Search for "the best web design company in Riyadh" (or Dubai, or Cairo) and you will find dozens of options, all claiming to be the best. The truth is that the best company is the one that fits your project, budget and goals. Here are ten questions to ask any company before you sign, plus the red flags that can save you from a failed project.
10 Questions to Ask Before You Sign
1. Can I see live websites you have built?
Don't settle for screenshots in a portfolio. Ask for links to real, live websites, open them on your phone, and pay attention to speed and ease of use.
2. Who will actually work on my project?
Some companies sell the project and then hand it to outside freelancers. Find out who the designer is, who the developer is, and who is responsible for communicating with you.
3. Which technology will you use, and why?
A good company chooses technology based on your needs, not on habit. A simple company website may suit WordPress, while a platform or high-performance site may need Next.js or Laravel. See custom code vs WordPress vs website builders.
4. Is the quote fixed and in writing? What does it exclude?
Ask for a quote that specifies the number of pages, the features, the number of revision rounds, and anything that will be billed separately.
5. Who owns the domain, the hosting and the code?
All of them should be registered in your name. A company that keeps your domain in its own name can hold you hostage later.
6. Is the site SEO-ready from the start?
Ask about titles and descriptions for every page, load speed, the XML sitemap and the Google Search Console connection. Fixing SEO after launch is harder and more expensive.
7. How will the site look on mobile?
Ask to see the mobile design before you approve it. Most of your customers will visit from their phones.
8. What is the delivery plan, and who is responsible for delays?
Agree on a plan with clear milestones, and confirm exactly what the company needs from you (content, images, approvals) and when.
9. What happens after launch?
Ask what free support covers, how maintenance is billed, and how quickly they respond when something breaks.
10. Do you understand my market?
Persuasive content in both Arabic and English, WhatsApp, local payment gateways such as mada in Saudi Arabia or Fawry in Egypt, and data protection rules such as Saudi Arabia's PDPL are the details that make the difference in a website's results.
Red Flags: When to Walk Away
- A price far below the market with no explanation of what is included.
- A promise of guaranteed first place on Google or instant results. Nobody can guarantee that.
- Refusing to give you access to the domain, hosting or code.
- No contract or written proposal.
- A portfolio with no real links.
- Slow replies before you sign, which tells you what will happen after.
Quick Comparison Table
| Criterion | What to confirm |
|---|---|
| Past work | Live links to sites similar to your business |
| Quote | A fixed price and a written scope |
| Ownership | Domain and code in your name |
| SEO | Basic setup included in the price |
| Support | Clearly defined free support after launch |
| Communication | One accountable contact and a fast channel such as WhatsApp |
Want to put these 10 questions to us? Send us your project idea and we will answer every one of them in writing, with live examples of our work. Message us on WhatsApp.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the most expensive company always the best?
No. Compare what each quote includes, not just the number. Sometimes a higher price reflects support, SEO and content; sometimes it is just a big name.
Should I hire a company or a freelancer?
A freelancer works well for small, well-defined tasks. If your website is a main source of customers, you are better off with one team responsible for design, development, SEO and support together.
How many companies should I get quotes from?
Three is usually enough to compare without wasting your time.
Ask Us the 10 Questions
We welcome these questions at DevLabico: we will show you live websites we have built, give you a fixed written quote, and support you after launch. To see what a project should include from the start, read our guide to what a web design company in Riyadh should offer or our guide to choosing a web design company in Dubai. Message us on WhatsApp or contact us directly.
