Portfolio Checklist Before You Hire a Web Agency

A pretty portfolio screenshot tells you very little. Here's how to actually evaluate whether an agency's past work is good.

1. Visit the Live Site, Not Just the Screenshot

Open it on your actual phone. Does it load fast? Is navigation easy? Screenshots hide real-world performance issues.

2. Check If It's Still Live and Maintained

A portfolio full of dead links or outdated sites suggests the agency doesn't maintain long-term client relationships.

3. Look for Variety That Matches Your Need

If you need an e-commerce site, look specifically for e-commerce examples in their portfolio — not just brochure sites.

4. Check for Real Results, Not Just Design

Ask if they can share any results data (traffic, enquiries, conversions) from past projects — see our own case studies for the kind of detail to expect.

5. Look at Their Own Website

If their portfolio examples are inconsistent in quality, their own site is often the most honest signal of their current standard of work.

Use This Before You Decide

Run through this checklist on us too — view our portfolio and judge for yourself.