Ordering a website is more than choosing a design and a price. Without the right questions, the project drags on, the budget grows and the result falls short of expectations. In this article we have collected 10 questions to ask yourself and the team you choose before ordering a website. We cover the price separately in «How much does a website cost?».
Questions to ask yourself before ordering
1. Why do you need the website?
Collecting enquiries, selling online, presenting the company or hiring staff — the goal defines the structure, features and budget of the site.
2. What type of website do you need?
A one-page landing page, a corporate website, an online store or a custom platform. A landing page may be enough to start small, while selling hundreds of products needs an online store.
3. Which pages and features should it have?
Write the list in advance: services, portfolio, blog, contact form, online payment, multiple languages, a personal account. This list is the core of the brief — we explain how to write one in «What is a brief and how to write it?».
4. What are the budget and timeline?
A realistic budget range and your preferred start date help the team prepare an accurate proposal.
Questions to ask the team
5. Do you have similar projects?
Look at the portfolio: are the sites live, do they load fast, are they easy to use on a phone? If possible, talk to previous clients.
6. Is the design custom or a ready-made template?
A template is cheaper, but your site may look like your competitors’. A custom design is built around your business and brand.
7. Will I be able to manage the site myself?
There should be an admin panel so you can change texts, images, prices and news without a developer.
8. Are SEO and speed taken into account?
Titles and descriptions, the sitemap, mobile-friendliness and speed should be built in during development, not added later. We have collected the other requirements of a professional website in our «12-point checklist».
9. Whose name will the domain, hosting and code be in?
The domain and hosting should be registered in your name, and the site’s code and content should be handed over to you. This belongs in the contract.
10. Is there support after launch?
Find out in advance how long support lasts and what it covers: bug fixes, updates and small changes.
What should the contract include?
The scope of work and list of pages, stages and deadlines, the payment schedule, the number of revision rounds, handover terms, ownership of the domain and code, and the support period. A clear contract protects both you and the team.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to build a website?
Simple corporate websites usually take 2–4 weeks, while online stores and custom systems take 6–12 weeks. An exact timeline is given once the technical brief is approved.
How does payment work?
The most convenient model is staged payment: work starts with an initial payment, and the rest is split across agreed stages. This keeps things transparent for both sides.
Can an existing website be updated?
Yes. First, a technical and design audit of the site is carried out, then a plan to improve performance, security and design is prepared. Sometimes updating is more cost-effective, sometimes rebuilding from scratch.
How ordering a website works at NS Studio
We start with a free consultation to understand your goals and needs, then prepare the brief and structure and move on to design, development and SEO. We approve every stage with you and hand over the site with an admin panel and 3 months of free technical support. Learn more about our website development service, see our work in the portfolio or get in touch.
