Questions to ask your web design agency

Choosing a web design agency to build your site can be difficult. You have an idea of what you want, but you're not an expert in the internet. Perhaps you worry that they might try to rip you off, or they might put things on your site that you don't need.

It's standard practice to get quotes from at least 3 agencies, then see what they're offering and for how much. Price should never be your sole determining factor as sometimes a more expensive agency will save you money in the long run.

Here's a list of questions to ask your web design agency:

• Who will be working on the site? Ideally, you should have:
  • A designer, to make it look nice
  • A developer, to do the coding
  • A content manager, to do the editorial and layout

  Often, one person will do both the designing and the developing. If the agency doesn't have their own content manager or writer (and most don't), you can hire a subcontractor (like us) to work with them. Most small agencies are open to working with freelancers and subcontractors for particular projects, and larger ones should have their own copywriters and content people.

• What experience do you have? The agency should have a portfolio of sites that they've worked on, so have a look at those and see if they are well-designed and easy to use. If you have a particular need for your site (eg online transactions), make sure they've done it before.

  It's worth noting that the quality of the sites the agency is built is more important than the quantity. A new agency is likely to be cheaper, but less experienced. Don't be afraid to ask for their references - or phone the number on the websites they've built and have a chat with the business owner!

• What language are you building the site in and why? The important part of this question is 'why?'. You are not expected to be a coding expert, so when you ask what language (ie what sort of code) they are building the site in, feel free to ask about it - what the benefits are, what the pitfalls might be and so on.

  The answer to 'why?' should always be 'because it's the most appropriate for your site'. Answers like 'because we always use it' or 'because it's the latest technology' are no good - you may not need the latest technology for a simple site, and it could make it more complex than you need.

• Who is going to be responsible for updating the site? Even if your site is a very basic 'shop window', it will still need updating from time to time. Fresh, new content not only brings people back to your site, but will also help your search engine rankings.

  You have 4 basic options here:

  • The agency will do it. This is probably your most expensive option. It may also restrict you - for example, they might not be able to do your changes right away.
  • You can have a freelancer update it for you. This will cost between £15 and £25 an hour, depending on what you're doing, and might be an option if you don't envisage updating it much.
  • The agency can build you a content management system. This option is expensive initially, but can work if you want to update your site yourself a lot. Content management systems vary hugely in terms of quality - make sure you know exactly what it will and won't be able to do before you sign on the dotted line.
  • Buy yourself an easy-to-use program that will allow you to update the site yourself. If you choose this option, be aware that you may not be able to update everything on your site, depending on how it is built. If you choose this option, ensure your agency knows that this is your plan and that they will build a site that can be updated with such a program.
• How much input will I get? This is one question where the obvious answer (you call all the shots) is not the correct one. You're paying the agency so you should be benefiting from their experience and knowledge. It's important that they listen to your ideas, but they also should be able to disagree with you and explain why.

  If you have any sites that you like a lot, send the agency a list of web addresses with the reasons why you like them. When they come back with a quote and some initial ideas, see if they've paid attention to your comments.

• Who is the domain name registered with? It should be you. You might even register your domain name before you even approach an agency - you can do this online and it's a very easy process.
• What accessibility standards will you be building the site to? 'Accessibility' means building the site so that everyone can use it - the term usually refers to disabled people. For example, your site might be used by people who:
  • Can't use a mouse
  • Are visually impaired (eg are blind, long-sighted, colour-blind)
  • Are hearing impaired
  • Don't have Flash, or the latest version of a browser
  • Have a small screen
  • Either can't see images or have switched images off
  • Have trouble reading (eg are dyslexic, have learning difficulties, or do not speak English as their first language)
  • Are on a dial-up connection, or have a slow computer
  • Are tired, impatient or using the computer in a noisy room

  The point is that an accessible site is easier for everyone to use - whether they have restrictions or not.

• What about search engine optimisation? Most agencies are cagey about their search engine optimisation techniques - this is normal. However, they should be able to give you some idea of what they will build into your site to make it search engine friendly. Ask for examples.

  Note that search engine optimisation needs to be built into the site. If you have a site built and then seek out an SEO specialist, they will make amends to your site that could have been built in to start with.

• How long will it take? Two main factors will affect your site's schedule: how big and complex the site is, and how much you meddle with it. Changes that are implemented after the site build has begun are usually unavoidable, but the more of these there are, the longer your site will take.

  Ensuring both you and the agency understand each other at the outset will help minimise changes. It's a good idea to draw out a site layout before you begin, to help you think out the number of pages you will have, and how they will be arranged.

• How much will it cost? The question everyone wants to know! Agencies usually come up with a quote based on the number of hours it will take to build a site. Many agencies (us included) offer fixed-price websites, based on the number of pages.

  Always agree on the price before any work starts, and most importantly, what is included in that price.

• What does my business do? If the web design agency is not interested enough in your business to answer this question, how are they going to get potential customers excited about it? Choose an agency who actually cares about what you do.

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