Many clients feel uncomfortable asking contractors tough, "uncomfortable" questions. It seems like a sign of mistrust or a sign of being pushy. In fact, these very questions help you understand how professional and honest a studio is. Price, deadlines, and "we'll do it beautifully" are just the tip of the iceberg. Much more important is how the team thinks about risks, constraints, and the project's development after launch. If such questions are answered willingly, in detail, and without divergence, that's a good sign. If everything boils down to general promises and vague phrases, you should be wary and seek out more information, as if to say, "Okay, I need to learn more here before making a decision."
A good criterion is how the studio explains its processes. They should clearly explain what happens after the contract is signed: how requirements are collected, what you'll see first—prototypes or designs, when development kicks in, what approval points are included, how features are tested. The less specific these descriptions are, the higher the likelihood of surprises during the project.
It's equally important to understand who exactly will be working on the project. Often, only the sales manager is present during negotiations, and then you suddenly learn that the "actual team" is actually a bunch of freelancers. Ask directly about the team: who's the UX designer, who's the front-end developer, who's responsible for the back-end, who's leading the project. If the studio openly shares this information, showing their real profiles and experience, it builds trust.
And, of course, ask for more than just website links, but also a case study: what challenges were encountered, what decisions were made, and why they did things this way. By how confidently and concretely the team describes their work, it's easy to tell whether they have genuine expertise or are simply relying on marketing hype. Choosing a web studio wisely isn't about aggression or suspicion, but rather about healthy caution and a desire to see the whole picture.