Choose a WordPress website design company that shows live WordPress projects with measured results, builds on a custom theme rather than a stack of builder plugins, gives a fixed written quote and timeline, and has a clear plan for SEO and redirects. Walk away from anyone who cannot show these.
Most agency websites look the same: a hero, a row of logos and a promise of fast, beautiful sites. The differences that matter sit underneath, in how the site is built, how it performs and what happens after launch. Use the checks below to compare WordPress website design companies on facts instead of pitch decks.
1. Check the portfolio for live, WordPress-specific work#
Open the live sites, not only the screenshots. Look for WordPress and WooCommerce projects similar to yours, then test them on your phone. Ask what the agency built, what the client needed and what changed after launch. Case studies with dates, tools and measured results are stronger than adjectives.
2. Ask whether the site is a custom theme or a page builder#
A custom theme with editable Gutenberg blocks keeps the code light and your editors in control. A site assembled from a premium theme and several builder plugins can look finished but often loads slower and breaks more easily during updates. Neither is wrong for every project, but you should know which one you are paying for. See our custom WordPress website cost guide for how the two compare on price.
3. Ask for performance results#
Ask for PageSpeed and Core Web Vitals results (LCP, INP and CLS) on recent builds, with the tool and date used. Run a few of their live sites through PageSpeed Insights yourself. Our WordPress Core Web Vitals checklist explains what good looks like.
4. Confirm the plan for SEO, redirects and migration#
If you already have a site, a redesign can lose rankings when URLs change without redirects. The agency should audit your current pages, keep URLs where possible, map 301 redirects, and carry over page titles and metadata. Ask who sets up schema, XML sitemaps and analytics.
5. Get a fixed quote, scope and timeline in writing#
Expect a written scope with page count, features, integrations and milestones before work starts. Typical ranges depend heavily on complexity, so compare quotes by what is included, not by the headline number.
Red flags to avoid#
- No live projects you can open, or portfolio pieces that are only mock-ups.
- Performance claims with no tool, date or numbers behind them.
- A price with no written scope, or a scope that changes after you sign.
- No plan for redirects and metadata when replacing an existing site.
- Reviews or awards you cannot verify on the platform they claim to come from.
- Pressure to sign quickly, or refusal to explain how the site is built.
Frequently Asked Questions#
What should a WordPress website design company include in a quote?
A written scope with the number of pages, features and integrations, design and development phases, a timeline with milestones, a fixed price, and what happens after launch such as training and maintenance.
Is a custom WordPress theme better than a page builder?
For most business sites a custom theme with Gutenberg blocks is lighter, faster and easier to maintain. A page builder can suit a quick brochure site, but it usually costs speed and flexibility later.
How can I verify an agency's reviews?
Check the review platform they cite, such as Clutch or GoodFirms, and confirm the listing shows the reviews and any verification the agency claims. Treat unverifiable badges as a warning sign.
