Things to consider when choosing a bespoke WP web agency?

Contents

1. Why Choosing the Right Agency Matters
2. Checking Agency Credentials
3. Important Questions to Ask
4. Meet the Team Behind the Work
5. Red Flags to Watch Out For
6. Recovering from a Bad Experience

Web design agencies are two-a-penny, so how do you make sure you pick the right one for your project?

It’s very easy to set up a website claiming to be an established, busy and profitable web design agency when the person behind the site might be anything but.

We work with 100s of clients to provide new website design and build services, and we also provide support for nearly 200 sites, so we have broad experience in dealing with lots of clients with lots of different websites (whether we’ve built them or not).

The insight we have managed to gain from this is simple:

There are far too many people paying web agencies for extremely poor websites.

The benefits of bespoke WordPress development:

• Unlike off-the-shelf, templated options, a custom-built WordPress site ensures unique, quality-driven design and functionality.
• Bespoke WordPress services create sites that are optimised for performance, security, and user experience and tailored specifically to your goals.
• Custom agencies often provide ongoing support, which is critical for the longevity and maintenance of your website.

So, how do you know the web agency you are talking to will deliver?

Like a lot of things online, what we see at face value is not always real. It’s very easy for anyone to buy a cheap, professional-looking theme and set themselves up as a ‘web design agency’ with little effort. Just because something looks good online, it doesn’t mean the people behind it know what they are doing.

A lot of agency-related themes come pre-populated with text that unscrupulous people simply change to their own liking:

• 100s of happy clients
• Over 500 websites launched
• A team of 15 developers

These are just a few of the things you will frequently see on agency websites that can sometimes prove false.

How to verify an agency:

• Check their Companies House records. Look for net assets, shareholder funds, and cash on hand for an idea of their scale and stability.
• Read reviews on trusted platforms, but be cautious of both overly positive and negative feedback, as these can be misleading.
• Audit a few of their past sites using PageSpeed Insights to check build quality and care.

Ask the Right Questions

Always ask these questions before you even ask for a quote:

1. Do you do the work in-house, or is any part outsourced?
2. How many people are full-time employed at the agency?
3. Where is the team based?
4. Do you build bespoke sites or use off-the-shelf themes?
5. What approach would you recommend for an X-scale project?
6. Who do you recommend for hosting?
7. Do you provide post-live support, such as maintenance and SEO?
8. Can you provide references (if you don’t trust the reviews)?

The benefits of bespoke WordPress development:

• Bespoke agencies build each site in-house, ensuring quality control and consistency.
• Custom-built sites mean your site will perform better, look unique, and integrate smoothly with other systems.
• Long-term support and maintenance are more likely with a bespoke agency that understands the specifics of your build.

Speak to the Boss and Meet the Team

Speak to the Managing Director or Partner

Salespeople can sometimes say anything to get a sale, so make sure you speak to the Managing Director or Partner of the agency. They will make time for new business enquiries, and once you have spoken to them, you may get passed to a senior staff member for the actual proposal side of things, but you’ll get a good feel for the team.

Meet on Zoom

If it looks like the person you are speaking to is in their back bedroom, it could be cause for concern. Yes, many people work remotely now, but design and build is a team game: you get the best results when a team is inputting on your project.

The benefits of bespoke WordPress development:

• Direct communication with senior team members ensures transparency and trust.
• Working with an integrated team improves project outcomes and supports quality.
• Remote work is common, but a professional agency setup indicates an invested, collaborative team.

Red Flags to Watch Out For

Check Their Claims

If they have partnership logos on their websites, don’t take them for granted. If they are claiming to be a Google Partner, for example, check them out on Google – you will be surprised just how many agencies claim to be ‘partners’ of big brands when in fact, they are just sticking their logos on their websites to try and influence you.

Reassuringly Pricey or Dirt Cheap?

Pay peanuts, get monkeys. This is 100% true in the web design industry, so if an agency’s prices seem too cheap, avoid them. Not all agencies are public about their charges, and there’s often good reason for this, but every agency has a range that they work within. Here at Toast, we work on sites between £2K and £20K. We generally don’t go for larger sites as they are not a good fit for the team, so we know what we are good at and the projects we work best on.

The benefits of bespoke WordPress development:

• Reputable agencies charge fair rates that reflect the time and expertise required to build high-quality, custom sites.
• Avoid “bargain” agencies, as low prices can indicate shortcuts in quality and support.
• Investing in a custom build gives you a website tailored to your needs, with better long-term results and fewer issues.

What to Do if Your Last Project Went South

We talk to many people who have had their fingers burned by agencies that promise the world and don’t deliver. If you’ve had a negative experience, choosing an agency to get your website back on track can be even more challenging. Following the advice above can help you avoid choosing another unfit agency for your next project.

The benefits of bespoke WordPress development:

• Custom-built sites by trusted agencies are designed to grow with your needs, making long-term relationships easier.
• A reliable, experienced agency will help you regain trust in the process and deliver on their promises.
• High-quality, bespoke websites offer value and longevity, helping you avoid recurring issues.

Ultimately, choosing the right agency for your bespoke WordPress project comes down to diligence and the right questions. At Toast, we’re committed to transparent communication, quality builds, and dedicated support.

If you’re ready to discuss your website, get in touch with our team to explore what a bespoke WordPress build can do for your brand.