Questions to ask a branding agency?

Questions to Ask a Branding Agency Before Starting a ProjectSelecting the right branding agency is one of the most critical decisions you'll make for your business. The partnership quality will directly impact not just your brand identity, but your market positioning, customer perception, and business growth.Based on insights from leading agencies like Dixon Baxi and Focus Lab, and what we see working with B2B brands at Everything Design, here’s a practical framework for evaluating and selecting a branding partner.Critical Questions About Process and ApproachHow does your branding process align with our business goals?Every agency has a distinct culture and methodology. Understanding their process ensures it matches your expectations and objectives.Focus Lab, for instance, emphasizes a “Research, Evaluation, and Direction” approach, spending significant time learning about a company’s current brand through detailed questioning and listening before moving forward.Similarly, a strong B2B-focused firm like Everything Design moves through defined phases—discovery, brand strategy, website messaging, and design execution—so that every creative decision ties back to business outcomes such as lead quality, pricing power, and sales velocity.When you’re evaluating agencies, ask them to walk you through:Their phases (discovery, strategy, design, rollout)What happens in each phaseHow each phase connects to concrete business outcomes, not just visual outputsWhat is your philosophy on client collaboration?This question reveals whether you’ll be treated as a partner or just a client.Dixon Baxi’s philosophy is instructive here: their best, award-winning work always starts with clients and is approved by them. They see true collaboration as navigating disagreements in an environment where both sides learn and grow, with the best collaborators challenging them to be better.Everything Design’s view of agency–client partnerships is similar: the relationship should feel like a strategic partnership, not a vendor arrangement. Focus Lab likewise uses their kickoff process to define key objectives and ensure both teams are aligned from the start.Ask:How do you typically work with clients day to day?What does collaboration look like at key milestones?How do you prefer to receive and give feedback?How do you handle disagreements and feedback?The best agencies view disagreement as productive, not problematic.Dixon Baxi openly acknowledges that the path is often paved with debates and differences, but the strength of the partnership lies in a mutual belief that together you can create something unique.A healthy partner should be able to explain:How many feedback rounds are built into the processHow they structure review calls or workshopsHow they balance client preferences with strategic and creative integrityYou’re looking for a stance similar to Everything Design’s: aligned on the goal, honest in feedback, and respectful in how decisions are made.Questions About Expertise and CapabilitiesWhat are your core strengths and areas of specialization?Understanding an agency’s expertise helps you see whether their capabilities match your needs.Look for agencies that can show depth in your specific context—whether that’s B2B positioning, SaaS, cybersecurity, fintech, industrials, or complex website ecosystems.For example, Focus Lab has specialized in B2B technology branding for years, building repeatable processes that deliver consistent outcomes. Likewise, Everything Design focuses on B2B tech, SaaS, cybersecurity, and fintech brands, combining brand strategy, visual identity, and website development to solve specific business problems, not just make things look “nice.”Ask them:What are you best known for?What types of companies do you work with most often?Where do you not claim expertise?Can you show relevant case studies from our industry?Case studies are your best lens into how an agency thinks and operates.You’re not just checking whether they’ve worked in your vertical, but also:How they framed the problemHow they approached strategy and designWhat changed for the client after the work went liveStrong partners will have detailed project write-ups similar to Everything Design’s case studies. You should be able to see how they repositioned brands, redesigned websites, clarified messaging, improved perception, and supported sales or fundraising.Good signs:Clear before/after narrativesExplanation of key strategic decisionsEvidence of results (even directional: better sales conversations, stronger investor interest, faster deal cycles, etc.)Who will actually work on our project, and what are their qualifications?You aren’t hiring a logo; you’re hiring people.Ask to meet the core team who will work on your brand:Strategy lead / brand strategistCreative director / design leadCopywriter / messaging leadWebsite lead (UX / Webflow / dev if relevant)Agencies like Dixon Baxi talk about being “fluent in people” because great work depends on the right team dynamics. Similarly, a serious B2B agency such as