Every burned client we meet was burned the same few ways. The red flags were visible in the first meeting — nobody had told them what to look for. So:
The red flags
1. Portfolio without clickable live links (screenshots hide dead or stolen work). 2. No prices anywhere, ever — “it depends” is true, ranges are still publishable. 3. “SEO included” with zero specifics of what that means. 4. They own your domain and hosting in their accounts — the polite word is hostage-taking. 5. No maintenance story after launch. 6. Everything is possible, no pushback — yes-agencies build exactly what you asked and nothing you needed. 7. Payment 100% upfront. 8. They can’t explain who writes the content — the thing most projects actually stall on.
The green flags
They ask about your business before your website; they show live sites with named results; they put ownership in writing — domain, hosting, code, yours. (Our answers: published prices, clickable portfolio, your name on everything.) Interrogate us with this list — good agencies enjoy the questions.
Frequently Asked Questions
The agency owning your domain and hosting in their accounts — leaving becomes hostage negotiation.
Ranges, at least — 'it depends' is true, but total price silence predicts uncomfortable invoices.
Often nothing — demand specifics: what technical work, what content, what measurement.
No — staged payments tied to milestones protect both sides.
Questions about your business before your website — and pushback when your idea won't serve it.
You — domain, hosting, code and content, in writing, from day one.
English 
Czech