Choosing the wrong web agency can be very costly: months of wasted time, money spent on a botched site that needs a full rebuild, and sometimes even losing access to your own site. Here are the 7 criteria we recommend to all prospects before signing anything — including with us.
1. Check the portfolio with real, testable links
Anyone can show beautiful Canva mockups or retouched screenshots. What really counts are live sites with real performance. Click each link, test speed on Google PageSpeed Insights, navigate on mobile to check responsiveness. A portfolio with no live links or broken links is a major red flag.
2. Are announced timelines realistic and contractual?
A serious agency gives precise deadlines and meets them. Ask if the deadline is written into the contract with penalties for late delivery. Beware of vague phrases like '2 to 4 weeks depending on workload' — this usually means '2 months minimum'.
3. Full price transparency
The price must be clear, detailed and written down before starting. Watch out for quotes that don't specify what's included — this opens the door to mid-project extras. Always request a detailed quote specifying: number of pages, number of revisions, hosting (included or not), domain name, post-delivery maintenance.
4. Communication quality during the project
An agency that takes 3 days to reply to your prospect email will probably take 3 days to reply during the project. Ask about response time upfront. Prefer agencies that communicate via WhatsApp or have a dedicated project manager.
5. Post-delivery support and warranty
What happens if the site goes down the day after delivery? Serious agencies offer at least 1 month of included support after delivery, with guaranteed 24h response to technical problems.
6. Real technical performance
A beautiful design that loads in 8 seconds is counter-productive for Google ranking. Ask for the Lighthouse score of the agency's last delivered site. Below 70 in performance is a serious warning sign. Top sites reach 90+ in performance, accessibility and SEO.
7. Authentic and verifiable social proof
Testimonials with real names, verifiable Google reviews, clients available as references — authentic social proof distinguishes real agencies from impostors. Search the agency name on Google to read independent reviews.
Red flags to absolutely avoid
- No written contract: always pay with a signed contract
- Abnormally low price (< 300 DT for a showcase site): guaranteed sacrificed quality
- No admin access delivered with the site: you're not truly the owner
- Portfolio only in images or mockups without live links