Go ahead, Google ‘website design agency.’ Based on your location settings and preferences, you’re probably seeing the same results I see – paid ads with flashy tag lines like ‘affordable’ and ‘best.’ If you click them, you will see great-looking landing pages with all kinds of sparkle. The same goes for search terms like ‘digital agency.’ It gets really messy when you search ‘SEO agency.’

Search engines are really advanced these days, but you probably won’t find what you’re looking for if you search ‘agencies that understand our culture, processes, and needs, are great at what they do, and will deliver what they promise.’

That would be great, wouldn’t it?

I’ve been in the agency world since 2009. I’ve seen many RFPs and been on many introductory phone calls. I’m always shocked at how many important questions don’t get asked during the process.

When a client asks the right questions and finds the right firm to work with, great things can happen for both the agency and the client. When those questions are not asked and the client and agency do not see eye to eye, it can be a disaster.

Here are 21 questions you should ask your potential vendor/agency before starting any project:

1. Where are you located?
2. Who is your CEO and what is their background?
3. How long have you been in business?
4. Do you have case studies you can share with us?
5. Have you worked with anyone in our industry?
6. Do you work with our direct competitors on any level?
7. What is your project management process?
8. Do you use client-facing project management tools?
9. How will you report back to us?
10. How do you determine when a project is complete?
11. What are your payment milestones based on?
12. How will your team understand our business?
13. How many people are on your team?
14. Who will be our point of contact and how often will we hear from them?
15. Can I meet my project manager before signing the contract?
16. What are your company values?
17. What is your company culture like?
18. What is your process for testing your work?
19. How do you determine scope and fees associated with change requests?
20. Can you provide references from a completed project, a project in progress and a long-term client?
21. Why do you want to work with us?