Ordering a website is a serious decision. Most entrepreneurs face the same problems: the developer disappeared after payment, the site "doesn't take off" in Google, or the resource looks outdated after a year. To protect your budget and get a really effective tool for attracting customers, you need to know the right questions even before signing the contract.

In this article, we'll break down the 7 key questions that separate a competent developer from a bad performer.

1. On which technological stack will the site be built?

This is the first and most important question. The answer gives you an idea of ​​how fast, secure and scalable the site will be in the future.

What to look for in an answer:

  • Modern frameworks (Next.js, Nuxt, Astro): Such technologies provide maximum loading speed and built-in SEO optimization. A site on Next.js generates static HTML pages that load instantly and are well indexed by Google.
  • WordPress: Suitable for blogs and simple sites, but requires constant plugin updates and has security risks. Find out how protection issues will be resolved.
  • Builders (Tilda, Wix): Convenient, but have limitations in functionality and SEO. You don't have full control over the code, and you won't be able to move your site to another provider without incurring significant costs.

Tip: Ask the developer why he chose this particular stack for your project. A competent specialist will always be able to explain his choice.

2. How is the issue of SEO optimization solved?

A site that can't be found by Google is just an expensive online brochure. Technical SEO should be built into the site's architecture from the very beginning, not added "later" as a separate service.

Check for the following:

  • Meta tags and Open Graph: Unique title and description for each page. Without it, Google doesn't know what your site is about.
  • Structured Data (Schema.org / JSON-LD): Help the search engine display advanced results (star ratings, prices, breadcrumbs) directly in the output.
  • Load Speed ​​(Core Web Vitals): Google directly factors LCP, INP and CLS into ranking. The site must have 100/100 in Google PageSpeed ​​Insights.
  • Sitemap and robots.txt: Files that tell the search engine which pages to index.

3. Who will own the domain and hosting?

This is a matter of security for your business. A very common situation: the developer registers the domain and hosting for himself, and in the event of a conflict, you lose access to your own site.

Rule: The domain and hosting must always be registered to you or your company. The developer can have maintenance access, but you must be the owner.

Where to register:

4. What will the project transfer process and documentation look like?

After the development is completed, you should receive not just "keys to the site", but a complete package of materials:

  • Source code in your own repository (GitHub, GitLab)
  • Administrative instructions: How to update content, add a new page, change contact information
  • List of all used services with logins and passwords (Google Analytics, Search Console, mail services, etc.)
  • Brief technical documentation: How to deploy the project, what dependencies are used

If the developer refuses to provide the code or says "it's their intellectual property" that's a red flag. You pay for the development and you are entitled to the result.

5. Is there adaptability for mobile devices?

In 2026, over 65% of traffic will come from mobile devices. Google uses the Mobile-First Indexing approach, which means that it first crawls and evaluates the mobile version of your site.

What to check:

  • Ask to show examples of previous work on a mobile phone
  • Make sure buttons and forms are easy to click with your finger (minimum size is 44x44 pixels)
  • Fonts must be readable without scaling (minimum 16px)
  • Images should not extend beyond the screen

6. What happens after launch? Is there warranty support?

Any project needs support after launch. Ask about the terms of the warranty and further service.

Typical warranty conditions:

Tip: Immediately agree whether a content management system (CMS) will be installed, through which you will be able to independently edit texts and add articles to the blog without contacting the developer.

7. How is the result measured? What are the KPIs of the project?

Service

Standard term

Fixing critical bugs

30-90 days free

Update dependencies (npm, plugins)

under a separate contract

Changes in content

under a separate contract or independently through CMS

Technical support (SLA)

24h or 48h response

A website is a business tool, not a work of art. The result must be measurable.

Ask the developer to agree on the following KPIs:

  • PageSpeed ​​Score: Minimum 90/100 for mobile and desktop
  • First Page Load Time (LCP): Up to 2.5 seconds
  • Proper indexing in Google Search Console: All key pages should be indexed within 2-4 weeks of launch
  • No errors in Google Search Console: No critical warnings after transfer

Bonus: Checklist for comparing offers

If you have received several commercial offers from different agencies, use this table to compare them:

Conclusion

By ordering a website, you are investing in the future of your business. The right questions at the start will help you avoid common mistakes, protect your budget and get a tool that will really attract customers.

Criterion

Agency 1

Agency 2

Modern Stack (Next.js / Nuxt)

✅ / ❌

✅ / ❌

SEO is included in the cost

✅ / ❌

✅ / ❌

Domain and hosting for the customer ✅ / ❌

✅ / ❌

Передача вихідного коду

✅ / ❌

✅ / ❌

Mobile adaptation

✅ / ❌

✅ / ❌

Warranty support (months)

N

N

KPIs are written in the contract ✅ / ❌

✅ / ❌

At SiteNest Agency, we openly answer all these questions at the stage of a free consultation. We build sites using modern technologies (Next.js), include technical SEO and transfer full control over the project to the customer. Contact us — and we'll help your business get online right the first time.