If you’re on the lookout for a web developer or a web development company for your upcoming project, you might be unsure about the crucial questions to ask. Beyond just discussing pricing and their ability to handle your specific project, what else should you inquire about to make sure you’re choosing the right partner?
In this guide, we’ll share key questions that will not only help you identify the ideal web design company but also initiate a productive dialogue with them.
20 Questions Before Hiring a Website Development Company
How Long Have You Been Designing Websites?
Experience counts in web design. Seasoned designers have tackled various challenges that newbies might not even be aware of. Choosing a team with a solid track record reduces the risk of your project becoming their practice run.
Imagine choosing a designer with extensive experience who can foresee and dodge pitfalls effortlessly, versus someone still learning the ropes. Which scenario makes you feel more secure?
Do You Outsource Your Web Design or Development Work?
Transparency is key. Knowing whether parts of your project are outsourced helps you understand who is actually working on your website and where your money is going.
If a firm outsources to specialized freelancers for better results, that’s great as long as they are upfront about it.
Who Oversees Your Website Development Projects?
Will you be left in the dark, or will someone keep you in the loop throughout the process? Identifying who manages your project is crucial. You’ll want someone with a knack for overseeing complex projects and ensuring smooth communication.
What Are Your Web Development Milestones?
Milestones guide you through the timeline of your project. Lack of clear milestones could leave you guessing about the progress of your site. Suppose a milestone is the initial design draft; knowing this lets you plan your feedback sessions better.
As A Website Development Company, Do You Guarantee Your Work?
A reputable company should stand behind its work with guarantees. This protects you from incomplete projects or post-launch issues. If a problem arises after the site goes live, a guaranteed service means the company will fix it without extra charges.
Do You Follow Up After the Web Development Project is Finished?
Wouldn’t it be frustrating to deal with post-launch problems alone because your web developer has moved on to the next client? Enquire them about their post launch support. Post-launch support can be as crucial as the design process. Ensure there’s a plan for ongoing maintenance or any issues that pop up after the site is live.
What Should I Do If I’m Unsure About My Web Development Project Needs?
A competent web development company should help you refine your vision from the start. They should ask about your content strategy, target audience, and desired functionalities, not just the technical stuff.
What If I Don’t Have Any Web Design Files?
Starting from scratch? No problem, as long as your web developer can guide you through the creative process effectively. Imagine you only have an idea. A good developer should help you turn that idea into a functional and attractive website.
Do You Provide Referrals From Past Clients?
Hearing from past clients can give you insight into their satisfaction with the service and the effectiveness of the websites created. Check out the web developer’s testimonials page or third-party review sites for unbiased opinions.
Do You Take The Time To Learn About My Business and Competitors?
Understanding your market and competitors can significantly influence the functionality of your site. The engaging question would be “How will you make my website stand out from competitors?”
What Other Services Do You Offer as a Web Developer?
Knowing about additional services can help you determine if the web developer can manage future expansions or needs like SEO or ad integration.
For example, our team at BragDeal is skilled in both web development and SEO, which means we can optimize your site for search engines right from the start.
What Happens If I Don’t Like My Web Design?
No one wants to feel trapped with an investment that doesn’t pay off. Clarifying what happens if the end product doesn’t meet your expectations ensures you aren’t stuck with a design you dislike.
How Long Will My Web Development Project Take?
Understanding the timeline sets clear expectations. A reliable web developer should offer a realistic completion date and adhere to it. You can ask your interviewing website development company about safeguards in place if the project does not meet the agreed deadlines.
Will My Site Work On Desktop, Tablets, and Phones?
If it doesn’t look good on mobile, you’re losing more than half of your potential audience. With most internet traffic coming from mobile devices, it’s essential that your site functions beautifully across all platforms. Don’t miss this question!
What Do I Need To Provide You With Before You Get Started?
Knowing what materials and information you need to provide beforehand can help speed up the design process.
It’s helpful when you gather all your content, logos, and brand guidelines before the project starts to avoid delays.
How Does Your Web Development Onboarding Process Work?
Understanding the onboarding process can help set the tone for the entire project. It should be thorough yet straightforward. A detailed onboarding form can help capture all necessary details to align the project with your business goals.
Do I Own My Website Once It Is Completed?
Confirming ownership of all elements of your website is crucial. Ensure you have all the rights to your design and content. Key question you shouldn’t miss asking is “Can I take my website to another host or designer if needed?”
If I Need A Domain Name or Hosting, Do You Set That Up?
Some developers offer full services, including domain registration and hosting. Understanding this service helps you manage your website more effectively. The fact is owning your domain name is like owning your home address on the internet.
How Do You Handle Ongoing Website Updates and Maintenance?
Ongoing maintenance is vital for keeping your site secure and up-to-date. Imagine your website as a car that needs regular check-ups to run smoothly.
Do You Have Good Reviews?
Checking reviews can provide a snapshot of the web developer’s reliability and quality of work. Don’t just skim the ratings; read through the comments to get detailed insights into other clients’ experiences.
The Reason Behind Asking Question
It might seem a bit much to ask a lot of questions to a potential web development partner. If your project is simple, like an app or a small development task, you might think all you need to know is whether they can do the job well and affordably.
However, asking more in-depth questions like the ones we’ve listed is very important. This helps you weed out candidates who might not be a good fit for your business and find the ones who really meet your needs.
Before you decide to hire someone or sign any contracts, make sure to use this list of questions. Don’t worry about asking too many questions: the more you ask, the more you’ll learn. This can prevent you from working with someone who doesn’t have your best interests at heart.
For some more insightful tips to hire best web design agency, make sure to read our latest article on the important points to keep in mind!
Knowing When to Walk Away from an Website Development Company
You’ve already gotten answers from a web development company, but are you still unsure about your choice? There are several reasons why an company might not be the best match for you, and noticing these issues early can save you both time and money. Here are some warning signs to look out for when considering a web development agency:
Vague or Evasive Answers
If an agency avoids answering your questions directly or doesn’t give clear details, it could mean they lack expertise or aren’t being transparent.
No Client Testimonials or References
If an agency can’t or won’t provide references from past clients, it could mean those clients were not happy or the agency doesn’t have much experience.
One-Size-Fits-All Approach
Watch out for agencies that only offer standard packages. This means they might not be thinking about what’s specifically good for your business.
Hidden Costs and Fees
If an agency isn’t clear about their prices and any extra charges right from the start, you might end up paying more than you expected.
Poor Communication
If an agency is slow to respond or often misses meetings, this could lead to more communication problems during your project.
Too Good to Be True
Be cautious of very low prices, overly quick timelines, or big promises that seem unbelievable. Quality work requires time and proper skills.
Not Interested in Your Business Goals
If an agency doesn’t seem interested in understanding your business goals and who your customers are, they likely won’t be focused on making your project successful.
It’s important to trust your feelings. If something seems off or too risky, it’s always okay to pause and think it over again.
Final Words
We created this list of questions to ask a web developer to help you in this specific situation. Use these questions to learn more about the web development partner you’re thinking of hiring, and to help you decide if they are the right fit for your project.
BragDeal is a web development company known for having all the answers and being consistently ready to solve their clients’ problems. They specialize in creating custom web solutions tailored to meet specific business needs.
Whether you’re looking to build from scratch or revamp an existing site, BragDeal is there to guide you every step of the way with their expertise and dedicated service.
