Why the questions matter more than the price

You've probably heard at least one story like this. A friend paid a designer, the website took months, half the features never appeared, and now nobody can find the login for the domain. The designer has stopped replying.

These stories rarely happen because the designer was cheap. They happen because nothing was written down. The fix isn't to pay more. It's to ask the right questions before you pay anything.

1. Whose name will the domain be registered under?

This is the most important question on the list. Your domain is your address online. If it's registered under the designer's name or account, you don't fully control it, and moving away later can become painful.

The right answer: the domain is registered in your name or your company's name, and you get the login.

Domain and hosting in Malaysia, explained plainly

2. What exactly does this price include?

'Website RM800' means nothing on its own. Ask for a written list: how many pages, which features, whether forms, WhatsApp buttons, CMS editing or payment are included, and who writes the content.

Two quotes are only comparable when they list the same things. A cheaper quote that excludes half of what you need isn't cheaper.

3. How many rounds of changes do I get?

'Unlimited revisions' sounds generous, but it often leads to a project that never ends, or a designer who quietly stops responding. A fixed number of revision rounds, with clear feedback each time, usually gets a better website faster.

Ask what counts as a revision, and what counts as new work that will be charged separately.

4. Can I see websites you've built that are live right now?

Screenshots and mockups are easy to fake or borrow. Live websites aren't. Ask for two or three links to real client sites, then open them on your phone. Are they fast? Easy to use? Is the contact button obvious?

Bonus points if they can tell you what the client needed and how the site helped. That shows they think about business results, not just looks.

5. What will I pay every year after launch?

Many people budget for the build and get surprised in month thirteen. Ask about yearly domain renewal, hosting, business email, plugin or theme licences, and any maintenance fee.

Typical ongoing costs to ask about
CostQuestion to ask
Domain renewalHow much is it per year, and who pays it?
HostingIs hosting included, for how long, and what happens after?
Business emailIs email included, or a separate service like Google Workspace?
LicencesAre there paid themes or plugins that renew yearly?
MaintenanceIs there a monthly fee? What does it actually cover?

6. Will I see a working preview before it goes live?

You should be able to click through the real website on your own phone before launch, not just approve a picture. A working preview is where you catch broken links, awkward wording and a WhatsApp number with one digit wrong.

7. What happens if something breaks after launch?

Ask how long launch support lasts, how to reach them, and how quickly they usually respond. Also ask what's covered for free and what's charged. 'Just WhatsApp me' is fine, as long as it's clear what they'll fix and for how long.

8. Can I update the website myself?

Some businesses change prices or photos every week. Others touch their site twice a year. Neither is wrong, but it changes what you need. If you want to edit content yourself, make sure an editing system is in the quote. If not, ask what small updates cost.

9. What's the payment schedule?

A deposit before work starts is normal. Paying 100% upfront with nothing in writing is risky. A common, fair structure is a deposit to begin and the balance before or at launch, tied to clear milestones.

Red flags to watch for

  • They promise first page on Google by a certain date.
  • They won't put the scope in writing.
  • The domain will be 'managed' under their account.
  • No live portfolio, only screenshots.
  • The price is vague until after you've paid a deposit.
  • They get annoyed when you ask any of the questions above.

How we answer these at Bina Studio

Since we're asking you to ask, here's how we'd answer. The domain stays in your name. Every quote lists pages, features, revision rounds, what's included and what isn't, in writing, before work starts. You review a working preview before launch. Our prices start at RM250 for a landing page and RM399 for a company website, and our project stories link to live sites you can check yourself.

Compare our six packages and what each includes See live websites we've built Ask us anything on this list