Websites · 3 min read
Website development company in Mumbai: 10 questions to ask before you hire
Short answer
Before you hire a website development company in Mumbai, check five things: that the domain, hosting and code will be in your name, that the site is built mobile-first and loads fast, that basic SEO and tracking are included, that you get an itemised quote, and that you know who fixes things after launch. The 10 questions below cover all of it.
Why ask questions at all?
Mumbai has hundreds of web designers and agencies, and most quotes look alike: "5 pages, responsive, SEO friendly". The real differences show up later, when the site is slow on a phone, you can't change a price yourself, or the developer who owns your domain stops replying. A few questions up front save months of trouble.
The 10 questions
1. Will the domain, hosting and website be in my name?
This matters most. Your domain (yourbusiness.in) should be registered in your name with your email. Hosting, Google Search Console and Google Analytics should be your accounts, with the agency added as a user. If you part ways, you keep everything.
2. Can I see 3 sites you built, and open them on my phone?
Don't judge from screenshots. Open their live work on your own phone over mobile data. Does it load quickly? Can you tap the buttons easily? Does the WhatsApp or call button work?
3. Is it built mobile-first?
Most of your visitors will be on a phone, and Google mainly uses the mobile version of a site for indexing and ranking (Google Search Central). Ask them to design the phone view first, not shrink the desktop view.
4. How fast will it load, and how will you measure it?
Ask for a PageSpeed Insights or Core Web Vitals check at handover (web.dev). A good answer names the numbers they aim for, such as LCP (how fast the main content appears) and CLS (whether the page jumps around), not just "it will be fast".
5. What SEO is included, exactly?
"SEO friendly" can mean anything. Ask whether these are included:
- A unique title and description for every page
- One clear heading (H1) per page and clean URLs
- A sitemap submitted to Google Search Console and Bing Webmaster Tools
- Structured data (schema) for your business and FAQs
- Image alt text and compressed images
Bing matters too: ChatGPT's search draws on Bing's index, so a site that only Google knows about is easier for AI tools to miss. We explain this in SEO vs GEO vs AEO.
6. Will I be able to edit text, prices and photos myself?
Ask them to show you the editing screen before you sign. If every small change needs the developer, ask what each change costs and how long it takes.
7. How will enquiries reach me?
Forms should arrive in your email or WhatsApp, and ideally be saved somewhere as a backup so a lead is never lost. Ask how you will know which page or ad an enquiry came from.
8. What exactly is in the quote?
Ask for an itemised quote: number of pages, who writes the text, who provides the photos, how many rounds of changes, domain and hosting costs, and the yearly renewal costs. Two quotes are only comparable when they list the same things. See what affects website development cost in India.
9. What happens after launch?
Ask who fixes a broken form, who renews the domain and SSL certificate, who takes backups, and whether there is a maintenance plan or you pay per fix. Get the answer in writing.
10. How long will it take, and what do you need from me?
Delays usually come from missing text, logos or photos. A clear company will tell you up front what they need from you and by when, and will share a draft link before the site goes live.
Red flags
- The domain will be "registered by us for you"
- No live examples, only mock-ups
- "Guaranteed first page on Google"
- A price with no list of what's included
- No answer to "who fixes things after launch?"
Quick checklist
| Check | Yes / No |
|---|---|
| Domain, hosting and Google accounts in my name | |
| Live sites checked on my phone | |
| Mobile-first, speed measured at handover | |
| SEO items listed (titles, sitemap, schema, Bing) | |
| I can edit text and prices myself | |
| Enquiries reach me and are tracked | |
| Itemised quote, renewal costs included | |
| After-launch support in writing |
If you already have a site and aren't sure whether to rebuild it or fix it, start with our new website or fix checklist. You can also see how we approach website development.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to build a business website?
A simple 5-10 page business site usually takes a few weeks. The biggest factor is how quickly the text, logo and photos are ready.
Should I choose a freelancer or an agency?
Either can work. Ask both the same 10 questions. What matters is ownership, speed, SEO basics and who supports the site after launch.
Is a website still needed if I have Instagram?
Yes, for most businesses. Instagram is rented space; a website is yours, can rank on Google and Bing, and gives AI tools a clear source of facts about your business.
Do I need to pay every year for a website?
Usually yes, for the domain and hosting renewal at least. Ask for these yearly costs in the quote so there are no surprises.
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