How to choose the company that builds your website: 7 essential questions

Choosing the company that builds your website is a decision that can cost you dearly if you get it wrong. A badly built website means wasted money, lost time and, very often, a rebuild from scratch. Here are the questions worth asking before you sign.

1. Can you show me real work, not just promises?

Ask to see websites they have built that are live now. A real portfolio says more than any sales pitch. Visit those websites, see how they load and how they look on a phone.

2. Will the website be mine, code included?

Make sure you get full access: the domain, the hosting and, ideally, the source code. Some companies keep you locked into their platform, and if you want to leave, you are left with nothing. A fair partner hands you the keys rather than holding you hostage.

3. What is the website built on?

Ask whether they write code for you or use a template stuffed with plugins. Templates are cheap at first, but they come with limitations, poor speed and security risks. Clean code costs more, but it lasts for years.

4. What happens after launch?

A website is not finished on launch day. Ask about maintenance, updates and support. A serious company stays with you after you have paid; it does not disappear the moment it delivers.

5. How long will it take and what do I get at the end?

Ask for an estimated timescale and a clear list of what the project includes. If the answers are vague, that is a warning sign. You want to know exactly what you are paying for and what you are getting, with no surprises.

6. How will we communicate along the way?

A good project means regular communication. Ask how you will be kept up to date and who to contact when you have a problem. Silence during a project is the most common sign of trouble.

7. Will you tell me when something is not worth it?

Perhaps the most important one. A company that tells you honestly that a feature will not add value, or that a smaller budget is enough, is one you can trust. Someone who sells you everything without asking what you need is selling, not building.

Warning signs

• A price that is suspiciously low compared with the rest of the market.
• Promises of first place in Google within a few days.
• Refusal to give you access to the domain or the code.
• No clear contract.

How we work

At AI Soft we build websites from scratch, give you full access to everything that is yours, stay with you after launch and tell you honestly where it is worth investing and where it is not. If you want a partner, not just a supplier, write to us.