A new website is something you will live with for years, so it pays to spend an hour checking an agency properly before you sign. These are the nine checks we would run ourselves if we were hiring a web designer in Sydney. Each one can be verified in a few minutes.
1. Can you visit live websites they have built?
Ask for links to live websites, not screenshots or concepts. Open them on your phone, since that is where most of your customers will see your site. Check that pages load quickly, the phone number and contact form are easy to find, and the design still looks sharp months after launch. Bonus points if they have built for businesses like yours, whether that is a trade business, a clinic or an online store.
2. Are their Google reviews real and recent?
Look up the agency on Google Maps and read the reviews, including the oldest and the most recent. Good reviews name people, describe the project and mention what happened after launch. A strong rating with detailed written reviews is far more reliable than testimonials on the agency's own website, which they control.
3. Who will actually design and build your site?
This is the check most people skip. Ask who will design your site, who will build it and who you will talk to day to day. Some agencies sell the project locally and pass the work to an offshore team or a junior. That is not always bad, but you should know before you sign. The best results usually come when you can speak directly to the designer and the person responsible for getting you leads.
4. Do they explain which platform suits you?
A good agency recommends a platform based on your goals and explains why. Shopify is usually strong for ecommerce. Webflow is well suited to service businesses and content-led sites that need flexible design and easy editing. Be wary of an agency that uses the same tool for every client without explaining the trade-offs, or that builds on a custom system only they can update.
5. Will you own your domain, website and accounts?
Get it in writing that you will own your domain name, website content, Google Analytics, Google Business Profile and any Google Ads account. The agency can have access, but the accounts should be in your name. If you ever change agencies, ownership is what lets you leave without starting again.
6. Is the website built to bring in enquiries, not just look good?
A beautiful website that does not produce calls, quote requests or sales is an expensive brochure. Ask how the agency plans calls to action, contact forms, page speed and conversion tracking. Ask how the site will be found: through Google search, Google Ads, social media or all three. An agency that thinks about this from the first meeting is building a business tool, not just a design.
7. Do they have a clear process with sign-off points?
Ask the agency to walk you through its process. You want defined stages, such as planning, design, development and launch, with points where you review and approve the work. A clear process protects both sides: you know what you are getting, and changes are handled properly instead of becoming a surprise invoice.
8. What happens after launch?
Launch is the start, not the finish. Ask who fixes things if something breaks, how quickly they respond, how you request changes, and whether they can help with ongoing marketing. Also ask whether you will be shown how to edit text and images yourself. Many small updates should not require a support ticket.
9. Is the quote itemised and easy to compare?
A good quote lists the pages, functions, content responsibilities, platform, integrations and post-launch support included. It also says what is not included. If one quote is much cheaper than the others, compare the line items. The gap is usually copywriting, tracking, mobile testing or support. Ask for exclusions in writing so there are no surprises later.
What does the checklist look like at a glance?
- Live work – How to verify it: Open three live sites on your phone; A pass looks like: Fast, clear, contact details easy to find
- Google reviews – How to verify it: Read old and new reviews on Google Maps; A pass looks like: Detailed reviews that name people and results
- Who builds it – How to verify it: Ask who designs, builds and manages; A pass looks like: You meet the people doing the work
- Platform – How to verify it: Ask why they recommend it; A pass looks like: A clear reason tied to your goals
- Ownership – How to verify it: Ask for it in writing; A pass looks like: Domain and accounts in your name
- Built for enquiries – How to verify it: Ask about tracking and calls to action; A pass looks like: A plan for leads, not just looks
- Process – How to verify it: Ask for the stages; A pass looks like: Defined stages with sign-offs
- After launch – How to verify it: Ask about support and edits; A pass looks like: Ongoing support and training
- Quote – How to verify it: Compare line items; A pass looks like: Itemised, with exclusions listed
Where Leed Agency fits
Leed Agency is a website design and Google Ads studio in Cronulla, in Sydney's Sutherland Shire. We put ourselves through the same nine checks:
- Live work: 97+ successful projects, including Braytech Electrical, Phocis Therapy, Little Seeds Early Learning and Spicy Dugong. See our success stories.
- Reviews: a 5.0 rating on Google Reviews from 86+ happy clients.
- Who builds it: Bailey leads design and web, and James Magree runs Google Ads and acquisition. Nothing is handed to an overseas team or a junior account manager.
- Platform: Webflow or Shopify, chosen per client. We are a Google Partner and a Shopify Partner.
- Process: Planning, Design and Development, then Launch and Growth, with ongoing support after launch.
"He carefully listened to all our requirements and built us a modern and reliable website in a short period of time."Evgeny Fridlis, Sydney NSW
Every project is quoted after a free consultation. Learn more about us, explore our website design services, or request a quote.
Frequently asked questions
What should I check before hiring a web design agency in Sydney?
Check their live websites, Google reviews, who will actually build your site, their platform recommendation, and that you will own your domain and accounts. Also confirm a clear process, post-launch support and an itemised quote.
How can I tell if a web design agency's reviews are genuine?
Read their reviews on Google Maps rather than testimonials on their own site. Genuine reviews tend to name people, describe the project and mention what happened after launch.
Should I own my website and domain?
Yes. Your domain, website content, Google Analytics, Google Business Profile and Google Ads accounts should be in your name, with the agency given access.
What should be included in a web design quote?
An itemised quote should list pages, functions, who supplies content, the platform, integrations, tracking setup and post-launch support. It should also state what is not included.
Does Leed Agency work with businesses outside Sydney?
Yes. Leed Agency is based in Cronulla in the Sutherland Shire and works with clients Australia-wide remotely using video calls and shared project boards.
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