How to Grill a Web Design Agency Before Building a Website for Your Montana Business

So, you’re finally ready to level up your Montana business with a shiny new website? Heck yeah!

That’s a big step toward turning more casual browsers into die-hard fans (or, you know, paying customers).

But here’s the thing: the right web design agency will make your digital dreams come true, while the wrong one could leave you shaking your head, muttering, “What did I just pay for?”

Luckily, we’ve got your back. Over at First Call Digital Agency, we’ve been around the block enough times to know what separates the wheat from the chaff in web design land.

Here’s how you can sniff out the perfect agency to team up with for your next big digital project.

Figure Out What You Want From Your Website (Like, Really Want)

Before you start dialing up agencies, let’s do a little soul-searching. Ask yourself:

  • Are you trying to put your business on the local map (figuratively and literally)?
  • Hoping to sell those killer custom fly rods online?
  • Or maybe you’re just desperate for a way to stop the flood of “I forgot my password” calls from your team?

Whatever it is, nail it down. Be specific. Don’t settle for vague goals like “I want more traffic.” You want actionable stuff—like increasing online sales by 20% or shaving your customer service response time by 30%. Trust me, knowing your goals will make finding the right agency much clearer.

Also, keep in mind that the function of your website (and any integrations it might need to meet that function) is a factor in pricing when chatting with a web agency.

Go Local (Because Montana’s Got Its Own Vibe)

When it comes to web design, a local agency that gets Montana is worth its weight in gold. Why? They’ll understand your target audience much better. What works in Seattle doesn’t exactly work in Montana. Different standards, different cultures, different pricing.

And don’t forget to peek at their portfolio. Do they have experience with businesses like yours? Have they crushed it for other Montana-based companies? If they’ve nailed local SEO and understand the quirks of our market, you’re in good hands.

Ask the Juicy Questions

Once you’ve whittled down your list of potential agencies, it’s time for the interview. This is where you pull out your inner investigative journalist.

Here’s what you need to ask:

What’s Your Design Process?

The design process encompasses a lot more than most business owners initially think. If you’re a well-developed business with a brand book, logo created, and clear understanding of the look/feel you’re going for, then you may not need a web developer to walk you through these pieces of the web build process. However, if you’re a business that may not have branding clearly defined, this makes nailing the design process very valuable to your mental health and budget.

Ask the following questions to get more detailed:

  • Do they have a timeline for initial design turnaround?
  • How involved are you in the brainstorming sessions?
  • How do they do initial prototypes? Is it a sketch? A Figma file? An interactive page build?
  • How many revisions do you get?
  • How big is the design team? Will you be working with multiple people (and possibly having to repeat yourself) or will you have one dedicated designer?
  • Do they do branding work? Logo designs, font styling, color theory, spacing, styling, tone, voice, etc.

Or…do they just wing it? Spoiler: You don’t want the wing-it types.

How Do You Measure Success?

A good agency isn’t just about pretty designs. They’ll care about measurable results, like higher traffic or better conversion rates. Ask if they use tools like Google Analytics or provide performance reports. If their answer is “uh, we’ll make it look cool,” you should probably show them the door.

Ask these questions to get more details:

  • Do you report on your site’s performance after launch?
  • Do you factor in user experience and user interface with your builds?
  • Do you build sites with ADA compliance in mind?
  • Can you build a website custom to my industry’s specific standards?
  • Can you integrate my website with the functionality that I need to make it useful?
  • Do you build websites with SEO in mind?

What’s the Deal With Post-Launch Support?

Websites aren’t a “set it and forget it” thing. They need care, feeding, and occasional emergency TLC. Does the agency offer ongoing support for updates, security, and troubleshooting? If they ghost you after launch, that’s a no-go.

  • Do you maintain the site’s theme and plugins?
  • How do you manage a website’s security?
  • What is your hourly cost for website support?
  • Is there a 1-hour minimum? (this is a common one)
  • Do you help with post-launch SEO?

Getting Clear on Website Costs

Some web agencies have a one-project type cost. You pay a flat rate for the website and then they wash their hands clean of the whole relationship and walk away. Some web development companies offer included services like hosting, domain registration, or minimal support. And others are all-encompassing. It’s very important to ask the right questions before discovering that they’re about to nickle and dime you to death with post-launch needs.

  • Do you pay for licensing?
  • Do you pay for hosting?
  • Do you register my domain?
  • Do you pay for an SSL certification?
  • Do you pay for plugins?
  • Do you have a Covered / Not Covered agreement?

Communication Is Key (No Ghosting Allowed)

If you and your agency aren’t on the same page, things are gonna get messy fast. Make sure they’re clear about who’s doing what, when it’s due, and how they’ll keep you updated.

At First Call Digital Agency, we treat communication like a religion (minus the robes). Weekly updates? Check. Open to feedback? Always. Clear timelines? You bet. Find an agency that’s just as committed to keeping things smooth.

We view the post-launch relationship as just as important as the web build itself. You won’t see any ghosts here. We’re in for the long haul.

Trust Your Gut—Are They Your People?

Here’s the thing: you’re not just hiring someone to build a website. You’re choosing a partner who’ll help bring your vision to life. So, do you vibe with them? Do they seem genuinely excited about your goals? Do they “get” what makes your business tick?

If you feel a spark and they’re checking all the boxes, congratulations—you’ve found your match.

Your Montana Business Deserves the Best

At the end of the day, your website is more than just pixels and code. It’s a 24/7 sales machine, a first impression maker, and (hopefully) a customer-wooing superstar.

So, don’t rush. Define your goals, dig into your research, ask the right questions, and trust your instincts. With the right agency in your corner, your Montana business will shine brighter than a summer day on Flathead Lake.

Want to talk websites? Let’s chat.