There are more than 10,000 web agencies and freelancers in France. Offers range from €300 to €50,000 for “a website”. So how to choose? Here are 8 concrete criteria to identify the right service provider — and avoid unpleasant surprises.
1. A portfolio aligned with your sector
Look at the sites created by the agency. Do they correspond to your sector or your type of project? An agency that is used to creating sites for artisans does not have the same reflexes as an agency specializing in e-commerce or the institutional sector.
Test portfolio sites: are they fast? Rendered well on mobile? Professionals? This is a direct indicator of what you will get.
2. Transparency on the technologies used
Ask clearly: what technology will your site be built on? WordPress, Drupal, custom development, Webflow? And above all: will you have access and ownership of the code and files upon delivery?
Be wary of service providers who “rent” your site or who refuse to give you access to the source code.
3. Clarity of the quote
A professional quote details what it includes and — just as importantly — what it doesn’t include:
- Number of pages included
- Writing of texts (included or not?)
- Supplier of visuals (stock photo, illustration, photographer?)
- Getting started training
- Guarantee period
- Hosting and domain name (included or optional?)
A quote that fits in 2 lines is a quote at risk.
4. The working method and validation points
How is the project taking place in practice? How many round trips are planned? When are you consulted? Who is your main contact?
A good service provider has a clear process. It presents the steps, deadlines and responsibilities of each party.
5. Responsiveness before signature
The way an agency responds to your emails and calls before you sign exactly predicts its responsiveness after. If you wait 5 days to get feedback on your quote request, imagine what it will be like for a bug on D-day.
6. Verified customer reviews
Google, Facebook, Trustpilot: look for authentic reviews, not just testimonials selected from the agency's website. Look at how negative reviews are handled — how you respond to criticism says as much as praise.
Don’t hesitate to ask for direct references and contact previous clients.
7. Maintenance and post-delivery monitoring
A delivered site is just the beginning. Ask: what happens 6 months after delivery if you have a bug? Is there a maintenance contract? How quickly do we respond to emergencies?
An agency that does not offer maintenance is an agency that delivers to you and disappears. It is not a partner, it is a one-off service provider.
8. Human adequacy
Last criterion, and not least: is the current flowing? A web project lasts several weeks to several months. You will share information about your activity, your positioning, your vision. Working with someone you trust and with whom communication is fluid makes a huge difference in the quality of the end result.
Questions to ask during your first meeting
- Who will actually be in charge of my project?
- How many projects do you manage in parallel?
- What happens if deadlines are not met?
- Can I directly contact clients you have supported?
- Does the site belong to me in full upon delivery?