Everything Design will highlight the seniority and specialist mix on your project—not just say “our team will handle it.”Questions to ask:Who will be in the core team for our project?How much senior involvement can we expect?How many projects is this team running in parallel?Selection Criteria: What to Look ForCultural Fit Over EverythingDixon Baxi openly prioritises cultural fit over revenue and sometimes says no to big-money projects if the values and mindset aren’t aligned.This is a powerful filter for you as well. Cultural alignment acts as a force multiplier:Communication is easierCollaboration feels naturalYou can be more honest, earlierThe work ends up more authentic and effectiveAsk agencies:What are your core values as a company?What types of clients or projects do you say no to, and why?How would you describe your working style? Direct? Formal? Casual? Highly structured?Agencies with a clear point of view, like Everything Design, usually know who they do their best work with—and who they don’t.Portfolio Quality and VersatilityWhen reviewing portfolios, look beyond surface aesthetics.Look for:Consistent qualityDoes the work look considered, intentional, and well-crafted across projects?Authentic spiritDoes every brand look the same, or can they genuinely capture different personalities—serious, playful, premium, disruptive, conservative?Strategic thinkingDo case studies connect design decisions to business outcomes such as “clearer positioning,” “better qualified leads,” or “easier sales conversations”?Range of stylesCan they handle both minimal corporate design and more expressive or experimental directions?Evidence of impactEven if exact numbers aren’t shared, do they talk about what changed for the client?Use a project gallery like Everything Design’s as a benchmark for how clearly and confidently work should be presented.Strategic Depth, Not Just Design ExecutionThe best agencies don’t just ask, “What should this look like?” They start with, “What are we trying to achieve?”You want to see capabilities in:Brand positioning and differentiationAudience research and insight gatheringCompetitive and category analysisMessaging frameworks and brand narrativeTranslating strategy into identity, UX, and contentThis kind of thinking often shows up in their content as well. For example, Everything Design’s guide to B2B branding agencies and their perspectives on Webflow agency selection connect brand and website choices directly to revenue, investor perception, and sales efficiency.When you talk to an agency, notice:Do they ask deep questions about your business model and GTM, or jump straight to visuals?Can they talk clearly about your category dynamics and decision-makers?Do they seem more excited about “cool design” or about helping you win in the market?Defined Process and MethodologyA clear process is non-negotiable.Without structure, it’s almost impossible to get reliable outcomes—especially with multiple stakeholders and a complex business.Look for:Named and defined phases (e.g., Discover → Define → Design → Deploy)Clear activities in each phase (interviews, workshops, research, concepts, refinement, documentation)Defined deliverables and checkpointsHow they manage approvals and reduce subjective “like/don’t like” feedbackAgencies like Focus Lab and Everything Design clearly describe how they:Prepare for kickoff (business objectives, target audiences, existing brand, competitive landscape)Create a “single source of truth” documentMove from strategy to naming, identity, website, and rolloutIf they struggle to explain their process simply, that’s a concern.Red Flags to AvoidLack of Questions or CuriosityIf an agency isn’t asking deep questions—about revenue streams, buying committees, pricing, implementation, product roadmap, internal constraints—that’s a warning sign.Good branding starts with understanding:How you actually make moneyHow customers currently find and choose youWhy deals are won or lostHow your category is shiftingIf the conversation is mostly you asking questions and them pitching, with very little real curiosity, look elsewhere.Unrealistic Promises or GuaranteesBe cautious of statements like:“We’ll 10x your revenue in 3 months.”“We can guarantee specific rankings or press.”“This rebrand alone will fix all pipeline problems.”Real brand building is powerful, but it works in combination with sales, product, and marketing execution. Any agency oversimplifying that is either inexperienced or not being honest.One-Size-Fits-All ApproachesIf their proposal or process feels like a generic template, that’s another red flag.Watch out for:Identical process and deliverables regardless of company stage, category, or ambitionLittle or no tailoring in their recommendations“Packages” that look more like a productised service than a considered response to your situationEvery brand has unique constraints and opportunities. Strategy, depth of research, and execution should reflect that.Poor Transparency and CommunicationPay attention to how they handle:Pricing and scope breakdownsAssumptions and exclusionsWho