WordPress
Questions That Separate Good From Cheap
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Four revealing questions
- Whose name are the hosting and domain in? Should be yours.
- What happens if we want to leave? Should be straightforward.
- How are updates handled after launch? Should have a real answer.
- Can we see a site you built two years ago? Reveals how they age.
The fourth is the most useful and the least asked. Anyone can show you a site launched last month; the ones from two years ago show whether the work lasts.
What to look for in their work
- Sites that load quickly on a phone
- Sensible structure rather than everything as a page
- Content that has clearly been updated by the client since
- Forms that work — try one
Warning signs
- Hosting held in their name as standard
- No mention of updates or maintenance
- A quote with no scope detail
- Reluctance to give client references
- Everything built with the same multipurpose theme
Get the scope in writing
| Should specify | Why |
|---|---|
| Page templates and count | The main driver of effort |
| Who writes the content | The most common overrun |
| What functionality is included | Prevents assumption gaps |
| Revision rounds | Prevents endless iteration |
| What happens after launch | Support and maintenance terms |
Reference calls are worth the time
Ask a past client two things: did it come in on time and budget, and what happened when something broke afterwards.
Those two answers are more informative than any portfolio.
Frequently asked questions
Freelancer or agency?
Both work. Freelancers are cheaper and carry availability risk; agencies cost more and have continuity. Judge the individual, not the category.
Should we choose someone local?
Helpful for in-person work and rarely necessary otherwise. Communication quality matters far more than location.
What if we already have a site we dislike?
Get a second opinion before rebuilding. Sometimes three specific fixes solve it.
How long should a build take?
Five to ten weeks for a business site. Much faster usually means a template; much slower usually means unclear scope.
About to commission a website?
Ask those four questions first. Happy to review a proposal before you sign it.