The 10 questions to ask before you hire
| Question | A good answer | A red flag |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Whose name will the domain, hosting and code be in? | Yours, with your email | "We keep it in our account" |
| 2. Can I see websites you built that are live now? | Live links you can open | Only screenshots or mock-ups |
| 3. What exactly is included? | A written scope: pages, features, revisions | One price with no list |
| 4. Who writes the content and supplies photos? | A clear split agreed up front | "We'll figure it out later" |
| 5. How long will it take? | A timeline that depends on your content | A date with no conditions |
| 6. Will it be fast and mobile-first? | They show speed results of past work | "All websites are mobile-friendly now" |
| 7. What SEO is included? | Titles, descriptions, schema, sitemap, Search Console | "Guaranteed #1 on Google" |
| 8. What happens after launch? | Stated support period and maintenance cost | Silence after the final payment |
| 9. Can I edit the site myself? | Yes, and they show you how | Every text change is a paid request |
| 10. How do payments work? | Advance, then balance before launch | Full payment before any work |
Why does ownership matter so much?
If the agency registers your domain or hosting in its own account, you can't move, renew or redesign without its permission. Ask for the domain and hosting in your company's name and for the source code or full admin access after final payment. Everything else can be fixed later; ownership is hard to get back.
Freelancer, agency or DIY website builder?
| Option | Works well for | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| DIY builder | A very small budget and a simple one-page site | Monthly fees, limited SEO, hard to move later |
| Freelancer | A small, clearly defined website | Support if they become unavailable |
| Agency or company | Business sites, stores, apps and ongoing growth | Check live work and who will actually build it |
Warning signs to walk away from
- A very low fixed price with no written scope. The missing items usually come back as extra charges.
- Promises of guaranteed first-page or first-position rankings. Nobody controls Google's results.
- Pirated premium themes or plugins. They are a common way websites get hacked; see our guide on signs a website is hacked.
- No registered company details, no address, and no live work you can check.
How much should a business website cost?
It depends on pages, features and content. Our website development cost guide breaks down typical ranges in India, and the maintenance cost guide covers what happens after launch. Compare quotes on the same written scope, not on the headline price.