web designing agency near me
How to pick the right agency and work with them to boost website speed, SEO visibility, and online leads
Choosing an agency is one thing — getting measurable results is another. This guide walks you through step-by-step selection criteria, negotiation points, onboarding checklists, and the exact performance and SEO improvements you should demand.
Step 1 — How to evaluate a web design agency near you
Focus on outcomes, not excuses. Evaluate agencies by proof of results, technical competence, transparency, and ongoing support.
Case studies & results
Ask for before/after metrics: traffic, leads, conversion rate, load time improvements. Numbers beat promises.
Technical checks
Do they measure Core Web Vitals? Can they show Lighthouse scores, GTmetrix, or real-user metrics?
SEO capability
Local SEO is essential — ask about schema, citations, Google Business optimisation, and content strategy.
Soft factors that matter
- Clear SLAs: response times, update window, and escalation.
- Simple update process: can you request edits by chat or SMS?
- Transparent reporting: monthly analytics with action items.
Step 2 — Questions to ask (use this RFP checklist)
Bring this list to every initial call. If an agency can’t answer clearly, move on.
Project & process
- What’s your typical timeline from kickoff to launch?
- Who will be my main contact and how often do we meet?
- How do you handle change requests and urgent bug fixes?
Performance & hosting
- What hosting stack do you use and where are the servers located?
- Do you include CDN, caching, and image optimisation?
- Can you share Core Web Vitals for recent client sites?
SEO & local
- Do you handle on-page SEO: titles, meta, headings, sitemap?
- Will you claim and optimise my Google Business Profile?
- Do you add structured data/schema for local businesses and services?
Analytics & marketing
- What analytics tools do you install (GA4, Search Console)?
- Do you provide conversion tracking for calls, forms, and chats?
- Do you offer CRO, landing page A/B testing, or paid ads management?
Step 3 — Onboarding checklist (what to hand over)
A smooth kickoff speeds the project and reduces scope creep. Give your agency this starter pack:
Essential access
- Domain registrar & DNS access
- Email account and Google Business access
- Google Analytics and Search Console (or permission to set up)
Content & assets
- Service descriptions, prices, and FAQs
- High-res photos or permission to use stock images
- Brand assets: logo, fonts, colour hex codes
Business signals for local SEO
- Exact business name, address (as used in citations)
- Main phone number and service area
- Opening hours and holiday closures
Goals & KPIs
- Monthly leads target (calls/forms)
- Target load time and Core Web Vitals scores
- Top keywords to rank for in your service area
Step 4 — Website performance, Core Web Vitals & SEO: what to demand
Don't accept vague statements like "we'll make it faster." Ask for measurable targets and proof.
Speed targets
- Largest Contentful Paint (LCP) < 2.5s
- First Input Delay (FID) < 100ms
- Cumulative Layout Shift (CLS) < 0.1
Technical SEO checklist
- Unique title tags & meta descriptions for every page
- Proper H1/H2 structure and readable content
- XML sitemap + robots.txt + canonical tags
- Schema.org localBusiness and FAQ markup
Local SEO essentials
- Consistent NAP across website and citations
- Optimised Google Business Profile with services & photos
- Call tracking and local landing pages for suburbs
What good looks like (examples)
Step 5 — Analytics, CRO & paid marketing: measuring ROI
A website alone doesn't pay the bills — tracking and continuous optimisation do. Make analytics and conversion goals part of your contract.
Must-have tracking
- GA4 with conversion events for calls, form submits and quote requests
- Google Search Console + performance reports
- Call tracking numbers for campaigns
CRO & testing
- Run A/B tests on headlines and CTAs for 6–8 weeks
- Use heatmaps and session recordings to find friction
- Target a 10–30% uplift in conversion within 3 months
Paid marketing: align creative and landing pages
If you plan to run Google Ads or Facebook campaigns, ensure landing pages match the ad copy and load under 2 seconds. Campaigns should be tested with tracked UTM parameters and conversion goals.
Step 6 — Pricing expectations, deliverables, and red flags
Price varies by scope and skill. Here’s what typical options look like and what they should include.
DIY / Small builders
$15–40/mo: template sites, limited support—good for basic brochure sites but expect 20–40 hours of setup.
Managed subscription (recommended)
$30–49/mo: includes design, hosting, SSL, domain, unlimited updates, and monthly analytics. Ideal for busy owners.
Custom agency build
$3,000–10,000 upfront + hosting: for complex needs, e-commerce, or custom integrations. Expect longer timelines and higher maintenance costs.
Deliverables you should insist on
- Detailed scope with page list, templates, and acceptance criteria
- Access to analytics and ownership of Google accounts
- Performance targets and test results (Lighthouse/PSI)
- Post-launch support window and update SLA
Red flags
- No references or unwilling to share case studies
- No measurable performance targets in the contract
- Lock-in contracts with huge exit fees
- Unclear ownership of accounts, domains, or code
Step 7 — How to work with the agency to get results
Good collaboration separates a project that sits in “launch limbo” from one that delivers leads. Use these practical steps.
- Agree KPIs and baselines: document current traffic, average monthly enquiries, speed metrics, and target improvements.
- Define reporting cadence: weekly for the first 4 weeks, then monthly dashboards with action items and priorities.
- Prioritise quick wins: reduce image sizes, enable CDN, fix slow hosts, optimise above-the-fold content to improve LCP fast.
- Content & SEO sprints: focus on 3–5 high-intent local pages first (e.g., plumber + suburb). Optimise titles, schema, and internal links.
- Track everything: UTM-tag campaigns, enable conversion tracking for calls and forms, and validate events in GA4.
- Test & iterate: run A/B tests for CTAs and pricing displays. Keep experiments small and measurable.
- Set update rules: agree on how to request changes (chat, SMS, ticket) and expected turnaround times.
Which option should you choose?
If you're a busy trades or service business owner who needs results fast, choose a managed subscription that bundles hosting, security, local SEO and unlimited updates. It keeps costs predictable and ensures continual optimisation.
Why managed subscriptions often win
- Zero upfront design fee and faster launch times
- Unlimited updates — keeps site fresh and ranks improving
- Built-in local SEO and analytics reporting
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to see SEO results?
What if my agency misses targets?
Do I keep ownership of my domain and data?
Is it better to use a local agency?
Ready to stop guessing and start improving your website?
Choose an approach that guarantees measurable performance, SEO and lead improvements — fast. If you want a quick demo of a managed approach that includes domains, hosting, local SEO and unlimited updates, try a live demo.
Prefer a hands-off solution? Congero builds professional, mobile-optimised websites with local SEO and unlimited updates from $49/month — no lock-in contracts.
