If you are looking to hire a web development team to help you with your small business website, you have come to the right place.

We have put together a list of 15 questions that you need to ask before hiring a web designer or web developer for your website. It is important to ask the right questions during your selection process because who you choose to work with and build your website for you will decide both the end product and how much you enjoy the whole process.

By asking these questions you will sound more professional and prepared, earning you more respect and better clarity on your next web design project.

Keep reading to find out what you should ask a web development company so that you can get a highly functional website for your business needs.

Top 15 questions to ask before you hire a web development team

1.       How will you ensure that the website you develop will reflect our business objectives?

Good website design and branding requires extensive research of your industry and business to successfully strategize, develop and market your business. So, hire a web development team that understands your requirements and your target audience. They should be able to recognize your customers, partners, and prospects; and build a web design strategy around them.

2.       Will you review my current website before developing a new website?

If you already have an existing website, ask your potential web development partner to offer you a site analysis or feedback of your existing site to learn about the organization’s strengths and expertise. A company that is genuinely trying to help you get what you need may not convince you to build a new website if all you need are some web design tweaks to your existing site.

3.       What are the other services you offer along with web design?

If your web development company offers other services like typography, UI UX design services, Search Engine Optimization (SEO), Social Media Marketing, and other digital marketing skills, then it would mean that they can help you build a high functioning website that will generate organic leads. Before you hire a web development team, the ideal option is to find out all their services and figure out how they can help your business. 

4.       Can you build a website that fits my budget?

It is a good idea to clearly communicate your budget before beginning the project. Some companies offer package pricing on their websites while others require a custom quote that includes all their web design services. Ask your potential partner for web development what options they offer and assess them against your budget. Domain registration, stock images, plugins, and web hosting are generally additional costs to you unless otherwise mentioned.

5.       Do you outsource your projects or work in-house?

Some companies offer web design and development as a service and will later outsource the work. While this can be incredibly useful, sometimes it can lead to project delays, communication challenges, and additional expenses. If your web development partner plans on getting extra support, it will be a good idea to understand who they are working with and what they are working on to eliminate misunderstandings.

6.       Will I have a dedicated team or one central contact?

Collaborating with a team of people on your website can be efficient or sometimes slow things down. So, before you hire a web development team, make sure that you have a single point of contact who is dedicated to your web development will make sure that one person is managing the entire project every step of the way. That includes your research, strategizing, designing, development, review, launch, and maintenance.

7.       What is your design process?

Ask your web development company if they have a documented approach for the design process or if they use project management software. If they already have a process in place, then it is a strong sign that they have enough experience in handling web design projects. Hire a web development team that will keep you on budget, on task, and help you launch by your scheduled date.

8.       How long will it take to complete my web design and development?

A professional web development company should be able to provide you with a timeframe for your project based on your initial requirements. Assess whether the timeline fits your needs. Ideally, you should also allow some extra time for any unexpected changes or issues in your web design. Moreover, clearly communicate the project deadline and always read the contract properly.  Some companies might charge a late fee if the project pushes past the deadline.

9.       What do you need from me before the start of the project?

Ask this question at the beginning of a project before you hire a web development team to later avoid scrambling for images, content, passwords, etc. Talk with your designer and get a proper list of exactly what you will need to give them before starting the project.

10.   Should I provide the content for the website?

A competent web development company will have content developers and copywriters who will be responsible for developing marketing-focused content for your website. Alternatively, you can outsource the work or create content for your site. Make sure you give your written content to an experienced editor for review and ask colleagues to critique it. Remember, the text on your website is crucial for user engagement. So, we recommend that you hire a content marketing expert to get it done right the first time.

11.   Should I provide the required images for the website?

Gather your graphics, images, videos, and other materials required for branding (logo, colors, fonts). Before you hire a web development team, consult with them to find out whether the images you have can be used for the new web design. Find out if you require the services of professional photographers or pay for stock images online.

12.   Do you have a portfolio?

Many web development companies showcase their prominent works on their website. Make sure you take a good look at their clientele and take note of the design styles used. Some companies only display a few featured projects on their website. So, if you are interested to see more of their work, just ask them! When going through the websites they have created, ask yourself these questions – is their web design contemporary? Are their websites mobile responsive? Does it align with what you require? And does the company have good testimonials from previous clients?

13.   Which content management system do you use?

A content management system (CMS) is what is used to build and manage content on a website – unless you are building a website coded from scratch. Before you hire a web development team, it is important to know what CMS solutions they use to build a website, especially if you need to keep adding content and maintaining your own website post-launch.

Does the company offer services in multiple CMS and ecommerce solutions? Does it enable you to make updates and modifications on your own? Does it have all the necessary web design functionalities your business needs now or will need in the future?

14.   Do you develop custom sites or do you use templates?

Most web development companies offer complete custom-coded websites, template websites, and a mix in between. It is important to know how your website will be developed because not all CMS platforms are the same. If you have a specific design or tech feature that you want on your website, make sure you communicate that to your potential partner before you hire a web development team.

Check out this blog about custom vs template web design to find out what best suits your business

15.   Do you follow SEO practices when developing the website?

Search Engine Optimization should be included from the initial stages of website development. SEO strategies like alt tagging, keyword research, image optimization, and mobile-friendliness can help your website rank higher on SERPs. Ask if your web development company integrates SEO-friendly strategies from the onset of the project.

Wrapping Up

Finding the right web development company for your business can take time and research. However, by knowing what you are looking for and always thinking of the target audience, you have a much better chance of hiring someone who best suits your business objectives. It is crucial that you hire a web development team that understands what will best represent your brand image and fulfill its unique goals. Asking the right questions can help you find the ideal option for your business. So, be prepared with these smart questions before you contact a web development company.