How to choose the right partner for your website development?

Understand what you actually need

Before you contact anyone or compare prices, get clear on what you're building. Are you looking for a simple professional presence online, or do you need to sell products directly through your website? Will you update content yourself, or do you need someone to maintain it for you? Do you need your website to connect with tools you already use (like your booking calendar, email system, or accounting software)?

Write this down. This clarity helps you have productive conversations and avoid paying for things you don't need while ensuring you get everything you do need.

The first conversation is very important for you

I can usually tell within the first real conversation whether someone is right for a project. Here's what to listen for:

They ask more questions than they make promises. Good professionals want to understand your business, your customers, your goals, and your challenges before talking about design or features. If someone gives you a quote after ten minutes, they're guessing.

They educate you, not just agree with everything. If you request a feature and they immediately say yes without asking why, that's a red flag. The best partners challenge your assumptions when needed and explain the reasoning behind their recommendations.

They can explain things clearly. If they can't communicate in plain language now, imagine how frustrated you'll be throughout the project. But also beware of people who make everything sound too easy – building an effective website requires thought and planning.

They have a clear process. Ask them to walk you through how they work, what they need from you, and when. Ask how revisions are handled. Someone experienced should have confident answers, not vague promises.

They connect your business goals to website solutions. Do they understand what success looks like for you? Do they ask what you want visitors to do on your site? Planning your website's purpose should come before choosing colors and layouts, always.

Understanding different options

You'll encounter different types of professionals, each with advantages and trade-offs:

Individual freelancers offer direct communication, flexible pricing, and personal attention. But they work alone, have limited time for multiple projects, and no backup if they're sick or on vacation.

Agencies provide teams where different people handle design, technical building, and strategy. They have established processes and someone is always available. But they cost more, you'll communicate through a project manager rather than directly with the person doing the work, and smaller projects might not get their most experienced team members.

Specialized freelancers with networks combine personal service with access to other specialists (like a photographer or copywriter) when needed. This can be a sweet spot for many projects.

What matters isn't which option you choose, but finding someone whose capabilities match your project needs and whose working style fits yours.

What good professionals do differently

The best website partners share certain characteristics, regardless of whether they're freelancers or agencies:

They start with planning. Before discussing design, they want to understand what success looks like for you. More customer inquiries? More online sales? Better credibility in your industry? They help you define goals, then build toward them.

They're honest about priorities. If your budget is limited, they help you focus on what matters most. They'll tell you when something you want isn't worth the cost and suggest better alternatives.

They think about your customers. They consider how people will navigate the site, what information they need, and how to guide them toward contacting you or buying from you. They don't just make things look pretty.

They communicate regularly. You don't chase them for updates. They tell you when they need something from you and are upfront when challenges arise.

They plan beyond launch. They set you up for success by making the site easy for you to manage, training you on how to make basic updates, and being available for questions later.

Red flags you should never ignore

Promises to get you ranked #1 on Google. This is impossible to guarantee. No one controls how Google ranks websites, and anyone promising this either doesn't understand how search engines work or is lying to you.

Wants all payment upfront. The normal way is: deposit to start work, payments at different milestones as work progresses, and final payment when everything is complete and you're happy.

Won't show you previous work or let you talk to past clients. Legitimate professionals are proud of the websites they've built and happy to provide references.

Hard to reach during the sales process. If they're slow to respond or difficult to contact before they have your money, it only gets worse afterward.

No written contract or agreement. A good contract protects both of you by clearly stating what will be built, when, for how much, and what happens if there are problems.

Vague proposals with just a total price. You need to know exactly what's included, what's not included, the timeline, and what happens after your website launches.

Promises that sound too good to be true. Complex websites built in unrealistic timeframes, impossibly low prices for extensive work – if it sounds too good to be true, it is.

Understanding Pricing

Prices vary widely, and understanding why helps you make better decisions.

You're not just paying for the hours someone spends designing your website. You're paying for their expertise, their ability to solve problems you haven't even thought of yet, and their experience avoiding mistakes that could cost you more money later.

Someone charging €2,000 might use a pre-made template, customize it with your colors and logo, and hand it over with basic instructions. Someone charging €8,000 might design everything custom for your specific business, plan the customer journey, build it properly with good technical foundations, test everything thoroughly, optimize it so people can find you on Google (SEO), and train you comprehensively on how to manage it yourself.

Neither is inherently wrong, but you need to know what you're getting for your money. A detailed proposal should break down what's being built, what's included, what's not included, the timeline, and payment schedule.

Also remember: a website isn't a one-time purchase like buying a car. There are ongoing costs like hosting (where your website lives on the internet), security updates (protecting against hackers), backups (in case something goes wrong), regular maintenance, and eventual updates to design and features. Make sure you understand these ongoing costs and who handles technical problems when they arise.

Your Role in Success

Even the best professional can't succeed without your involvement. Here's what you need to do:

Be available and responsive. If they need feedback or answers from you and you take weeks to respond, the project stops moving forward. I've seen two-month projects turn into six-month projects simply because the business owner was too busy to engage.

Provide quality content upfront. This means good photos of your products or business, accurate descriptions of your services, text you want on the website, and any specific materials you want included. Many projects stall because business owners underestimate how much work this is and haven't prepared it in advance.

