Mockups and design comps are easy to produce. If an agency can't point you to actual, visitable client sites built for real businesses, treat that as a serious gap, not an oversight.
"A professional website" isn't a scope — it's a sales phrase. A legitimate quote lists page count, what's included, and what happens if you want changes later.
A deposit is normal. Full payment before any work is visible removes your only real leverage if the project stalls or the quality isn't what was promised.
If the agency's own account holds your domain when the project ends, you don't fully control your own business's website — ask directly and get the answer in writing.
A legitimate studio can hold a quote for a reasonable window. Artificial urgency is a sales tactic, not a reflection of real capacity constraints.
No — a deposit, commonly around 50%, with the balance due on delivery is standard practice and protects both sides.
Being new isn't disqualifying on its own — but they should be upfront about it rather than dodging the question, and you should weigh that honestly against the price.
Ask specifically what's excluded. Very low quotes often leave out SEO foundations, mobile responsiveness, or post-launch support, not because the agency is dishonest, but because that's how the number gets that low.