What we tell clients: hire a web design agency that can show leads or pipeline moving—not just a slick Figma file. Ask for live URLs, Search Console or PageSpeed proof, and a written scope before you compare day rates.
Checklist before you sign
- ☐ Success = leads, demos, or sales—not “new website”
- ☐ Live sites you can click through on your phone
- ☐ SEO basics in scope: metadata, schema, crawlable structure
- ☐ Core Web Vitals targets agreed upfront
- ☐ Who writes copy, who owns hosting, how many revision rounds
- ☐ Analytics and form tracking on day one
- ☐ Timeline with discovery → launch → post-launch fixes
- ☐ Reference in your industry if possible
Start with outcomes
“We need more qualified enquiries from our core markets” beats “we need a redesign.” Outcomes keep calls honest when agencies show pretty portfolios that never converted anyone.
Global delivery (if that’s you)
Serving multiple regions from one site means time zones, currencies, and tone vary. Ask who’s built for international delivery—not only a single-market template.
SEO and speed are deliverables
Architecture, schema, image discipline, and CWV should be in the statement of work. A gorgeous site that loads in six seconds is still a liability in competitive search.
Process beats vibes
You want named phases, owners, and what happens after launch. “We’ll stay in touch” isn’t support.
Price vs value
Cheap often skips analytics, SEO, and hardening. Compare what’s included, not the headline figure.
Proof we’re willing to show
Client proof: Oxbridge Summer Courses (headless WordPress + Next.js)—mobile CWV passed (Apr 30, 2026: LCP 1.8s, INP 139ms, CLS 0.01); desktop CWV passed (Jul 20, 2026: LCP 1.5s, INP 69ms, CLS 0.06; 90 Performance / 100 SEO lab). Best Summer Courses Guide (Next.js, PostgreSQL, WordPress API)—desktop CWV passed (Jul 22, 2026: LCP 2.3s, INP 110ms, CLS 0.05; 98 Performance / 100 SEO lab). Screenshots on services. WordPress example: Travellers Autobarn.
Our own site (devcritters.com)
We eat our own cooking. Performance metrics were verified using Google PageSpeed Insights (powered by Lighthouse)—desktop, May 18, 2026 on devcritters.com: Performance 99, SEO 100, Best Practices 100, Accessibility 93; LCP 0.9s, FCP 0.2s, CLS 0, TBT 50ms, Speed Index 1.1s. CrUX may say “No Data” on newer domains—that’s normal. Screenshot: services · run it yourself.
FAQ: choosing a web agency
How do I choose a web development company?
Define outcomes first (leads, demos, sales — not "new website"). Shortlist 3–5 agencies with live URLs in your space, score proposals on technical approach, SEO and CWV proof, process, and post-launch support — not portfolio aesthetics alone. Allow 2–4 weeks; rushing costs months later.
How to choose a web agency?
Same process: start with business outcomes, verify live sites on mobile, check SEO and Core Web Vitals are in scope, ask for client references you can actually call, and compare deliverables in writing — not headline price.
How to choose a WordPress agency?
Look for agencies that audit before they quote — plugin list, hosting, CWV baseline, redirect strategy if migrating. Ask for WordPress-specific proof: live sites with good mobile PageSpeed, not just theme demos. Headless WordPress experience matters if that's your end goal.
How to evaluate a website development agency?
Score them on live site performance (not screenshots), written scope with SEO and CWV line items, reference calls with recent clients, and what happens after launch. An agency that can't explain their stack or show Search Console data for a similar project is a red flag.
What questions should I ask a web agency before hiring?
Ask: Who actually builds my site day-to-day? Show a similar shipped project. How do you handle SEO, redirects, and CWV? What's in scope for post-launch? Who owns code and domain? What happens when scope changes? Can I speak to two recent clients — not a written testimonial?
What are red flags when choosing a web agency?
Guaranteed #1 rankings, vague scope, won't introduce you to past clients, seniors pitch but juniors build, no post-launch plan, can't explain their stack, or price dramatically below market with no SEO or performance line items. Any of these — walk away.
What is a web agency?
Team that plans, designs, builds, and often maintains your site—UX, code, SEO, sometimes hosting.
What does it cost?
Brochure vs shop vs app varies wildly—compare deliverables, not the lowest quote.
Agency vs freelancer?
Freelancer for a slice; agency when design, dev, SEO, and PM must ship together.
Questions for the first call?
CWV process, SEO in scope, revisions, hosting, timeline, success metrics at 90 days.
Can they show PageSpeed proof?
They should. Oxbridge Summer Courses passed mobile and desktop Core Web Vitals; Best Summer Courses Guide passed desktop Core Web Vitals with 98 Performance and 100 SEO (lab). Full screenshots on performance proof.
Related resources
Bottom line
The right partner ships evidence and sticks around after launch—not a one-off theme install.
DevCritters builds WordPress to headless Next.js migrations for startups and SMEs worldwide. Migration service · Services · Book a consultation.
