How to Choose a Digital Agency: 12 Questions to Ask Before You Pay Anyone

The problem: everyone says they're the best

Every agency promises growth, leads and results. Their websites look similar and their proposals are full of buzzwords. So business owners choose on price or gut feel, and too often end up with a pretty website that never brings a customer, or ads that burn money with no explanation.

These twelve questions cut through it. We've included our own answers so you can judge us by the same standard.

The 12 questions

1. Can I see real work, and talk to real clients?

Our answer: Our portfolio shows real client projects with what we did and the outcome for each.

2. Who will actually do the work?

Our answer: You work directly with Emmanuel, the founder, on WhatsApp. No layers of account managers.

3. What exactly is included, in writing?

Our answer: Every engagement starts with a written scope. Try the instant proposal to see the format.

4. How is the price worked out?

Our answer: Monthly plans are published on our pricing page. One-off projects get a fixed quote after a free call.

5. How long is the contract?

Our answer: Monthly plans are month-to-month.

6. Who owns the website, domain, ad accounts and content?

Our answer: You should, and you should insist on it with any agency, including us. Ask for everything to be set up in your business's name.

7. How will we measure success?

Our answer: We agree on the numbers that matter (enquiries, bookings, sales) and set up tracking before launch, then report on them.

8. What happens in the first 30 days?

Our answer: Discovery and audit, a 90-day plan, then the first build or campaign. Onboarding starts within a week of signing.

9. How do you communicate?

Our answer: WhatsApp for day-to-day, scheduled calls for strategy, and a client portal for approvals, invoices and files.

10. Do you understand my market?

Our answer: We work with businesses in Nigeria, the USA, the UK, Europe and Africa, and with more than 50 types of business.

11. Can you handle more than one piece?

Our answer: Yes: AI automation, websites and apps, ecommerce, UI/UX, conversion optimisation, email, social, ads, promotion, consulting, accountability coaching, and Web3 and smart contracts. One team, one plan.

12. Will you tell me when something isn't working, or isn't worth doing?

Our answer: Yes, and we'll tell you before you spend money on it. Sometimes the best advice is "don't build that yet".

Red flags

• Guaranteed rankings, followers or revenue figures before seeing your data
• No written scope
• You don't own your accounts
• Long lock-in contracts for unproven work
• No reporting, or reports full of vanity numbers

What to do next

Shortlist two or three agencies, ask each these questions, and compare the answers in writing. If you'd like ours in detail, book a free 30-minute strategy call or ask Emma, our AI assistant, anything first.