ASM 
India has no shortage of website and software development companies. That's the problem. From the outside they all look the same: blue logos, stock photos of handshakes and the phrase "innovative digital solutions". Here's how to tell the real ones from the slick pitch, in twelve questions.
Before you call anyone
Write down three things: what the website or software must do for your business, who will use it, and your rough budget. If you can't, that's fine, but then look for a team that will map your process with you before quoting.
Questions about the team
- Who exactly will build my project? Names, not "our team". The person who sells it and the person who builds it are often different.
- Will I talk to the builders directly? Account managers in the middle slow everything and lose details.
- Have you worked in my industry, or on a similar process? Not mandatory, but they should ask smart questions about how you work.
Questions about the work
- Can I open three of your live projects right now? Real links, not mockups. (Ours are all here.)
- Is the design custom or a template? Templates are fine for some budgets. Just know which one you're paying for.
- How fast will it load on a phone? Ask how they'll measure it. Google's research says 53% of mobile visitors leave pages that take more than three seconds.
- How will you handle SEO basics? Titles, descriptions, headings, speed, structured data. If they look blank, keep walking.
Questions about the money
- Can I see the scope in writing before the price? A one-line "complete website solution" is not a scope.
- What's not included? Hosting, domain, content, photos, payment gateway fees and maintenance are the usual surprises. Our website cost guide lists typical 2026 ranges.
- How are payments split? Tie payments to milestones you can see and click.
Questions about after launch
- Who owns the code, domain and hosting accounts? It should be you. Always.
- Who answers when it breaks at 11 PM before a launch? Ask for the name. Ask what the AMC covers.
Red flags
| If you hear… | It usually means… |
|---|---|
| "Don't worry about the details, sir" | There are details you should worry about |
| A price before any questions | A template with your logo on it |
| "It's in the pipeline" | It isn't |
| No live links, only PDFs | No live work |
| "We'll host it on our server" | You may not own your own website |
Want to test a team's honesty? Ask them to roast your current website. A good one will tell you what's worth keeping, not just sell you a rebuild.
We'll answer in plain words, with names and live links. Start the conversation.
Sources
- Google/SOASTA research 2017 via Think with Google: 53% of mobile visitors leave pages slower than 3 seconds
- Hostinger India, "How much does a website cost in India in 2026?" (updated Feb 2026)
- Google Search Central, SEO starter guide
Price ranges are indicative market figures from the sources above, not ASM Labz quotes. Every project is scoped first.