What is your design process. And what are the stages from brief to final delivery?

A defined design process typically includes: discovery and brief, information architecture, wireframes, visual design concepts, revision rounds, and final design files. Agencies that skip wireframes and go straight to high-fidelity visuals frequently produce designs that look good but do not convert. Ask for a specific description of each stage.

How many revision rounds are included in the quoted price?

Clarify revision scope: how many rounds on wireframes, how many on visual design, and what constitutes a 'revision' vs. a 'new direction' that incurs additional cost. Two to three rounds on each stage is standard. Unlimited revisions is a red flag. It either means the agency does not value its time or is charging a premium that is not transparent.

Will you provide Figma (or equivalent) source files on delivery?

You should receive editable source files. Not just exported PNG/JPG images. Source files give your development team (or future agency) the ability to implement the design accurately and make future changes without redesigning from scratch.

Who in your team will work on my project?

Ask to meet the designer who will actually work on your project. Not just the account manager or business development person you met in the pitch. Some agencies pitch senior talent and deliver junior work. Knowing exactly who will be on your project is essential.

Do you have experience designing for my industry?

A designer experienced with B2B SaaS products understands information hierarchy for complex feature sets. One experienced with D2C e-commerce understands conversion-optimised product pages. Industry experience reduces briefing time and lowers the risk of tone-deaf design decisions.

How do you ensure the design performs well on mobile?

Ask to see mobile designs for portfolio projects. Specifically whether they design mobile-first or adapt desktop designs for mobile. Desktop-first design adapted to mobile typically produces inferior mobile experiences. Confirm mobile design is treated as a primary deliverable, not an afterthought.

Will you provide any input on user experience and conversion. Or only visual design?

The best design agencies consider user journeys, call-to-action placement, and conversion flow as part of the design brief. Agencies that focus exclusively on aesthetics without asking about your conversion goals are delivering less than the full value of a design engagement.

What is the payment schedule and what are the payment milestones tied to?

Milestones should be tied to deliverable approval: 40–50% upfront, a portion on wireframe approval, balance on final design delivery. Avoid arrangements where you pay for time rather than deliverables.

How do you handle projects that go significantly over the agreed timeline?

Ask specifically: if the project takes twice as long as quoted due to the agency's workload or resourcing, who bears that cost? A professional agency absorbs scope as specified. Delays caused by the agency should not result in additional fees for the client.

Can I speak to a recent client whose project is similar to mine?

A reference conversation tells you things a portfolio cannot: how responsive they were to feedback, whether they met timelines, and whether the final deliverable matched the pitch. Any agency that hesitates to provide a recent reference warrants scrutiny.

Web Development

10 Questions to Ask a Web Design Agency Before You Sign

The 10 questions to ask any web design agency before you commit. Covering process, deliverables, revisions, and what to watch for.

Ajsal Abbas

9 March 2026

5 min read

Quick summary

The 10 questions to ask any web design agency before you commit. Covering process, deliverables, revisions, and what to watch for.

What to establish before engaging a design agency

Web design agencies vary enormously in their process, deliverable quality, and what is actually included in a quoted price. These questions clarify scope, set expectations, and surface the red flags that are not obvious in a first pitch meeting.

The 10 questions

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