Make decisions when asked. It's fine to think things over for a day or two, but don't endlessly second-guess every choice. Trust the professional you hired to guide you, and remember that a finished website you can improve later is better than a perfect website that never launches.

Be open to their expertise. You hired them for their knowledge and experience. Listen when they make recommendations, even if it's not what you originally imagined. That doesn't mean you can't disagree or ask questions, but be willing to consider that they might know something you don't about how websites work and what makes customers take action.

The selection process

Get clear on your needs and budget first. Write down what you're trying to achieve, must-have features, your timeline, and what you can realistically invest. For example: "I need a website where customers can see my services, read testimonials, and book appointments online. I want it done in 2-3 months and can invest €4,000-6,000."

Ask for referrals. Ask other business owners in your network who built their website and whether they'd hire that person again. A personal recommendation from someone you trust is worth more than any fancy portfolio. Talk to at least three candidates. Have real conversations about your business and goals. Don't just collect price quotes. See how they respond, what questions they ask, and whether you feel confident they understand what you need.

Ask specific questions:

• How do you approach projects like mine?
• Can you walk me through your typical process and timeline?
• How many rounds of revisions are included if I want changes?
• What happens if there are problems or delays?
• What kind of support do I get after the website launches?
• Can I see similar projects you've completed for businesses like mine?

Review detailed proposals. Compare what each person is actually offering, not just the price. Make sure you understand what's included and what costs extra. Don't be afraid to ask questions about anything that's unclear.

Trust your instincts. You'll work closely with this person for weeks or months, and then rely on them when you need help afterward. If something feels off in your initial conversations – if they seem pushy, dismissive of your questions, or you just don't click – it won't improve once the project starts. Choose someone you feel comfortable with and confident in.

The final decision

Don't make it purely about finding the lowest price. We've seen this many times: the cheapest option often costs more in the end when you factor in delays, poor quality, or having to pay someone else to rebuild it properly. But the most expensive option might include things you don't need and isn't necessarily better.

Consider the complete picture:

• What's specifically included in their proposal versus what costs extra
• The level of thought and planning they demonstrated in understanding your business
• The quality of their previous work when you actually tested those websites
• How professional and clear their communication has been
• Your confidence in their ability to deliver what they're promising
• How well they understood your business, your customers, and your goals
• How comfortable you feel working with them and asking questions

The right choice is someone who balances all these factors for your specific situation and budget.

What to expect during the project

Understanding the typical process helps you know if things are progressing normally or if there are problems: Discovery and planning (1-2 weeks) – They learn about your business, goals, and requirements. You'll answer lots of questions and provide materials like logos, photos, and text content. This phase shouldn't feel rushed.

Strategy and structure (1 week) – Before any design happens, they plan out all the pages your website needs and how they connect together. They might create simple sketches showing where different elements will go on each page. This is your chance to make sure nothing important is missing.

Design (2-3 weeks) – You see visual designs of your key pages showing colors, fonts, images, and layout. This is where you provide feedback on the look and feel. Expect some back-and-forth here, but unlimited revisions aren't practical. Most professionals include 2-3 rounds of changes in their proposals.

Building (3-4 weeks) – The designs get built into an actual functioning website. You might not see much during this phase, or they might give you a private link where you can watch progress. Try to resist the urge to give feedback on every small detail at this stage. Let them finish building.

Testing (1 week) – Everything gets checked across different web browsers (Chrome, Safari, Firefox) and devices (phones, tablets, computers). All the links get tested, forms get verified to make sure they send properly, and the website speed gets optimized. Don't skip or rush this phase.

Launch (1 day) – Making your website public should be planned and careful, not rushed. A good professional will have a checklist to make sure everything's ready before launch.

Post-launch support (2-4 weeks) – Some period of fixes, adjustments if things don't work as expected, and training you on how to make updates yourself. Make sure you know upfront what's included and what costs extra.

In conclusion

Building a professional website is an investment in your business, just like renovating your shop or buying better equipment. The right partner makes the process smoother, less stressful, and delivers better results. The wrong partner costs you time, money, frustration, and potentially lost customers.

What matters most is finding someone who genuinely wants to understand your needs, can explain things in language you understand, thinks strategically about what will actually help your business, and has the skills to deliver quality work.

These qualities exist in freelancers, agencies, and everything in between. Your job isn't to figure out which type is "better" – it's to identify these qualities in the specific person or team you're considering.

Good professionals want you to make an informed decision, even if that means choosing someone else. They're confident in their work and know that a good fit matters more than just getting your business. If someone pressures you, rushes you, or makes you feel stupid for asking questions, that tells you everything you need to know about what working with them would be like.

Take your time with this decision. Ask the right questions. Check references carefully. Trust your instincts about both their capabilities and whether you'll work well together. Your business deserves a website partner who truly understands what you're trying to achieve and has the skills to make it happen. Don't settle for less.

Quick checklist: Is this the right partner for You?

• ✓ They asked detailed questions about your business and customers
• ✓ They explained things in clear language you understand
• ✓ They have a structured process they can explain
• ✓ Their previous work is high quality when you actually test it
• ✓ Previous clients give them strong recommendations
• ✓ They provided a detailed written proposal
• ✓ You feel comfortable asking them questions
• ✓ Their timeline seems realistic, not impossibly fast
• ✓ Their price matches the value they're offering
• ✓ You trust them and feel good about working together

If you can check most of these boxes, you've likely found a good partner.