There are dozens of web design agencies and freelancers operating in Edinburgh. Choosing the wrong one is an expensive mistake, not just financially but in the months of delays and back-and-forth it can cost you. Here is what to look for before you commit.
Look at real work, not mock-ups or templates
Any agency can show you a polished mock-up in a presentation. What you want to see is live, working websites that are actually out in the world. Click through to the sites in their portfolio. Check how they perform on your phone. Try the contact forms. Read the copy. A portfolio of genuinely well-executed live sites is the strongest possible evidence that an agency can deliver. Our case studies show real Edinburgh businesses we have worked with and what we built for them.
Pay attention to how they communicate from day one
The way an agency communicates during the sales process is a direct preview of how they will communicate during your project. If they take days to reply to an initial enquiry, miss calls or give vague answers to straightforward questions, that behaviour does not improve once you have signed. The agencies that are responsive, clear and honest before you have given them any money tend to stay that way throughout.
Understand exactly what is included and what is not
Web design quotes vary wildly because agencies include very different things. Some quotes cover design only. Others include copywriting, SEO setup, stock photography, hosting setup and post-launch support. Make sure you know what you are actually getting before comparing prices. A £900 quote with no SEO setup, no copy and no support is not cheaper than a £1,400 package that includes all three, it just has hidden costs you will pay later. See what our packages include.
Ask who will actually build your site
Some agencies sell the work and then outsource the build to a junior contractor or an overseas team you have no contact with. This is not always a problem but it is worth knowing in advance. Ask directly who will design and build your site and whether you will have any contact with them. Knowing there is a real, accountable person behind the work makes the whole process smoother.
Be cautious of very low quotes and very long timelines
A professional small business site built properly takes time and costs money. Quotes significantly below the market rate usually reflect one of three things: the site will be built on a heavily restricted template, the work will be outsourced at minimal cost, or the agency is underpricing to win work and will either cut corners or come back with change requests. Equally, a local agency quoting twelve weeks to build a five page site is a red flag, a well run agency should be able to deliver that in three to four weeks from a signed brief.
What working with us looks like
We are a small Edinburgh agency and we are open about how we work. You deal directly with the people building your site. We have a clear process from discovery through to launch that you can read about on our process page. Our pricing is fixed and transparent with no surprise additions. If we are not the right fit for your project we will tell you. Get in touch and we will give you a straight answer on whether we can help and what it would cost.
Ready to talk? We offer a free initial consultation with no pressure and no jargon. Use our project estimator first if you want a rough idea of cost, or get in touch directly.