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There are more than 10,000 web agencies and freelancers in France. Offers for “a website” range from €300 to €50,000. So how do you choose? Here are 8 practical criteria for finding the right provider and avoiding unpleasant surprises.
1. A portfolio that matches your sector
Look at the websites the agency has built. Do they match your sector or your type of project? An agency used to building websites for tradespeople does not have the same instincts as one that specialises in e-commerce or the public sector.
Test the websites in the portfolio: are they fast? Do they look good on mobile? Do they look professional? It is a direct indication of what you will get.
2. Transparency about the technology used
Ask clearly: what technology will your website be built on? WordPress, Drupal, custom development, Webflow? And above all: will you have access to, and ownership of, the code and files on delivery?
Be wary of providers who “rent” you your website or refuse to give you access to the source code.
3. A clear quote
A professional quote details what it includes and, just as importantly, what it does not:
- Number of pages included
- Copywriting (included or not?)
- Source of the visuals (stock photos, illustrations, a photographer?)
- Training so you can manage the website
- Length of the warranty
- Hosting and domain name (included or optional?)
A quote that fits on 2 lines is a risky quote.
4. The working method and sign-off points
How does the project actually run? How many rounds of revisions are planned? At what stages will you be consulted? Who is your main point of contact?
A good provider has a clear process. They set out the stages, the deadlines and each party’s responsibilities.
5. Responsiveness before you sign
The way an agency answers your emails and calls before you have signed is exactly how responsive it will be afterwards. If you wait 5 days for a reply to your quote request, imagine what it will be like when there is a bug on launch day.
6. Verified customer reviews
Google, Facebook, Trustpilot: look for genuine reviews, not just the testimonials selected for the agency’s website. See how negative reviews are handled: the way an agency responds to criticism says as much as the praise.
Do not hesitate to ask for direct references and to contact former clients.
7. Maintenance and support after delivery
A delivered website is only the beginning. Ask: what happens if you find a bug 6 months after delivery? Is there a maintenance contract? How quickly are emergencies handled?
An agency that does not offer maintenance delivers your website and disappears. That is not a partner, just a one-off supplier.
8. A good personal fit
The last criterion, and by no means the least: do you get on? A web project lasts from several weeks to several months. You will share information about your business, your positioning and your vision. Working with someone you trust and communicate easily with makes a huge difference to the quality of the final result.
Questions to ask at your first meeting
- Who exactly will be in charge of my project?
- How many projects do you run at the same time?
- What happens if the deadlines are missed?
- Can I contact clients you have worked with directly?
- Will I fully own the website on delivery?
Freelance web developer and designer in Toulouse, France, since 2009. I design and code every site myself, from the brief to launch, for small businesses, tradespeople and independent professionals who want a website that brings in clients, not just visits. 17 years in the trade, 19 Google reviews at 5/5.
See my background
