How to Hire a Website Developer or Agency: 15 Questions to Ask Before You Pay

Most bad website experiences don't come from bad developers. They come from unclear agreements: nobody wrote down what was included, who owns what, or what happens after launch.

Use these questions with any freelancer or agency, including us.

Scope and price

1. What exactly is included? Ask for an itemised list: number of pages, features (forms, booking, payments, blog, language versions), content writing, images, and what's not included.

2. Is the price fixed or hourly? Fixed price needs a clear scope. Hourly needs an estimate and a cap.

3. What are the recurring costs? Domain, hosting, email, premium plugins or themes, maintenance. Get yearly numbers. See domain, hosting and business email explained.

4. How many revision rounds, and what counts as a change? A colour tweak isn't a new page.

For typical ranges, see website design cost in Shivamogga and website development cost in Bangalore.

Ownership

5. Will the domain, hosting and code be in my name? They should be. Register the domain yourself or make sure you're the owner on record.

6. Will I get admin access to everything? Website admin, hosting, Google Analytics, Search Console, Google Business Profile, Meta Business account.

7. What happens if we stop working together? You should be able to take the site to another developer without losing anything.

Quality and results

8. How will people find this site on Google? Look for one page per service, proper titles, a sitemap, Search Console setup and local SEO basics. See SEO for a new website.

9. How fast will it load on a phone? Ask them to show a PageSpeed Insights result for a site they built. See why websites are slow.

10. How will I know if it's bringing enquiries? Form, call and WhatsApp tracking should be part of the build. See conversion tracking.

11. Can I update content myself? Text, photos, blog posts, prices, without paying for every small change.

Process and proof

12. Can I see similar sites you've built? Open them on your phone. Are they fast? Do the buttons work? Do they look current?

13. Can I speak to a past client? A confident provider will connect you.

14. What's the timeline and payment schedule? Common: advance to start, a milestone payment at design approval, balance at launch. Avoid paying 100% upfront.

15. What support do I get after launch? Bug fixes for how long? Who do you call if the site goes down? What do updates cost?

Red flags

• "We'll register the domain for you" (in their name)
• A price without any written scope
• No examples you can open and test
• Guaranteed "page one on Google" claims
• Templates sold as fully custom design
• No mention of mobile, speed, SEO or tracking

Freelancer, agency or DIY?

• DIY builder: fine for a very simple first site if you have time
• Freelancer: often the lowest price; ask about backup if they're unavailable
• Agency or studio: more process and accountability; useful if you also need SEO, social and ads

Where we fit

We answer all 15 in writing before you pay: an itemised scope, a fixed price, everything in your name, and SEO, speed and tracking built in. See website development, or website design in Shivamogga.

Comparing quotes? Get a free launch plan and an itemised proposal.