What you need to know when building a website for your business

So, you are thinking about getting a website for your business. Do not overlook this part of the process because not everyone who says they can deliver a good website actually will.

I am almost writing this out of frustration. Too many agencies and so-called “web designers” pump out poor quality work and take advantage of business owners who do not know any better. And why would you? Unless you work in the industry, websites can feel like a mystery.

It is the same story across many trades. The term 'Cowboys' underquote, cut corners, and leave you with a job that does not last. The same thing happens in the digital industry, except there are no licenses or qualifications required to call yourself a web developer. That is why I am writing this, so you can spot the warning signs and avoid wasting thousands on a site that delivers nothing.

How do you know if you can trust someone?

The first thing to look at is their work. A web designer or agency’s own website and their past projects will speak louder than anything they say to you. If what you see looks under par, do not think you will be the exception.

If they cannot build a solid website for themselves, how are they going to do it for you?

But do not stop at just looking at their portfolio. Trust is also built on what others say about them. Read their reviews and testimonials, and if you can, ask to speak to one of their past clients. If they are proud of their work, they will have no problem putting you in touch with people they have worked with before.

Transparency is another big one. A trustworthy agency will explain their process in clear terms, not with confusing jargon. If someone cannot explain what they are doing in a way you can understand, that is usually a sign they are hiding something.

And finally, pay attention to how they communicate with you in the early stages. Are they slow to reply? Do they avoid answering your questions directly? If so, imagine what it will be like once you have signed on and handed over your money.

Trust is about more than a good looking portfolio. It is about their work, their reputation, and the way they deal with you from day one.

Avoid any outsourcing

Outsourcing is one of the biggest red flags in this industry. Too many agencies have a slick salesperson here in Australia who sounds great when you first speak to them, but as soon as the deal is signed your project is shipped overseas for a fraction of the cost.

Now, do not get me wrong. There are talented people overseas. But when agencies outsource like this, they are not looking for talent, they are looking for cheap. And in websites, just like in anything else, you get what you pay for.

What happens then? You end up with a clunky, broken website that needs fixing, and you end up paying twice.

Is the website built for your goals?

This is the difference between a website that looks fine and one that works. A proper website should be designed around your business goals, whether that is generating leads, selling products, or building trust in your brand.

Too often, sites are built just to get something online without any thought to traffic or conversions. That is how you end up with a site that gets ten visitors a month and zero enquiries.

Ownership and access

Now this is handled differently by many agencies. I recommend that your agency or web manager takes care of the technical side of your site because it can get complicated and it is easy to break things if you are not familiar with the tools.

However, what is important is that you have a clear contract stating that you own the website. You should never have trouble changing agencies or managers if you decide to move on.

This is critical because you might stay with the same agency for years, and then one day they start increasing their prices to something unreasonable. All of a sudden you are stuck choosing between paying a price you cannot keep up with or starting completely from scratch. Please make sure ownership is outlined from the very beginning.

Clear pricing and future costs

Transparency is non-negotiable. A good agency should give you a clear breakdown of what is included in the project, how long it will take, and what ongoing costs you will need to budget for.

If someone is vague about pricing, or if you get hit with hidden extras like SEO setup or mobile optimisation after signing, that is a red flag. These things should be standard, not add-ons.

You should also have it written down exactly what kind of work is included in your monthly fees and what type of work would need an additional quote. Many agencies include a set number of hours each month for updates or support, but you want this discussed and laid out clearly so you are not shocked when extra charges appear.

It is also smart to ask about ongoing costs such as:

• Hosting fees

• Maintenance or updates

• Optional extras such as analytics or advanced SEO

Knowing these upfront saves you from nasty surprises later.

Final thoughts

Building a website is an investment, and like any investment, you need the right partner. Look for someone who is transparent, produces quality work, and aligns the site with your goals.

If you follow these principles, you will save yourself stress, wasted money and years stuck with a site that does not deliver.

And if you ever want to chat about building a website the right way, my doors at Digital Roads are always open.