will communicate with you and how oftenHow quickly and clearly they respond during the sales processStrong agencies are upfront about costs, timelines, and exactly what you’re getting. You should feel the same clarity you get from well-structured articles and pages, like Everything Design’s breakdowns on B2B branding and Webflow work.Outdated Practices or ThinkingBranding and digital touchpoints evolve fast. Be cautious if:Their work looks dated or heavily trend-driven from years agoThey don’t mention Webflow, motion, UX, or newer ways of building brands onlineThey show little awareness of how AI, category creation, PLG, or modern GTM motions affect brand strategyYou want a partner who’s clearly learning, iterating, and working with current tools and channels.What the Partnership Should Look LikePartnership, Not Vendor RelationshipThe best work emerges when both sides see each other as partners.Everything Design describes this as avoiding “grand reveals” and instead using an iterative, inclusive process where clients are involved in key decisions and invited to shape the work.You should feel:Comfortable sharing context—even when messySafe to disagree and ask for rationaleConfident that the agency will push back when needed to protect the integrity of the workShared Goals and Mutual AccountabilityBoth sides should be aligned on:What success looks like for this projectHow you’ll measure progress (qualitative and quantitative)What the agency is responsible for—and what your team is responsible forGood partners help translate your vision into clear milestones and report back on progress. At the same time, they’ll need your input, decisions, and internal alignment to keep things moving.Open, Frequent CommunicationHealthy partnerships are built on regular, honest communication:Clear meeting cadence (weekly/bi-weekly check-ins)Quick responses to questions and blockersEarly surfacing of concerns or risksWritten recaps and decisions after key callsAgencies that invest in detailed, educational content—like Everything Design’s guides and relationship frameworks—tend to mirror that clarity in their project communication as well.Respect for Complementary ExpertiseAgencies bring:Outside perspectiveStrategic frameworksCreative and technical expertiseClients bring:Deep brand and product knowledgeMarket and customer insightInternal realities and constraintsAs Everything Design points out, no agency can know a client’s brand as intimately as the client themselves, which is why integrating client expertise into the process is essential.You want a partner who listens carefully and is confident enough to bring a clear point of view.Challenge and Growth MindsetDixon Baxi talks about collaborators who challenge them to be better, and about starting with “uncomfortable” rather than “safe” choices.That’s what you’re looking for:An agency willing to push beyond obvious answersA relationship where both sides can challenge each other respectfullyA shared belief that the work can transform not just the brand, but how the business shows up in the marketIf the agency just nods along with everything you say, you’re not buying expertise—you’re buying execution.Long-Term ThinkingBranding doesn’t end at launch.Consider:Will they support roll-out and internal adoption?Can they help evolve your website, content, and campaigns over time?Do they think in terms of phases—brand now, then product launches, then new markets, etc.?Agencies who handle strategy, identity, and website redesigns together—like Everything Design—are often better placed to support you long term because they understand how all the pieces connect.Dixon Baxi’s Partnership Philosophy: Key TakeawaysDixon Baxi’s viewpoint is a useful benchmark for what “great” can look like in an agency relationship:Work with collaborators who don’t commoditise creativityPut invention, mutual trust, and respect for the process at the centreMake time for excellence instead of rushing to outputFavour collaboration over dictationBuild consensus and avoid arbitrary subjectivityTurn intuition into insight, not random guessworkThey summarise their priorities as “People. Creativity. Profit. In that order.”That hierarchy is worth borrowing when you evaluate partners.Paired with the operational clarity of Focus Lab and the B2B depth of agencies like Everything Design, you get a strong lens for assessing how serious a prospective partner really is—both about the work and about the relationship.Final ThoughtsChoosing a branding agency is about far more than liking a portfolio.You’re looking for a partner who:Shares your ambition and valuesBrings genuine strategic and creative expertiseChallenges your thinking, respectfullyCommunicates clearly and consistentlyHas a defined, transparent processUnderstands how brand, website, and GTM fit togetherAsk hard questions, probe for cultural alignment, and pay attention to how the agency thinks—not just what they show.The right partnership can reshape not only how your brand looks and sounds, but how your business is perceived, trusted, and chosen in the market.