Resource
How to choose a website partner
What to ask before choosing someone to build your website.
Open a few websites from their portfolio on your phone. Try the menu and contact form, and see how easy it is to work out what each business does. Ask which parts they designed and built, and whether a project is client work or a concept.
Before agreeing to a project, ask for a written scope: the pages, features, number of reviews, timeline, and total price. Check who supplies the words and photos, who owns the domain, and what happens if you need changes after launch. Both sides should be able to explain the agreement in plain language.