How to Choose a Website Development Company in India: 12 Questions to Ask

Short answer: Choose a web developer by looking at their live work, getting a written fixed quote, and confirming that you’ll own the domain, hosting and code. Ask how fast the site will be on mobile, who writes the content, what’s included in SEO, and what happens after launch. The cheapest quote is rarely the cheapest website.

Most business owners hire a web developer only once every few years, so it’s hard to know what to ask. These 12 questions cover what matters.

Before the call

Write down three things: what the website should help you get (calls, bookings, orders), roughly how many pages you need, and your budget range. It makes quotes comparable and saves everyone time.

The 12 questions

About their work

1. Can I see three live websites you built? Not screenshots: live links. Open them on your phone. Are they fast? Is it easy to call or message the business?

2. What results did those websites get? Good developers can tell you what changed: more enquiries, faster load time, better rankings. Vague answers are a warning sign.

3. Who will actually build my website? The person you talk to, a team member, or a subcontractor? You want to know who to contact when something breaks.

About price and time

4. Can I get a written, fixed quote? It should list pages, features, timeline, number of design revisions and what’s not included.

5. What will I pay every year after launch? Domain, hosting, plugins or apps, and maintenance. Hidden yearly costs are where cheap websites get expensive.

6. How long will it take, and what do you need from me? Delays usually come from waiting for content and feedback. A good developer gives a clear list and timeline.

About quality

7. How fast will the site load on mobile? Ask for a target, such as a Google PageSpeed mobile score of 90 or more, and whether they’ll fix it if it misses.

8. What SEO is included? At minimum: page titles and descriptions, headings, a sitemap, Search Console setup and mobile-friendly design.

9. Who writes the content? If you’re expected to write everything, budget the time. If they write it, ask for samples.

About ownership and support

10. Will the domain, hosting and code be in my name? This is the most important question on the list. If they own your domain, they own your website.

11. Can I update the site myself? You should be able to change text, photos and prices without paying each time.

12. What happens after launch? How long are bug fixes free? What does ongoing support cost? How fast do they reply?

Red flags

• A price given before they understand what you need
• No live work to show
• Asking for 100% payment upfront
• Domain or hosting registered in their name
• Promises of “guaranteed first page on Google”
• Long silence between messages before you’ve even paid

Freelancer, small studio or agency?

• Freelancer: often the lowest price; the risk is availability if they get busy.
• Small studio: a small team, more reliable than one person, still affordable. The right fit for most small businesses.
• Large agency: best for complex projects and big budgets, with strategy, design and copy teams.

FAQ