Before looking for a partner to build your website or online store, it's worth answering a few questions for yourself:
- Do I need professionally done work, or will a minimal solution do?
- Will I need ongoing maintenance and improvements later, or will I just look for a new partner whenever changes are needed?
- Do I want advice on the solutions chosen, or do I already have a clear technical brief?
- Does it matter that the website runs securely and long-term, or is this a temporary solution?
The answers to these questions determine what kind of partner is worth looking for - and how much time that search deserves.
When a minimal solution is enough
- a first informational website
- no changes planned down the line
- just want to try it out
In that case, the market has plenty of students and beginners who'll build the website you want for a third of the market price. The risk is low, because so are the expectations. For more on what to expect from the cheapest package, read here.
When you need a long-term, professional partner
If you're planning a long-term, professional website and want advice on the possible solutions - choosing carefully matters.
Most people get lost among offers at this stage and don't know who to trust. That's understandable, but the decision made at the very start matters - halfway through a project, nobody wants to switch partners and re-explain the whole context from scratch. Worst case - the provider "disappears" along with the deposit paid, or the moment the first real problem shows up. This happens more often than it seems.
A few rules we recommend following when choosing:
1. Legal status
Ideally your partner should be a registered company - that gives you the most information about the provider. For small projects, being self-employed works too. But never choose a provider with no legal status at all - in that case you're the one taking the risk, and even a contract won't protect you from fraud if there's no one on the other side to hold to it.
2. Reviews
Reviews aren't hard to fake, but comparing a few different providers you'll quickly spot which reviews feel genuine (often with company details or links to client sites) and which look made up. If a provider claims to have been in business for years, the reviews should reflect that.
If it's a company - check an official business registry. If it's a sole trader, that option usually isn't available, so your best bet is checking Google or elsewhere for complaints from unhappy clients.
3. Past work
Serious providers show their completed work on their own website. If none is publicly shown - it's worth asking directly, though that raises the question of why it isn't shown on its own, and whether the provider actually did the whole job or just part of it.
If you're curious, you can reach out to the clients behind the listed projects and ask for their opinion - usually the best way to be sure.
4. Contract
Regardless of project size, working without a contract is always worse for the client, not the provider. Without a contract there's no proof of what was supposed to be delivered, by when, or how extra work gets billed. If the result doesn't satisfy you - you'll be left in a very uncomfortable position.
5. Communication
A major problem in this market is providers "vanishing" for an indefinite time. Pay attention to:
- whether the response time is reasonable
- whether questions get answered clearly
- whether what was agreed verbally or by email is correctly reflected in the contract
If you already notice delays or vagueness at the communication stage - the situation will likely only get worse once the project is underway.
Wrapping up
A minimal solution has its place - when you need something fast and cheap, with no long-term plans. But if the website is meant to become a business tool that grows with you - choosing the right partner deserves just as much attention as the website itself.
Not sure how to evaluate a partner or project you've been offered?
Tell us about your situation - we'll help you figure out what to look out for.