Imagine you’re looking for an architect to build your house. You wouldn’t hire the first one you come across, would you? The same principle applies when choosing a digital agency that will build your online presence.
Why is choosing the right digital agency so important? Simply put, the wrong partner can cost you not only money, but also precious time, and often your online reputation. On the other hand, the right agency can transform your business and open doors to new opportunities.
In this guide, you’ll learn how to choose the best digital agency for your business through specific questions you need to ask before making a decision. We won’t give you theoretical advice, but practical tools you can apply immediately.
Why Most Entrepreneurs Make Mistakes When Choosing a Digital Agency
Mark owns a successful furniture store in New York. When he decided to expand his business online, he contacted the first agency he found on Google. The price was “great”, the promises were big, and the result? A website that loads in 8 seconds and that no one can find on the internet.
The most common mistakes entrepreneurs make:
The first mistake is focusing only on price. A cheap agency often means cheap results. The second mistake is a lack of clear questions – many rely on promises instead of concrete evidence. The third mistake is rushing – making decisions without thorough verification.
Why do these mistakes happen? Simply put, digital marketing seems complicated, so business owners rely on “gut feeling” instead of facts.
The good news is that you can avoid these traps if you know the right questions to ask.
Before You Contact an Agency: Prepare Yourself
Before you start your search, you need to know exactly what you want. This is not a step to skip.
Define your goals clearly. Do you want more website visitors? Higher online sales? Better brand recognition? Each goal requires a different approach.
Set a realistic budget. Don’t just think about the initial investment, but also monthly costs for maintenance, SEO, or Google Ads. Digital marketing isn’t a one-time purchase – it’s an ongoing investment.
Research your competition. Look at how their websites look, how they position themselves on Google, and what content they publish on social media. This will help you better explain to the agency what you want to achieve.
Key Questions About Agency Experience and Expertise
When talking to a potential agency, don’t let them impress you with just pretty presentations. Specific questions will reveal the real picture.
How long has the agency been in business, and how many clients have you successfully served?
Experience isn’t everything, but it is important. An agency that has been around for years has probably gone through various challenges and learned how to solve them. However, be careful – don’t just look for years in business, but also the number of satisfied clients.
Why is this question important? A new agency can be excellent, but an experienced agency knows how to avoid common mistakes that can cost you dearly.
Can you show me concrete results you’ve achieved for similar businesses?
This is perhaps the most important question you can ask. Every serious agency should have case studies or concrete examples of success.
Don’t settle for general answers like “we increased traffic by 200%”. Ask for details – over what period, with what budget, and what were the starting positions.
A real agency will show you: Before and after website images, traffic growth charts, increased online sales, and improved Google rankings.
In which areas of digital marketing are you strongest?
No agency is equally good at everything. Some are excellent at web design, others at SEO, third at Google Ads or social media.
It’s important to know: Do you need an agency that covers all services or is it better to hire specialized experts for different areas? The answer depends on your business size and budget.
Questions About Work Process and Communication
The way an agency works with clients says a lot about what experience you can expect. These questions will reveal whether the agency is organized and professional.
What does your work process look like from start to finish?
A serious agency has a clearly defined process. They should explain every step to you – from initial analysis, through design and development, to launch and maintenance.
A good agency will tell you: How long each phase takes, when you can expect first results, how they’ll inform you about progress, and who’s responsible for each part of the project.
If they tell you “we work as the situation demands” or can’t clearly explain the process – that’s a red flag.
How often will we communicate and in what way?
Communication is the key to successful collaboration. You need to know whether you’ll have direct contact with the person working on your project or whether you’ll go through several intermediaries.
Ask specifically: Do you have a dedicated project manager? How often do you send progress reports? Do you use any project tracking tool? How quickly do you respond to client questions?
The best agencies have an established system for regular communication and transparent reporting.
What happens if we’re not satisfied with the results?
Many avoid this question because it’s uncomfortable, but it’s very important. A professional agency won’t have a problem explaining its policy in case of dissatisfaction.
Look for answers to: Is there a guarantee on services? How do you resolve disputes? Do you offer revisions without additional charge? What are the conditions for terminating cooperation?
An agency that’s afraid of such questions probably doesn’t have much confidence in its work.
How to Choose the Best Digital Agency for Your Business – Financial Aspects
Money is always a sensitive topic, but transparency about prices and billing methods is a sign of a serious agency. These questions will help you avoid unpleasant surprises.
How do you form prices, and are there any hidden costs?
A professional agency should clearly explain how they arrives at the price. Do they charge by the hour, by project, or have fixed packages? Each model has its advantages and disadvantages.
It’s important to know: What exactly is included in the price, and what is charged additionally. For example, are revisions included? How many changes can you request without additional charge? Are software licenses included in the price?
A good agency will give you a detailed cost breakdown. If they tell you “we’ll see during the work” – be careful.
What is the payment method, and do you offer a guarantee?
The payment method speaks to the confidence the agency has in their work. Serious agencies usually ask for part of the payment upfront, but not the entire amount.
The standard approach is: 50% upfront, 50% upon completion. Or division into phases – payment upon completion of each project stage.
