Key takeaways
- Choose an agency by how it understands your business problem, not only its portfolio.
- Ask about discovery, content, platform choice, ownership and support.
- Check accessibility, SEO foundations and testing are included.
- Be wary of guaranteed rankings, vague scopes and unclear ownership.
In this article
Define the outcome before requesting quotes
Agencies can only quote accurately when they understand what success looks like. Before you contact anyone, write a short brief covering:
- Your business goals and target customers.
- What the website must help people do.
- Must-have features and integrations.
- Content readiness and who will provide it.
- Budget range and timeline.
Review relevant work and ask for context
A portfolio shows visual capability, but ask about the thinking behind it.
- What problem did the project solve?
- What was the agency responsible for?
- How was success measured?
- Can you speak with a past client?
Relevant experience in similar types of projects is often more important than visual style alone. You can browse our work to see the range of projects we deliver.
Understand the discovery and content process
Ask how the agency will learn about your business and customers, and who is responsible for content. Content delays are one of the most common reasons projects run late.
Clarify technology, ownership and portability
- Which platform will be used, and why?
- Will you own the domain, hosting account, website files and content?
- Can another developer maintain the website in future?
- Are there licences or subscriptions you will need to keep paying for?
Our WordPress vs Shopify comparison can help with platform questions.
Ask about SEO, accessibility, testing and support
| Question | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| What SEO foundations are included? | Redirects, metadata and structure protect visibility |
| How is accessibility addressed? | More people can use the site |
| How is the site tested before launch? | Fewer problems after go-live |
| What support is available after launch? | Updates and fixes keep the site secure |
Warning signs in proposals and promises
- Guaranteed first-page rankings or specific traffic numbers.
- Vague scopes with few details.
- No clear answer about who owns the website.
- Pressure to sign quickly.
- No mention of content, testing or support.
Learn more about us, explore our website design service, read what a website costs or contact us to talk about your project.
Frequently asked questions
Should we choose a local agency?
A local agency can make meetings and collaboration easier, but the right fit depends on expertise, process and communication. Many projects work well remotely too.
How many quotes should we get?
Two or three detailed quotes are usually enough to compare approaches. Make sure each quote covers the same scope.
What should a website contract include?
Scope, deliverables, timeline, payment terms, responsibilities, change process, ownership of the website and accounts, and support arrangements.
Why choose Melbourne Design Studio?
We bring more than 20 years of design and UX experience, one team for strategy, design, development and support, and itemised, fixed-price quotes. We are happy to answer every question in this guide.
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Melbourne Design Studio is a design and development studio in Truganina, Melbourne, with more than 20 years of design and user experience work. Our team plans, designs and builds websites, apps, brands and campaigns, and writes these guides to help business owners make informed decisions.
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