Tags: webdev, beginners, business, career, website design
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Hiring a web agency for the first time can feel overwhelming. What should you prepare? How long will it take? What questions should you ask?
After working with dozens of first-time clients at WebBuilders, here's our honest guide to what you can expect.
Before You Reach Out
1. Know Your Goals
Don't worry about technical details—focus on business outcomes:
- "I want to sell products online"
- "I need to generate more leads"
- "My current site looks outdated"
- "Customers can't find information easily"
2. Have a Rough Budget
You don't need an exact number, but know your range:
- Under $1,000: Template-based solutions
- $1,000-$5,000: Custom small business site
- $5,000-$15,000: Feature-rich custom site
- $15,000+: Complex applications/e-commerce
3. Gather Your Assets
If you have them (it's okay if you don't):
- Logo files (vector/SVG preferred)
- Brand colors and fonts
- Photos of products/team
- Existing content/copy
- Examples of sites you like
The Discovery Phase
What happens:
The agency learns about your business, audience, and goals. This might be a call, questionnaire, or both.
Questions you'll be asked:
- What does your business do?
- Who is your target customer?
- What action do you want visitors to take?
- Who are your competitors?
- What's your timeline?
Questions to ask them:
- Can I see examples of similar work?
- Who will I be communicating with?
- What's your process?
- What do you need from me?
- How do you handle revisions?
The Proposal
What you'll receive:
- Project scope (what's included/excluded)
- Timeline with milestones
- Cost breakdown
- Payment terms
- Terms and conditions
Red flags to watch for:
⚠️ No written scope ("we'll figure it out")
⚠️ 100% payment upfront
⚠️ Vague timelines
⚠️ No revision policy
⚠️ They can't show previous work
Green flags:
✅ Clear, detailed scope
✅ Milestone-based payments
✅ Specific timeline with buffers
✅ Defined revision rounds
✅ Portfolio with case studies
During the Project
Typical timeline for a business website:
| Phase | Duration | Your Involvement |
|---|---|---|
| Discovery | 1 week | High - interviews, document sharing |
| Design | 2-3 weeks | Medium - review mockups, feedback |
| Development | 3-4 weeks | Low - occasional check-ins |
| Content | 1-2 weeks | High - provide/review content |
| Testing | 1 week | Medium - review and approve |
| Launch | 1-2 days | Low - final approval |
Total: 4-12 weeks for most projects
Your responsibilities:
- Respond to requests within 48 hours
- Provide content when needed
- Give clear, consolidated feedback
- Make decisions (avoid "design by committee")
- Test on your devices before launch
Tips for smooth collaboration:
- Designate ONE decision-maker
- Batch your feedback (don't send 10 separate emails)
- Be honest if you don't like something
- Trust the process (and the experts)
Feedback That Helps
Instead of: "I don't like it"
Try: "The navigation feels cluttered. I want visitors to find products easily."
Instead of: "Make it pop more"
Try: "The CTA button doesn't stand out. Can we try a brighter color?"
Instead of: "This isn't what I had in mind"
Try: "I was imagining something more like [example site]. Can we move in that direction?"
The formula: Describe the problem + the outcome you want
Launch Day
What to expect:
- Final review of everything
- DNS changes (your site might be briefly unavailable)
- SSL certificate installation
- Testing on live server
- Training on how to update content
After launch:
- Monitor for issues (first 48 hours are critical)
- Expect minor fixes
- Start tracking analytics
- Plan for ongoing maintenance
After the Project
Ongoing needs to consider:
- Hosting: Where your site lives ($10-50/month)
- Domain: Your web address ($10-20/year)
- Maintenance: Updates and security ($50-200/month)
- Content updates: Fresh content keeps you relevant
- Analytics review: Monthly check-ins recommended
Questions about ownership:
- ✅ You own your domain
- ✅ You own your content
- ✅ You should own your code (clarify this!)
- ⚠️ Stock images may have licensing terms
- ⚠️ Some agencies use proprietary systems (ask!)
Our Promise at WebBuilders
We believe in:
- Transparency: No hidden costs or surprises
- Education: We explain the "why" behind decisions
- Partnership: Your success is our success
- Ownership: You own everything we create for you
Our payment terms: 60% to start, 40% on completion.
Ready to Start?
If you're considering a new website, we'd love to chat. No pressure, no jargon—just an honest conversation about your goals.
Or email us directly: hello@webbuilders.live
First time working with an agency? What questions do you have? Ask in the comments!
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