Regarding guarantees, ask for specific answers. Do they guarantee the website will work without errors? How long does technical support last? What happens if the website “crashes” after launch?
How much do maintenance and additional services cost?
Many forget that a website isn’t a “buy and forget” product. Regular updates, security monitoring, backups, and SEO optimization are needed.
Ask directly: How much does monthly maintenance cost? What does it include? Can I update content myself, or do I have to pay the agency for every change?
Also, inquire about prices for additional services like Google Ads campaigns, SEO optimization, or social media management.
Technical Aspects You Must Check
The technical side might seem complicated, but these questions are crucial for your website’s long-term success. You don’t need to be an expert to ask them.
What technology do you use for website development?
Different technologies have different advantages. WordPress is popular because it’s easy to use, Webflow allows more creative design, while custom solutions provide maximum flexibility.
It’s important to know: Will you be able to easily update content? How scalable is the website – can it “handle” your business growth? Does the technology they use have good support and regular updates?
A good agency will explain why they chose a particular technology for your project, not just say “it’s the best”.
How do you approach SEO optimization?
SEO isn’t something that’s added at the end – it must be built in from the beginning. An agency that creates a website without SEO in mind is doing you a disservice.
Look for answers to: Do you include basic SEO optimization in the price? How do you choose keywords? Do you optimize loading speed? How do you approach mobile optimization?
A professional agency will mention Google Analytics, Google Search Console, meta tags, URL structure, and website speed.
Will the website be adapted for mobile devices?
This question is almost rhetorical today – over 60% of users access websites via phones. But still ask it to see how the agency responds.
Expect an explanation: How do they test the mobile version? Do they use responsive design? How do they optimize speed on mobile devices?
If they only show you the desktop version of the website during the presentation – that’s not a good sign.
References and Portfolio – How to Check Work Quality
Every agency will tell you they’re the best, but only portfolio and references can prove it. Here’s how to “read between the lines”.
Can I contact some of your previous clients?
This is a trust test. An agency with satisfied clients won’t have a problem giving you contacts for verification. Of course, they respect privacy, but they should be able to provide at least 2-3 references.
When talking to references, ask: Are they satisfied with work quality? Were projects completed on time? How was the communication? Would they hire the same agency again?
Pay special attention to how problems were solved during collaboration – every project has challenges, what’s important is how the agency solves them.
How do you choose projects for your portfolio?
A good portfolio doesn’t just show the prettiest work, but also diversity. Look for projects from different industries and different sizes.
Pay attention to: Are the websites in the portfolio still active? How do they work on mobile devices? Are they fast? Can you find these websites on Google?
If they only show you pictures of websites, not live links – that’s suspicious.
Do you have experience in my industry?
This isn’t crucial, but it can be useful. An agency that has worked with similar businesses understands specific challenges and needs.
However, be careful: Don’t reject an agency just because they don’t have experience with your exact industry. Sometimes a fresh perspective can bring better solutions.
What’s more important is that they show they understand your business model and target audience after you explain it to them.
Red Flags to Avoid
Some signs warn that an agency might not be right for you. Here are the most common red flags to watch out for.
Promises that sound too good to be true
“We guarantee you first position on Google in a month,” or “We’ll double your traffic in 30 days” – such statements are unrealistic. SEO is a long-term process, and results depend on many factors.
Realistic expectations: SEO results are seen after 3-6 months, traffic growth is gradual, and Google positions depend on competition and content quality.
A professional agency will be honest about timeframes and won’t make unrealistic promises just to get the job.
Lack of transparency in communication
If an agency avoids direct answers, uses too much technical jargon to confuse you, or doesn’t want to explain their approach – that’s not a good sign.
A good agency: Explains things in simple language, answers all questions, shares knowledge instead of hiding it, and shows the work process transparently.
Also, be careful if they insist on quick contract signing or pressure you to decide immediately.
Focus only on price instead of value
An agency that competes only on price often makes compromises on quality. The cheapest option is rarely the best option.
Instead of price, focus on: What value do you get for your investment? Does the agency understand your goals? What long-term results can you expect?
Investment in a quality digital agency pays back through better results, fewer problems, and long-term collaboration.
Conclusion: Your Path to the Right Digital Agency
Choosing a digital agency is one of the most important business decisions you’ll make. The right agency won’t just be an executor of your ideas, but a strategic partner who understands your business and helps you grow.
Remember the key message: Don’t rush the decision. Ask all the questions we’ve listed in this guide. The agency that’s right for you won’t have a problem answering each of them.
When you finally choose an agency, how to choose the best digital agency for your business will no longer be a mystery – you’ll have clear criteria and concrete tools for evaluation.
Your business’s digital transformation starts with the right partner. Invest time in choosing now, and you’ll save a lot of time, money, and nerves later.
Ready to take the next step? Contact us for a free consultation and find out how we can help your business shine online. Share this guide with fellow entrepreneurs – it might be useful to them too.
Three Key Tips from This Blog:
1. Prepare before contact – Clearly define your goals, budget, and expectations before starting conversations with agencies.
2. Ask for proof, not promises – Insist on concrete examples of success, references, and a detailed explanation of the work process.
3. Focus on value, not price – The cheapest option is rarely the best. Choose an agency that understands your business and can provide long-term value.
