«Do I own the code and the content?»
The right answer is yes. You must remain the owner of everything: domain, code, text and images, without depending on anyone.
Guides
How to choose who builds your website
Handing your site to the wrong person costs time, money and often a rebuild. Here's how to tell, before you sign, who you're really dealing with.
In short
To choose who builds your site, look beyond price: ask who owns the code and content, whether performance, SEO and accessibility are included, how post-launch support works and who will maintain the site. Beware vague quotes, unrealistic timelines and «all-inclusive» with no detail. Always put scope, timing and ownership in writing before you sign.
Gian Luca Partengo
Web developer since 1995 · bespoke websites · Updated:
Choosing who builds your site is like choosing a craftsman: price matters, but skill, transparency and continuity matter more. A site that starts off badly gets paid for twice.
You don't need to be technical to figure it out: the right questions are enough. And knowing what a site really costs protects you from offers that are too good to be true.
6questions that reveal a serious professional
1single point of contact, start to finish
0hidden costs in an honest quote
What questions should you ask?
Six simple questions that instantly tell you who you're talking to.
«What's included in the price?»
A professional puts in writing what they do and don't do. If the scope is vague, the extras arrive later, by surprise.
«Who maintains the site after launch?»
Updates, backups, small changes: clarify up front who handles them and on what terms.
«Are performance and SEO included?»
Speed and technical SEO aren't a luxury: they should be standard, not a package sold separately.
«Who do I talk to during the project?»
A single contact who knows the project is worth more than a call centre that bounces your requests around.
«Can I see work you've already done?»
A real, verifiable portfolio says more than a thousand promises. Ask for links to live sites, not just images.
What are the warning signs?
If you notice any of these red flags, stop and ask more questions.
- Suspiciously low price: often it means a recycled template and no support.
- No written quote or clear scope of what's included.
- They won't give you access to and ownership of the domain or code.
- «Guaranteed first on Google»: no one can guarantee it, it's an empty promise.
- No concrete work to show, only mockups or images.
- Disappears after payment: no clear contact channel after launch.
Freelancer, agency or DIY platform?
Three different roads. Which one fits depends on budget, time and goals.
DIY platform
Cheap and quick to start, but with limits on design, performance and SEO. The time is on you.
Agency
Structure and more people, but higher costs and often a changing point of contact. Suited to large projects.
Custom freelancer
A single contact, a hand-built site and a direct relationship. The right balance for SMEs and professionals.
What must be there, in writing?
A serious quote isn't a number on WhatsApp: it's a clear document that protects both sides. Before you sign, check it's all there.
Transparency at the quote stage previews what working together will be like. If you want a benchmark, look at the work I've delivered and how I present it.
Before choosing, get clear on budget. How much a website costs.
In a serious quote
- Clear scope: what's included and what isn't
- Fixed price and payment terms
- Realistic delivery times
- Ownership of domain, code and content
- Performance, technical SEO and accessibility included
- Post-launch support, clear and optional
Frequently asked questions
The most common doubts before choosing who builds your site.
Freelancer or agency for my website?
It depends on the project. An agency has more structure but higher costs and changing contacts; a custom freelancer offers a single point of contact and a direct relationship, ideal for SMEs and professionals.
How do I know if a quote is honest?
It must be in writing, with a clear scope, a fixed price, realistic times and code ownership going to you. If performance and SEO are included and not «extras», that's a good sign.
Is the lowest price always the worst choice?
Not always, but a suspiciously low price often hides recycled templates, no support and hidden costs later. What counts is the balance of price, quality and cost over time.
Can I ask to see work already done?
Absolutely, and it's recommended. Ask for links to sites that are genuinely live, not just images: you can check their speed and quality with free tools like Google Lighthouse.
Who maintains the site after launch?
It should be clarified up front. A hand-built site needs very little maintenance; still, make sure you have a clear contact channel for updates and small changes.
What happens if I choose the wrong person?
In the worst case you end up with no access, a slow site that isn't yours, and you have to start over. That's why the right questions up front are worth more than any discount.
Next step
Want to talk about your project?
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