Planning to revamp or launch a website? Proper planning is key. By asking the right questions, you can ensure your website not only looks good but also delivers results. Don’t underestimate the complexity behind a successful website; it’s more than just aesthetics.

Budget and Timeline:

Do you have a budget in mind?

Pinpointing the exact cost of a website isn’t straightforward. It hinges on factors like its complexity, design, and the level of professional assistance needed. Platforms like Wix offer budget-friendly monthly plans, but building a website from scratch demands considerable time and technical know-how. It’s akin to purchasing an Ikea flat-pack house: affordable but requiring assembly. If you’re short on time or lack the necessary skills, enlisting a web development expert is a wise choice. They can provide the guidance and expertise to ensure a successful website

It’s important to select an agency whose services and pricing structure match your budget. Approaching an agency that doesn’t work within your financial constraints can lead to disappointment and wasted time for both you and the agency.

Timeline?

If your project has strict deadlines, ensure the agency can meet them. Clarify your role in the process to avoid delays. Clearly outline the expected contributions from both sides to ensure a smooth workflow. One of the most frequent causes of website delivery delays is the time it takes for clients to provide necessary data.

Additional Costs

Are there any additional costs I should be aware of:

• Hosting
• Domain Name
• SSL
• Email Setup or integration
• Ongoing maintenance
• SEO
• Photography
• Copy writing / content population who is populating the website?
• 3^rd party plugins
• Training

Experience and Expertise:

• How long has your agency been in business?
• Can you provide examples of projects you’ve completed?
• What is the agency’s experience with your type of project? E-commerce, booking other functionality.

Process and Methodology:

• How do you collaborate with clients throughout the project?
• What tools and technologies do you use for website development?
• How do you ensure the website is mobile-friendly and responsive?

Design and Functionality:

• How do you approach the website design process? Do you involve the client in the design phase?
• What is your approach to user experience (UX) and user interface (UI) design?
• What features or functionalities do you recommend for my website to achieve my business goals?

SEO and Accessibility:

Website SEO, or Search Engine Optimization, is the process of improving your website’s visibility in search engine results like google. This means making it easier for people to find your website when they search for products, services, or information related to your business. 

Website accessibility ensures that everyone, regardless of ability, can access and use your website. While full compliance can be costly, quick and easy improvements can significantly enhance accessibility.

• How do you optimize the website for search engines (SEO)?
• Who is doing the keyword research?
• What SEO will be on the website
• Will Google Analytics and Google Console be available?
• Do you ensure GDPR cookie consent
• What do you do to ensure the website is accessibly to multiple groups?

Security

• What security for the site is in place?
• Can you add 2FA does your business need 2FA?

Communication and Support:

• Who will I deal with throughout the project?
• How do I communicate with them?
• What is your process for handling changes or revisions?

Ongoing support

After your website is launched, it’s crucial to evaluate its performance against your business objectives. How will you measure its success? By tracking key metrics and analysing user behaviour, you can gain valuable insights and make data-driven decisions.

In addition, who will maintain the website, support change requests and add new content?

• What level of ongoing support do you offer after the website is launched?
• Do you offer any digital marketing services, such as content marketing or social media management?
• How do you measure the success of a website?