4 Questions to Ask Before You Hire a Web Partner
Four Essential Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Web Partner
At Pixo, we’re not just in the business of building websites. We help organizations make smart, sustainable choices about their digital presence. That’s why we were so excited to sponsor and attend WebCon 2025. It gave us a chance to connect with folks across higher ed and the public sector, and dig into what makes a website redesign actually work in the real world. With WebCon 2026 on the horizon, we’re taking a moment to revisit what inspired us at the 2025 conference.
There were many amazing talks, but one talk in particular stood out. It was packed with straightforward, smart advice on how to choose the right partner for your website project. We nodded along to so much of it that we figured: why not keep the conversation going?
If you’re planning a site rebuild, here are four essential questions to ask any potential vendor. These will help you get beyond the sales pitch and into what really matters.
1. Do they understand your space (and your starting point)?
Not every agency is built for every kind of project. A team that builds slick e-commerce experiences for global retailers might not be the best fit for a nonprofit trying to stretch a limited budget, or a university department navigating multiple stakeholders and legacy systems.
At Pixo, we love solving complex problems with custom technologies. Whether you’re in higher ed, nonprofits, or agtech, we can make your work and life easier with technology. If that sounds like your world, great. But whoever you work with, make sure to ask:
- Have you done work in our industry before?
- Can you share case studies or examples that feel similar to our needs?
- What does your onboarding process look like? Who will we meet early on, and how do you set projects up for success?
A thoughtful, transparent kickoff process is usually a good sign that a team knows how to guide you through what’s ahead.
2. What’s their approach to content?
Content strategy is often the most underestimated part of a web project. It’s also the most likely to blow up your timeline if it’s not handled well.
At Pixo, we start with content strategy every time. That means structured, collaborative workshops to define your audience’s needs and key messages, and a plan for how content will actually be integrated into your site.
Ask your potential partner:
- Where does content strategy fall in your process?
- What is your process to understand the audience(s) our site will cater to?
- Do you provide a content plan prior to development?
- Will we work with a dedicated strategist—or be left to sort it out ourselves?
Your site should reflect who you are and what your users need. A strong content partner will help make that happen.
3. How do they plan for performance and security?
It’s easy to get excited about shiny new designs. But the real test comes months (and years) after launch. Will your site load quickly? Stay secure? Scale as your needs evolve?
We take that seriously at Pixo. Our maintenance agreements include regular health scans, uptime monitoring, performance audits, and security monitoring, because keeping your site healthy is part of the job, not a bonus add-on.
Here’s what to ask:
- Do you measure site performance before and after launch?
- What security protocols and hosting options do you recommend?
- How long is the post-launch maintenance period, and what is included in that?
A good vendor should be able to talk specifics—like Core Web Vitals, site speed scores, and caching—not just throw around jargon.
4. What happens after launch? Are they in it for the long haul?
A website launch isn’t the end of the road: it’s the beginning of a new phase. You’ll have questions. New goals. Content updates. Technical maintenance.
That’s why at Pixo, we treat post-launch support as a real partnership. Our maintenance agreements are built to be flexible, proactive, and strategic. We know your needs won’t stay static, and we keep an eye on the long-term health of your site.
Before you commit to a vendor, ask:
- What’s included in your ongoing support?
- Can we get strategic input, not just bug fixes?
- How do we request new features or evolve the site over time?
The right partner won’t disappear after launch. They’ll stick with you and help you grow.
Final thought: Don’t just check boxes. Look for alignment.
At the end of the day, choosing a web partner isn’t about finding someone with a certain checklist. It’s about working with a team that asks smart questions, listens well, and brings the right mix of clarity and care to the table.
At Pixo, we’ve built our reputation on doing just that.
Got a project in mind, or looking for feedback on a vendor proposal? We’re happy to talk.
What else can I expect from my website project?
Check out these other posts from our blog if you’re wondering what else you might expect when working with a web agency partner: