Most dentists pick a website company on the up-front price, then discover the real costs later — slow change turnaround, a site they don't own, a per-edit invoice for every typo. The price you're quoted hides more than it reveals. These ten questions surface what actually matters, before you sign.
The ten questions
- When I want a change, what does it cost and how long does it take? This is the single most important question — you'll want changes for years.
- Do I own my domain and content if I leave? If the answer is fuzzy, walk.
- Is the site fast on a phone? Ask to see a live example and test it yourself on cellular.
- Will it look like other dental sites you've built? Templates mean you blend in with competitors.
- Who writes the content? Generic filler copy doesn't convert or rank.
- What's included vs. extra? Hosting, SSL, edits, SEO — get the full list, not just the build.
- How do I reach you, and how fast do you respond? Support response time predicts the whole relationship.
- Is there a contract, and how do I cancel? Long lock-ins protect them, not you.
- Can you show me real results or references? Live sites you can click beat a portfolio of mock-ups.
- What happens to my site if you go out of business? Make sure you can take your domain and content elsewhere.
Red flags
- "Guaranteed #1 on Google" — nobody can guarantee that honestly.
- Every small change is a quote and a wait.
- They own your domain or content.
- No live examples you can actually click and test on a phone.
FAQ
Is the cheapest option ever the right one? Only if it answers questions 1, 2, and 3 well. Cheap-but-locked-in is the most expensive choice over three years.
Local agency or specialist? Either can be great — judge by the answers above, not the postcode.
We answer all ten the way you'd want: unlimited everyday changes, you own your domain, fast on a phone, no contract — and you see a free build first. See yours.