Choosing a partner to build your website is a high-stakes decision. The company you hire will be responsible for your brand's first impression, your site's security, and your primary lead-generation tool.

The Dublin market has hundreds of providers, from solo freelancers to large agencies. To find the right fit, you must go into your initial meetings prepared with the right questions. Their answers will reveal their process, transparency, and expertise.

Here are 10 critical questions to ask before you sign any contract.

1. Can I see a portfolio of your recent work? This is the most basic, but most important, question. Look for a diverse portfolio that shows they can adapt to different brands. Ask to see 2-3 live sites. Do they load fast? Do they look great on your phone?

2. Is your work in-house or outsourced? This is a crucial question. Many "agencies" are just a local sales office that outsources all the design and development work overseas. This can lead to massive communication problems, poor quality control, and timezone-related delays. You want to know who is actually building your site.

3. What is your process from start to finish? A professional agency will have a clear, multi-step process. It should sound something like: 1. Discovery & Strategy, 2. Wireframing & Design, 3. Development, 4. Content & SEO, 5. Testing & Launch, 6. Training. If their answer is vague, like "You send us the text and we build it," that is a red flag.

4. How does SEO fit into your design process? As we have discussed, good design is good SEO. Their answer should include "mobile-first design," "site speed optimisation," "on-page SEO for titles and descriptions," and "a logical site structure." If they say "We don't do SEO, that's extra," be cautious.

5. What Content Management System (CMS) do you use? For most businesses, the answer should be WordPress. It is powerful, flexible, and easy for you to learn. Be wary of agencies that use a custom or "proprietary" CMS. This is a common tactic to lock you in, making it impossible for you to ever leave or have another developer work on your site.

6. What is the total cost, and what are the payment terms? Get a detailed, itemised quote. Ask what is not included. Are hosting, domain registration, and SSL certificates extra? What about ongoing maintenance? A typical payment structure is 30-50% upfront and the remainder at launch.

7. What is the timeline for the project? Get a realistic launch date. A typical small business site takes 6-12 weeks, not 6-12 days. This timeline also depends on you providing content and feedback promptly.

8. What happens after the site is launched? A professional Web Design Dublin agency does not just "launch and leave." Do they offer a warranty period to fix bugs? Do they provide training on how to use your new site? Do they offer an optional monthly maintenance plan for security and updates?

9. Who owns the website and all the files? The answer must be "You do." You should have 100% ownership of your domain, your hosting, and all the final design and code files. If the agency retains ownership, you are just renting your own website.

10. How do you measure the success of a new website? A great agency is a growth partner. Their answer should be about your business goals. "We measure success by the increase in qualified leads," "a lower bounce rate," or "an improvement in your keyword rankings." If they only talk about "looking good," they are missing the point.