To choose a web agency, look at three things before the price: work you can open and try, real or clearly labelled as demos, a written quote that says exactly what’s included, and a contract in which the domain and profiles are in your name. Be wary of anyone who guarantees first place on Google or in AI answers: nobody controls those results.
The 10 questions to ask.
1. Can I see real work?
Ask for websites built for real clients, ideally in your industry, and open them on your phone. Many agencies also show concepts, meaning demo projects: they’re perfectly fine for understanding the style, as long as they’re presented as such.
2. Who will look after my project?
Knowing who you’ll be talking to, from the first call to ongoing support, avoids handoffs and repeated explanations.
3. What exactly does the quote include?
Pages, features, copy, photos, Google optimisation, domain, hosting, support. A good quote is written, detailed and also states the timeline. Comparing two quotes without comparing what they include makes no sense.
4. Are there separate costs?
Some costs normally stay outside, like an e-commerce platform subscription or an ad campaign budget. What matters is knowing before you sign.
5. Will the domain and social profiles be in my name?
The domain is your business’s address on the internet: it must be yours, just like your social profiles and followers. Ask for it in writing.
6. How long is the contract and how do I cancel?
Minimum term, renewal and cancellation notice must be written in the contract, which you should read in your own time before signing.
7. How will you get me found on Google and by AI?
The right answer talks about content that answers customers’ questions, a fast and readable website, structured data and consistent information everywhere. The wrong answer is a guaranteed position. We explain it in our guide to SEO, AEO and GEO.
8. Will the website be fast and work perfectly on phones?
Most people arrive from their phone. Ask how the website will be tested on different screens and how speed will be handled.
9. Who will make changes after launch?
Hours that change, a new service, a photo to update: ask whether routine changes are included and how to request them.
10. How will I know if it’s working?
A periodic report, clear and with real numbers, tells you what’s working and what needs fixing, without having to interpret incomprehensible charts.
Warning signs.
- Guarantees of first place on Google or of citations in AI answers.
- No written quote, or a vague quote that keeps growing along the way.
- A domain registered to the agency instead of to you.
- Reviews that all look the same or are impossible to verify. By law, reviews must be genuine.
- “Best of” rankings written by the agency itself, with its own name at the top.
- No contract, or a contract you can’t read before paying.
How we handle these points.
For transparency, here are Aleryc’s answers to the same questions: the domain is registered in your name and the social profiles are yours; the website and its code remain Aleryc’s; we always start from a written quote and a contract, with a minimum term for each service (1 year for the website and for the QR code digital product “Standalone, changes often”, 6 months for SEO, AEO and GEO, 3 months for social media management) and then automatic renewal for the same length of time, unless cancelled with at least 30 days’ notice, with a penalty of 50% of the remaining monthly fees if you leave early; routine changes are included; our prices are published; you get a report every month; and we don’t guarantee rankings, because nobody can honestly do that. The first conversation, by video call (in Italian) or in writing through the form, is free and with no obligation: if we’re not the right choice for you, we’ll tell you.