How to choose a UX design agency: 15 questions to ask

Take this list into your next three intro calls. Tick what each agency answers well; the one with the fewest gaps wins.

The questions

Portfolio
People
Process
Price and contract

Red flags

  1. No questionsA quote before they understand your users.
  2. Only dribbble shotsPretty screens, no product decisions behind them.
  3. Hidden juniorsThe senior who pitched disappears after signing.
  4. Vague scope“Design phase” with no screens, rounds or dates.

FAQ

What should I look for in a UX design agency?

Relevant product work with case studies, the senior designer you meet doing the work, progress you can see every week, a written scope and full ownership of the files.

Agency, freelancer or design partner?

An agency suits big projects with many roles. A freelancer suits small, clear tasks. A design partner suits ongoing product work with one senior team.

How long does it take to hire a design agency?

Two or three intro calls and a written proposal usually take one to two weeks.

The first step
costs you nothing.

20 minutes. No pitch.