How to Choose a Web Agency: 7 Questions to Ask First
The biggest risk in choosing a web vendor usually isn't a bad-looking design — it's "we can't reach anyone after launch" or "a one-word edit takes a week and costs extra." Ask these 7 questions before signing to filter out high-risk vendors early.
1. Can I see live, currently-running projects?
Ask for links to actual live websites, not just design mockups in a pitch deck. Browsing a real site's load speed and mobile experience tells you more than any slide deck.
2. Who owns the source code and assets after launch?
Get this written into the contract. Some low-cost packages retain code ownership, which can trap you later if you want to switch vendors or add features — this is the most overlooked, highest-impact clause.
3. How is maintenance and change scope defined?
"Free small changes" needs to become concrete in writing: how many changes, how much text, what's billed beyond that — not a verbal promise.
4. What's the response time for urgent issues (site down, hacked)?
Confirm there's a clear emergency contact and response time commitment, not "message us on Line and wait." This matters especially for e-commerce or payment-enabled sites.
5. Is baseline SEO built in, or billed separately?
Semantic markup, heading hierarchy, meta descriptions, and a sitemap should be part of the build, not an "SEO service" add-on after launch. Ask directly how the vendor handles these.
6. Is there a formal contract with payment milestones?
Split payments (e.g., at signing, at review, at launch) protect both sides better than paying everything upfront, and reflect actual project progress.
7. What does communication look like — who is your actual point of contact?
Confirm there's a consistent project owner, rather than a different contact each time who needs the requirements explained from scratch.
FAQ
Should I always get the source code?
Yes — get ownership and delivery of source code and assets written into the contract, so you're not stuck if you ever want to switch vendors and find everything is on their end.
A vendor said "small changes are always free" — can I trust that?
Get the definition of "small change" written down: scope, word count, how many per month. Verbal promises are hard to enforce if a dispute comes up later.
Do I have to hire a local vendor?
Not necessarily, but a local vendor is often faster for in-person discussions or urgent issues. It's a plus for New Taipei/Taipei businesses, not a hard requirement.
Already have a proposal from another vendor?
Send it over — I'm happy to help you review it, no pressure.
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