How to choose a web agency in Gothenburg: seven questions to ask

Search for a web agency in Gothenburg and you'll quickly get plenty of hits that sound surprisingly alike: "creative", "results-driven", "end-to-end solutions". It's hard to tell what sets them apart before you've already spent time and money.

Here's how we'd go about it if we were in your position. We're a web agency, so expect us to have an opinion, but the advice holds whoever you choose.

Decide what you need first

Before you contact anyone, write down a few lines:

• What should the website achieve? More enquiries, online sales, credibility, recruitment? One goal is enough.
• Who will use it? Customers, members, partners?
• What already exists? Current website, logo, text, images.
• Roughly what can you spend, and when do you need it? Having a range makes the conversations more honest. Read what a website costs before you set the figure.
• Who on your side decides and supplies content? This determines the timeline more than anything else.

With just this, a good agency can already give you a meaningful quote.

What types of supplier are there?

• Site builders and templates (you build it yourself). Low out-of-pocket cost, but it takes your time and often ends up generic.
• Freelancers. Often good value and personal. Ask what happens if the person falls ill or gets other work.
• A smaller agency. A small team with several skills, close contact and often the chance to talk directly to the people doing the work.
• A larger agency. More resources and specialists, but often more layers between you and the people doing the work, and a higher price level.

None is right for everyone. What matters is that the size fits your project.

Seven questions to ask

1. Can I see similar work and talk to a previous client?

Look at their case studies and ask for a reference you can call. An agency that's proud of its work is happy to show it. Pay attention to whether what they show is something they actually did, and what their role was.

2. Who does the work?

Do you get to meet the people who will design and build, or only a salesperson? Who is your contact during the project?

3. What does the process look like?

A good answer has clear steps: understand the need, produce a design, approve before the build, test, launch. Also ask where you get to weigh in and how many rounds are included.

4. What's included in the price, and what isn't?

Text, images, translation, SEO, accessibility, training, hosting: this is where quotes differ most. Ask whether the price is fixed and whether it's quoted excluding VAT.

5. Who owns what when we're done?

You should own your domain, your content and the right to use what's been built. Ask how it works if you later want to switch supplier.

6. What happens after launch?

Who updates, who answers if something breaks, and what does it cost? A project that ends at delivery leaves you alone with the next step.

7. How do I follow the work?

Will you know how it's going? A shared place for progress, files and questions is worth a lot, especially if you're not technical. That's why we have a client portal where you follow the project in real time.

Warning signs

• Promises of number one on Google. Nobody can guarantee a ranking, and you should be careful with anyone who does.
• Quotes you can't compare. If it's unclear what's included, it's unclear what you're buying.
• Long lock-in periods with no clear way out.
• Nobody wants to show what they've done.
• Only jargon. A good supplier explains so that you understand, and doesn't make you feel unsure.

Compare quotes fairly

Ask two or three agencies to quote on the same brief. Then compare scope, timeline and what happens after launch, not just the final price. A quote that looks cheap but leaves important parts out is seldom cheap in the end.

Does it matter if the agency is in Gothenburg?

It can. Being able to meet over coffee helps a lot at the start, and local knowledge of the market is worth something if your customers are here. But video meetings work well, and an agency elsewhere can be the right one if it suits your project. Treat it as a plus, not a requirement.

About us

Incrane is a creative digital agency in Gothenburg. We work with web development, branding, SEO, content and digital strategy, with fixed prices for projects and a clear process. We usually reply within 24 hours, and the first conversation is free. If we meet and it isn't a fit, we think it's perfectly reasonable to say so.

Frequently asked questions

How much should I expect to pay?

It depends on scope. With us a simpler business website starts from 30,000 SEK. See what affects the price.

How long does a project take?

A typical business website usually takes 4–8 weeks, and more complex projects 8–16 weeks. The timeline depends a lot on how quickly content and decisions come together.

Should I choose one agency or several specialists?

An agency that can handle the whole thing means fewer handovers. But if you only need one defined thing, such as a logo, a specialist may be the right choice.

Want to talk to us?

Book a free consultation and tell us what you need. We'll help you see what a sensible first step is, even if it doesn't mean hiring us.