How to choose a web design company in Hong Kong
Compare written quotes that list every page and feature, check that the domain, hosting and code will be registered in your company's name, look at live sites they built (on your phone), and ask who actually builds it and what happens after launch. Most "top 10" lists online are written by agencies that rank themselves first, so judge on these points instead.
- Listed HK sites no longer working
- 19.6%
- On a lapsed domain
- 11.4%
- No one-tap WhatsApp or call
- 60%
4.9
patient rating displayed on the live site
Why most "best web design company" lists don't help
Search for the best web design companies in Hong Kong and most of the lists are published by web design companies, usually with themselves at number one. Directories such as Clutch and GoodFirms are more neutral because they rank on verified client reviews. Use lists to find names, then compare those names on the questions below.
Ten questions to ask before you sign
- Will the quote list every page and feature, at one fixed price that won't change mid-project?
- Will the domain, hosting and code be registered in my company's name from day one?
- Who will actually design and build it: the person I'm talking to, or someone else?
- Can I see a preview link while it's being built?
- Can I open three live sites you built, on my phone, right now?
- Will it work in English and Chinese properly (separate pages, correct language tags), or a translation widget?
- Is mobile speed and basic SEO included, or extra?
- Can my team update content without paying you each time?
- What does it cost per year after launch: hosting, domain, maintenance?
- If we part ways, do I get everything I need to move the site elsewhere?
Red flags
In our study of 836 Hong Kong small-business websites, 19.6% of listed sites no longer worked and 11.4% pointed to a domain that no longer exists. A domain registered in someone else's name, with nobody responsible for renewing it, is one common way that happens. Warning signs:
- The domain will be registered to the agency, not to you
- A monthly fee with no clear list of what it covers, or that you can't cancel without losing the site
- A "custom design" that is a template, or a portfolio of sites that are offline
- No written scope: "we'll work it out as we go"
- A price far below the market with no explanation of what's left out
What should a website cost in Hong Kong?
Template packages start at a few thousand dollars; agencies commonly charge tens of thousands. At Kodinav, a custom business website is HK$7,000 – 15,000, a landing page HK$5,000 – 8,000 and an online shop HK$16,000 – 32,000, each fixed in writing. Whatever you pay, the quote should make clear what you get.
What a good website for a Hong Kong business includes
60% of the sites in our study had no one-tap WhatsApp or call link on the homepage. At minimum, look for:
- One-tap WhatsApp and call on phones, and a short enquiry form
- English and Traditional Chinese on separate URLs, with hreflang tags
- Fast loading on mobile, and HTTPS
- Clear services, prices or a way to get a quote, and proof (work, reviews)
- Payments by FPS, PayMe, cards or Octopus if you sell online
Comparing quotes: what to check
| Check | Good answer | Warning sign |
|---|---|---|
| Domain and hosting | In your company's name | Registered to the agency |
| Price | Fixed, itemised, in writing | Hourly, or "to be confirmed" |
| Who builds it | Named person you can talk to | "Our team", outsourced unknown |
| Languages | Separate URLs, hreflang | Translate button only |
| After launch | Clear yearly costs, you can edit | Locked in, every change billed |
Questions about choosing a web design company
There isn't one best company for everyone. Choose the one whose written quote, ownership terms, live work and after-launch costs fit your business, using the questions on this page. Review-based directories like Clutch are more neutral than lists written by agencies.
A freelancer is usually cheaper and you talk to the builder directly, but check they're reachable long-term. An agency has more people but often a higher price and less direct contact. Either way, insist on ownership of the domain and code.
Not always. A template can be fine for a very simple site. Check what's excluded (bilingual pages, SEO, editing, hosting) and who owns the domain.
A small business website usually takes 2 to 4 weeks once content is ready; an online shop 3 to 6 weeks.