Start with these three questions
Ask them before you even look at a portfolio.
What a good process looks like
A free consultation before any commitment, so the price is based on your actual project, not a guess.
A fixed price and delivery date, in writing, agreed before you commit to anything.
A named person you can reach directly, not a queue or a different rep each time.
A straight answer about support after launch: what's included, and what isn't.
Real, clickable proof: live sites you can visit, not just a wall of logos.
What to watch for
No real pricing process. "It depends" with no explanation of what it depends on, or the quote keeps growing after you've committed.
Lock-ins you can't exit. Long-term lock-ins with no month-to-month option if you're not happy.
Slow, non-mobile demo sites. If their own portfolio is slow on a phone, yours will be too.
No direct human contact. Everything routed through a ticket system or chatbot, with no one you can actually reach.
A portfolio of near-identical templates. Client logos slapped on the same layout, not real, distinct builds.
Questions to ask before you commit
- 1Can I have a fixed price and delivery date in writing before I commit?
- 2Who exactly will I be working with, and how do I reach them?
- 3What's included after launch: bug fixes, backups, updates?
- 4Is there a long-term commitment, and how do I get out of it if I'm not happy?
- 5Can I see 2–3 live examples of sites you've actually built?
- 6How fast do you typically respond to a message?
- 7What happens if my site goes down or breaks?
In short: this is exactly how we work:
- a free audit,
- conversations about your project,
- a fixed price and delivery date in writing,
- no long-term commitment required, and
- you'll always be in touch with the same person.