How to choose a web studio: 7 questions to ask before you order

You order a website once every few years, so you don't get many chances to learn what to watch out for. The result is often disappointment: the site is late, looks different from what you expected, or no one can manage it after handover. Here are 7 questions that reveal quality before you sign.

1. Will I own the website?

The most important question. Some solutions lock you in - the website runs on their platform and when you leave, you have nothing. Insist that the website and the domain will be yours and that you'll get the access credentials. We hand over websites as your property, not as a rental.

2. What technology do you build on?

Ask specific questions. Custom WordPress, a page builder (Elementor, WPBakery), or a rented platform? This is not a detail - it determines speed, extensibility and who will be able to manage your website in the future.

3. Who will take care of the website after launch?

A website isn't finished at launch. Updates, backups, security - that all keeps going. Find out whether the studio offers management and support, or leaves you to fend for yourself after handover.

4. Can I see real references?

Not just pretty pictures in a portfolio. Ask for live websites that are actually running, and ideally for a client contact. A real studio isn't ashamed of its work.

5. How does communication work?

Who will be your contact? How often will you get an update? A website is a project that runs for weeks - bad communication can ruin it just as much as bad code. A smaller studio often has an advantage: you talk directly to the person who actually builds the site.

6. What exactly is included in the price - and what isn't?

Ask for a breakdown. Design, development, deployment, basic SEO, training? And what runs on the side (domain, hosting, maintenance)? A transparent quote protects you from surprises. (More on how much a website costs.)

7. Will the website be fast and ready for Google?

A pretty website that no one can find and that loads slowly is just an expensive business card. Ask about performance (Core Web Vitals) and basic SEO. It should be part of the package, not an expensive add-on.

Agency, freelancer, or small studio?

• A large agency - power and capacity, but higher prices and often communication through an account manager.
• A freelancer - the cheapest, but a risk if they get sick or disappear.
• A small senior studio - the combination: direct communication with a senior who actually builds the site, without the overhead of a large agency. That's the path we take - more about us.

Summary

You recognize a good studio by the fact that you get clear, straight answers to these 7 questions. If someone gives you a vague answer about ownership, technology or price, that's a warning sign.

Looking for a studio that tells you straight how things are? Get in touch - we're happy to answer the questions from this list too.