Start with proof, not promises
Ask for three live sites the team shipped in the last year, then actually use them on a mid-range phone over mobile data. Check speed, check the contact form, check what happens at odd screen sizes. A portfolio that only exists as screenshots is a warning. So is a portfolio where every site looks like the same template wearing different colours. You are hiring judgement, and judgement shows up in shipped work.
Interrogate the stack and the handover
A good partner explains their stack in one plain sentence and tells you exactly what you own at the end: code, hosting access, domain, analytics, design files. Insist on full admin ownership of every account created in your name. If the agency hosts everything under their own logins, leaving them later becomes hostage negotiation. Written handover terms cost nothing now and save lakhs later.
Understand the pricing model you are buying
Fixed-price works when scope is genuinely fixed, which is rarer than it sounds. Retainers work when the site keeps evolving. Hourly billing without a cap is where budgets go to die. Whatever the model, ask what happens when scope changes, because it will. The professional answer is a written change process, not a shrug and a revised invoice.
Watch for the five red flags
No questions about your business goals. A quote delivered within an hour of your first call. Reluctance to share client references. Lifetime SEO promises bundled free. And a contract that never mentions who owns the code. Any one of these is survivable. Two or more, walk away politely and keep your deposit.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a business website cost in India?
Anywhere from thirty thousand rupees for a tight brochure site to several lakhs for custom platforms. Price follows scope, integrations and who is doing the thinking, not just the typing.
How long should a website project take?
A focused brochure site ships in three to five weeks. E-commerce and custom builds run eight to sixteen. Timelines mostly slip on content and approvals, so prepare both early.
Should I choose WordPress or custom code?
WordPress suits content-led sites your team edits often. Custom stacks suit product platforms and unusual requirements. Choose based on who maintains it after launch.
Ready to move? Explore our web and app development or start a conversation and we will map the fastest route for your situation.