Choosing a web agency in 2025 is no longer just about budget. Performance, SEO, accessibility and ROI have become essential criteria. Here's how to identify the agency that will transform your vision into a high-performing website.
Quick response, no commitment.
Related article: Comment choisir une agence web en 2025 : le guide complet
The 5 essential criteria in 2025
1. Performance and Core Web Vitals
A slow site kills your conversions. Verify that the agency commits to:
- LCP (Largest Contentful Paint) < 2.5 seconds
- FID (First Input Delay) < 100ms
- CLS (Cumulative Layout Shift) < 0.1
Key question: "Can you show me the Core Web Vitals scores of your recent projects?"
2. SEO-first approach
SEO is not done after the fact. The agency must:
- Integrate SEO from the design phase
- Use modern technologies (Next.js, React)
- Structure content with structured data
- Optimize for voice search
3. Accessibility and compliance
In 2025, accessibility is no longer optional:
- WCAG 2.1 AA compliance minimum
- Keyboard navigation
- Color contrast
- Text alternatives
4. Transparency and communication
- Clear and documented process
- Project tracking tools
- Dedicated project manager
- Regular meetings
5. ROI and measurability
- Quantified objectives from the brief
- Analytics integration
- Built-in A/B testing
- Post-launch reporting
Web team working on a project
Questions to ask during the first meeting
Technical
- "What technical stack do you use?"
- "How do you handle security updates?"
- "Can you show me examples of high-performing sites?"
Process
- "How long does a typical project take?"
- "Who will be my main contact?"
- "How do you handle changes during the project?"
Post-launch
- "Do you offer post-launch support?"
- "How do you measure project success?"
- "What is your maintenance policy?"
Warning signs to spot
🚨 Red flags
- No recent portfolio: the agency has no recent projects to show
- Too low prices: a quality website has a cost
- No commitment on deadlines: lack of professionalism
- Refusal to sign a contract: lack of transparency
- No client references: suspicious
✅ Positive signals
- Diverse portfolio with various use cases
- Documented process and transparent
- Performance commitment (Core Web Vitals)
- Available client references
- Certifications (accessibility, security)
Agency type comparison
| Criterion | Freelance | Small agency | Large agency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | Economic | Medium | High |
| Flexibility | Very high | High | Limited |
| Expertise | Specialized | Versatile | Very broad |
| Support | Personal | Dedicated | Team |
| Timeline | Variable | Short | Long |
Budget and ROI
Recommended investment
- Landing page: €1,500 - €3,000
- Showcase website: €3,000 - €8,000
- E-commerce: €8,000 - €25,000
Expected ROI
- +40% organic traffic in 6 months
- +30% conversions in 3 months
- 50% reduction in customer acquisition cost
FAQ
How many quotes to request?
3 to 5 quotes maximum. Beyond that, you waste time and comparison becomes confusing.
Freelance or agency?
Freelance for simple projects and limited budget. Agency for complex projects requiring multiple expertise.
How to verify references?
- Ask for contacts of 2-3 recent clients
- Check sites in production
- Test performance with PageSpeed Insights
- Check Google/Trustpilot reviews
What to do if the project goes wrong?
- Document everything in writing
- Use contract clauses
- Negotiate delay penalties
- Consider termination if necessary
Conclusion
Choosing a web agency in 2025 requires a methodical approach. Prioritize technical quality, transparency and commitment to results over price alone.
Your website is a long-term investment. Take the time to choose the right partner.
Need help choosing? Contact us for a free project audit and receive a personalized quote.