10 Questions to Ask Any Web Design Agency Before You Hire Them

Hiring a web design agency is a real business investment. The wrong choice costs you time, money, and potentially your search rankings. These 10 questions will reveal whether an agency can actually deliver — or just sell well.

1. Can I see examples of sites you've built for businesses like mine?

Portfolio is everything. Look for sites similar to yours in industry and scale. Visit them on your phone and run them through pagespeed.web.dev. A slow, broken portfolio is a red flag no matter how good the sales pitch sounds.

HansiTech answer: Yes — see our portfolio demos for trades, hospitality, and healthcare businesses at hansitech.ca/portfolio.

2. Will I own my website when it's done?

Some agencies build on proprietary platforms — when you stop paying, you lose access to your site. Always confirm you receive full ownership: domain, hosting credentials, and source code.

HansiTech answer: You own everything. Domain, files, and code are transferred to you at launch.

3. What will my Google PageSpeed score be?

If they don't know what PageSpeed Insights is, walk away. A target of 90+ on mobile is achievable and should be standard. Ask for the score on their most recent completed project.

HansiTech answer: We target 90–100 on mobile and desktop. It's a non-negotiable baseline on every build.

4. Is SEO included, or is it an add-on?

Many agencies build the site first and treat SEO as an optional extra. But SEO is most effective when it's baked into the structure from the beginning — not retrofitted after launch.

HansiTech answer: On-page SEO, local schema, and Google Search Console setup are included in every package.

5. What's your timeline?

Get a specific delivery date, not "a few weeks." Understand what causes delays on their end vs. yours (content, feedback, approvals). A good agency gives you a clear schedule and respects it.

HansiTech answer: Starter sites: 1–2 weeks. Business sites: 2–3 weeks. Professional apps: 4–6 weeks. Timeline is confirmed at project kickoff.

6. What do you need from me, and when?

Projects stall when clients aren't sure what they need to provide. A good agency gives you a clear list: logo files, photos, written content, business info. Ask for the list upfront so you can prepare.

7. What happens after launch?

Who do you call if something breaks? What does post-launch support look like? Is it included or billed separately? How fast do they respond?

HansiTech answer: Every package includes post-launch support (30–90 days depending on tier). After that, our $500/mo retainer covers ongoing updates and priority support.

8. Can I update my own content?

If you want to change your hours or add a photo without calling the agency, ask how content updates work. Some platforms allow full self-editing; custom-built sites may require developer involvement.

9. Are there recurring costs beyond the build fee?

Domain registration, hosting, SSL, maintenance — these are real ongoing costs. Get a full picture of what you'll pay annually, not just upfront.

HansiTech answer: $200/year covers hosting, SSL, and domain renewal. No hidden fees.

10. What makes your sites different from a template builder?

Any agency worth hiring should be able to articulate why a custom build beats Wix or Squarespace for your specific goals. If they can't, you might be paying agency prices for template-level work.

HansiTech answer: Speed (90+ PageSpeed vs 40–60 for Wix), full SEO control, no plugin vulnerabilities, and code you own — built on Next.js, deployed on Vercel's global CDN.

Ask these questions to every agency you're considering. The answers will tell you more than any sales pitch.