What should you ask a website design agency before you sign?
Website quotes can look similar while describing very different projects. One includes copywriting, SEO setup and training; another is a template with your logo dropped in. The twelve questions below are the ones we'd want answered if we were hiring an agency ourselves. Ask all of them, get the answers in writing, and the right choice for your business is usually clear.
1. Who will actually do the work?
Ask for names and roles. Some agencies sell with a senior person and then hand the project to a junior team or an offshore contractor. That isn't always bad, but you should know before you sign. A good answer names the designer, the developer and the person you'll speak to each week.
2. Can I see live websites you've built and read your reviews?
Screenshots and mock-ups prove very little. Ask for links to live sites in or near your industry, then click around on your phone. Check the agency's Google Reviews and look for detail: reviews that mention specific people and outcomes are more convincing than one-line ratings.
3. Which platform will you build on, and why?
An agency that builds every site on one platform will recommend that platform whatever you need. Ask why it suits your business. Shopify is usually right for online stores and Webflow for lead-generating service sites. The answer should be about your goals, not the agency's habits.
4. Who owns the website, domain and content after launch?
You should own your domain, content, images and accounts: hosting, Google Analytics, Google Search Console and Google Ads. Ask whose name the accounts are registered in and what happens if you part ways. If leaving means losing your site, keep looking.
5. What exactly is included in the quote?
Get a written scope that lists the number of pages, who writes the copy, who supplies photos, which forms and integrations are included, whether basic SEO setup is included, and whether you get training. Most budget surprises come from items one side assumed and the other didn't.
6. What is your process, and what do you need from me?
A clear process protects both sides. Ask for the stages, what's delivered at each one and what input you'll need to give, and when. Slow content and feedback are the most common cause of delays, so it helps to know your part early.
7. How many rounds of revisions are included?
Ask how changes are handled during design and after the build, and what counts as a revision versus new scope. A good agency explains this simply and doesn't make you feel awkward for asking for changes.
8. Can I update the website myself?
You should be able to change text, swap images, add blog posts and, for online stores, manage products without paying a developer each time. Ask to see the editor and whether training is included.
9. What happens after launch?
Launch is the start, not the finish. Ask who fixes problems, how quickly they respond, what ongoing support costs and what hosting includes. Ask how they'll help the site improve over time, for example by reviewing enquiries and testing changes.
10. How will the site bring in leads or sales?
A good-looking site that doesn't generate enquiries is an expensive brochure. Ask how the design guides visitors to call, book, buy or request a quote, and how conversions will be tracked so you can see what's working.
11. What SEO is set up at launch?
At minimum: unique page titles and meta descriptions, a sensible heading structure, image alt text, a sitemap submitted to Google Search Console, mobile performance checks and, if you're replacing an old site, 301 redirects from old URLs so you don't lose existing rankings. Ask which of these are included.
12. Are there lock-in contracts or ongoing fees?
Ask about minimum terms for hosting, maintenance and marketing, and what it costs to leave. If the agency also runs Google Ads, ask whether there's a lock-in contract and who owns the ad account.
Which answers should make you cautious?
- Who does the work – Good sign: Named people you can contact directly; Warning sign: "Our team" with no names
- Ownership – Good sign: Domain and accounts in your name; Warning sign: Agency keeps the site or accounts
- Scope – Good sign: Written list of pages, copy, SEO and integrations; Warning sign: A single price with no detail
- Platform – Good sign: Explained in terms of your goals; Warning sign: Same platform for every client
- After launch – Good sign: Clear support and response times; Warning sign: A vague "we'll be around"
- Contracts – Good sign: Plain terms, easy to leave; Warning sign: Long lock-ins and exit fees
How much does a website cost in Sydney?
Prices depend on scope, platform and how much of the design is custom. In our experience, the Australian market typically ranges from around $2,000–$5,000 for a template-based small business site to $10,000–$30,000 or more for a custom-designed site or a full ecommerce build. Compare quotes against the written scope from question 5, not just the total. Leed Agency quotes every project after a free consultation.
Where Leed Agency fits
Leed Agency is a small website design and Google Ads studio in Cronulla, in Sydney's Sutherland Shire. Here's how we answer the questions above:
- Who does the work: Bailey leads design and web; James Magree runs Google Ads and performance. Nothing is handed to an overseas team or a junior account manager.
- Proof: 97+ projects for 86+ clients, a 5.0 rating on Google Reviews, and live work on our success stories page, including Braytech Electrical, URHAUS, Coast Getaways and Phocis Therapy.
- Platform: we're a Shopify Partner, we also build on Webflow, and we choose per client.
- Process: Planning, then Design & Development, then Launch & Growth, with ongoing support after launch.
- Budget: a library of 100+ premium templates or a fully custom build.
- Google Ads: a Google Partner agency with no lock-in contracts.
Read more about our website design work and who we are, or request a quote and put these twelve questions to us directly.
"James did an outstanding job building my website... In James's own words, 'I'm not happy until you're happy.'" – Steven Sharp, Perth WA
Frequently asked questions
How many website quotes should I get?
Two or three detailed quotes is usually enough. Compare what each one includes, such as pages, copywriting, SEO setup and support, rather than only the total price.
Should a Sydney business use a local web design agency?
A local agency makes meeting in person easy and often knows the local market, but plenty of good work is done remotely. Direct access to the people doing the work, proof of results and clear ownership terms matter more than postcode.
Who should own my website domain?
You should. Register the domain in your business's name and make sure you have admin access to your hosting, analytics and Google Ads accounts.
What is the biggest mistake when hiring a web design agency?
Signing a quote without a written scope. Unclear scope leads to surprise costs, delays and disagreements about what was promised.
Does Leed Agency offer a free consultation?
Yes. Leed Agency, based in Cronulla in Sydney's Sutherland Shire, quotes every website project after a free consultation, which you can request at leedagency.com.au/request-a-quote.
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