Signing with a web agency feels productive. The demos were impressive, the portfolio was strong, and the proposal looked reasonable. Fast-forward eighteen months: the platform doesn’t quite do what you needed, updates cost extra, and leaving feels considerably harder than signing up did.
This isn’t unusual. It’s a pattern. And a few well-timed questions, asked before you sign, can save a good deal of frustration, and money, down the track.
(Simon Bailey Design is not an agency. Over the years, some clients have needed help after getting stuck in exactly this situation, which is exactly why this felt worth writing.)
Who actually owns the website when it’s done?
This is the most important question on the list. Some agencies build on proprietary platforms, meaning the structure, the code, and sometimes even the content sit on their system, not yours. If the relationship ends, so does your website. Ask directly: “If we move on, can we take the site with us?” The answer will tell you a great deal about what you’re actually buying.
Can your team update content without calling anyone?
School websites change constantly, events, news, staff pages, enrolment information. Most platforms let your team swap text and update images without any help. That’s the easy part. The real question is what happens when you need to restructure a page, adjust a layout, or change the way a section looks. That’s where many platforms hit a wall, and where the calls to the agency, and the invoices, begin. Ask specifically about structural edits, not just content edits.
What does year two actually cost?
Year one looks manageable. Year two is where the picture changes. Ask for a clear breakdown of ongoing hosting, support agreements, platform licences, and any fees tied to content updates or traffic. A provider worth working with will hand this over without hesitation.
What happens if we want to leave?
Not a pessimistic question. A smart one. Is your data portable? Can the site be migrated to another host or platform? Are there exit penalties? A supplier confident in their product will answer this calmly. One that hedges or redirects is worth noting.
Do you understand schools like ours?
Ask how familiar they are with the culture of Christian schooling, the language, the values, the way families make enrolment decisions. A good supplier will have genuine answers. A generalist will give you a polished non-answer and move on. Sector knowledge isn’t a nice-to-have. It shapes everything from the words on a web page, to the way a prospectus feels in a parent’s hands.
The peace of mind principle
Behind every one of these questions is a simpler one: do you trust the people you’re about to commit to? Not just the portfolio. The communication, the transparency, and the genuine interest in your school’s success.
If the agency model sounds like more than your school actually needs, Simon Bailey Design might be exactly enough.
Simon Bailey Design works with private and Christian schools on design that is open, flexible, and fully owned by the client. No lock-in. No hidden costs. No awkward conversations eighteen months from now.
If you’re reviewing your web and design options, get in touch. A straightforward conversation costs nothing.