protect no one.

Green Flags That Suggest a Good Agency

**Asks lots of questions about YOUR business** They should be curious about your goals, customers, and competitors—not just what colours you like. **Explains technical things in plain English** Jargon-heavy responses often hide uncertainty. Good agencies communicate clearly. **Provides detailed, written quotes** Transparency about costs suggests transparency throughout the project. **Shows genuine interest in your success** The best agencies see themselves as partners, not just vendors. **Has a clear project management approach** They can explain how they'll communicate, track progress, and handle issues.

How We Answer These Questions at Launchwork Digital

We believe in transparency, so here's how we'd answer our own questions: **Portfolio:** We show relevant examples and explain the specific challenges we solved. **Timeline:** Most business websites take 4-8 weeks. We provide detailed timelines with dependencies. **Pricing:** Our quotes itemise everything. See our pricing page for general ranges. **Ownership:** You own everything—code, design, content. No lock-ins or proprietary systems. **Support:** We offer ongoing maintenance packages, but you're free to manage independently. **Exit:** We provide full documentation and source files. No exit penalties.

FAQs About Hiring a Web Design Agency

**How many agencies should I get quotes from?** Three is usually sufficient. More than that becomes time-consuming and the differences blur together. Focus on quality conversations rather than quantity.

**Should I always go with the cheapest quote?** Rarely. The cheapest option often costs more in the long run through hidden fees, poor quality, or having to rebuild sooner. Compare value, not just price.

**What if an agency can't answer these questions?** That's valuable information. An agency that struggles with basic questions about their process probably hasn't refined their approach. Move on.

**When should I ask these questions?** During your initial consultation, before any work begins. Good agencies expect these questions and welcome them.

Ready to Ask Us These Questions?

We're happy to answer every question on this list—and any others you have. Contact our team to start the conversation. **Related reading:** - How Much Does a Website Cost in the UK? - Professional Website vs Wix: The Honest Comparison - Web Development Services - Our Pricing Philosophy - Frequently Asked Questions - How We Work