Choosing a web agency is hard because all proposals sound the same: modern design, SEO, fast delivery. Below are 10 questions that help you tell a strong partner from a weak one, and the red flags that should make you walk away.
Before you ask: know what you want
Write down three things: your goal (for example more enquiries), your audience and a budget range. Without that you are comparing proposals that can't be compared. For price ranges see website cost in Estonia 2026.
10 questions to ask every agency
| Question | Good answer | Red flag |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Can I see similar work? | Specific live sites you can open yourself | Only screenshots, no link |
| 2. What does the price include? | A written scope: pages, features, revision rounds | "It depends", unspecified |
| 3. Is the price fixed? | Yes, for an agreed scope | Hourly rate with no cap or forecast |
| 4. How long will it take? | A concrete timeline with milestones | "When it's ready" |
| 5. How many revision rounds are included? | A clear number and a rule for after | Every change is extra |
| 6. Who owns the domain, hosting and files? | You do, with access from day one | The agency, "we'll hold it for you" |
| 7. Are SEO, speed and analytics included? | Yes, and they can show it | "SEO is a separate service" |
| 8. What happens after launch? | Support and maintenance, prices are known | Contact disappears after handover |
| 9. Who actually works on my project? | Named people and their roles | A salesperson who vanishes after signing |
| 10. How do I pay? | In stages, with clear invoicing | 100% upfront with no stages |
How to check the portfolio
- Open the work on your own phone. Is it fast and comfortable? A screenshot doesn't show speed.
- Check speed with PageSpeed Insights rather than "it feels fast".
- See whether the work resembles your sector, not just whether it looks nice.
- Ask for a client contact or opinion if possible.
- You can see some of our work on the Work page.
What a contract or proposal should include
- Scope: exactly what will be done (pages, features, languages).
- Price and payment schedule: stages and amounts.
- Deadlines: milestones and the final date.
- Revision rounds: how many and what happens after them.
- Ownership and access: domain, hosting, files and content belong to you.
- After launch: support and maintenance, with prices and timings.
For detailed legal questions, ask a lawyer if needed.
Fixed price or hourly?
A fixed price gives certainty: you know the budget up front and the agency is responsible for the scope. An hourly rate suits changing, ongoing work, but without a cap or forecast the scope can balloon. For most website projects a fixed price is safer. All our packages have fixed prices, from €490: see the pricing page.
7 red flags
- The price is far below the market but you can't get a clear answer on scope.
- They guarantee first place on Google. No honest agency can promise that.
- There is not a single live example or link.
- You have no access to your own domain or files.
- The contract doesn't mention revision rounds or deadlines.
- You are pressured to decide quickly ("the price is valid today").
- Replies are already slow before you've ordered.
Frequently asked questions
Should I choose an agency, a freelancer or a builder?
A freelancer suits small, clearly defined jobs; an agency when you need design, development, SEO and support in one place. A builder (Wix, Tilda) suits a very simple business card. See the comparison: Wix vs WordPress vs Tilda.
How many quotes should I ask for?
Usually 2–3 is enough. Give everyone the same brief so the quotes are comparable.
Is the cheapest quote bad?
Not necessarily, but find out what's included. A very low price often means a template design, no SEO and no support.
How do I get a quote from OpenWeb360?
Send a short brief or book a 30-minute call. We reply within one day with a written scope, price and deadline.
Want to compare our proposal too?
Fixed price, written scope, clear timeline. We reply within one day.