Audit Us First: The Framework We Encourage Clients to Use Before Hiring Any Digital Agency

Web design in South Africa is competitive. SEO agencies promise rankings. Freelancers promise speed and affordability. Agencies promise structure and scale.

But very few businesses know how to properly evaluate these claims.

Most comparisons are based on:

• Price
• Design style
• Personality fit
• Turnaround time

Very few are based on structural due diligence.

Before choosing between a freelancer and a structured digital agency, ask a more important question:

Can this provider withstand a proper audit?

At New Perspective Design, we actively encourage potential clients to audit us before they hire us. We also encourage them to apply the same framework to any web design company, SEO agency, or WordPress development provider they are considering.

This is not about choosing the most expensive option.

It is about choosing alignment between capability and ambition.

Below is the audit framework.

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1. Search Visibility Audit: Do They Rank for What They Sell?

If an agency sells SEO services, web design, or digital marketing, there should be measurable search visibility signals.

This does not mean they must dominate every keyword. It means their service claims should align with observable presence.

You can verify this using tools such as:

• SEMrush
• Ahrefs
• Similarweb

Ask:

• Do they rank for core services?
• Are they visible in their primary city or country?
• Do they publish SEO-focused content?
• Is there keyword consistency across service pages?

Low traffic does not automatically equal low competence. However, bold SEO claims combined with zero measurable visibility should prompt deeper questioning.

If an agency positions itself as a technical SEO specialist or a WordPress development company in South Africa, you should be able to see evidence of search positioning.

Search:

New Perspective Design
Web design South Africa
SEO agency Johannesburg
WordPress development company South Africa

Alignment between service and search presence is the signal.

Key Takeaways

SEO claims should align with search visibility.
You are evaluating consistency, not perfection.
If visibility is central to your growth strategy, evidence matters.

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2. Technical Portfolio Audit: Design Versus Infrastructure

Design is visible. Infrastructure is invisible.

Most agencies showcase attractive designs. Fewer demonstrate technical consistency across multiple client builds.

Search:

“Designed by [Agency Name]”

Open at least three client websites and evaluate:

• Mobile optimisation
• Page speed performance
• Structured heading hierarchy
• Internal linking
• Clear conversion paths
• Analytics tracking presence
• Schema markup

Test speed using Google PageSpeed Insights or Lighthouse.

Look beyond the homepage.

Check whether blog articles are structured properly. Check whether metadata is present. Check whether service pages are logically organised.

If your website must generate leads, traffic, or sales, infrastructure matters more than aesthetics.

Key Takeaways

Design attracts attention. Structure drives performance.
Inspect multiple projects for consistency.
Infrastructure quality reflects process maturity.

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3. Author and Entity Audit: Who Is Behind the Work?

Digital agencies are knowledge businesses. Their expertise should leave a traceable footprint.

Search the founder’s name. Search the agency name. Search team members.

Check platforms such as:

• LinkedIn
• WordPress

Look for:

• Educational articles
• Technical breakdowns
• Public case studies
• Certifications
• Thought leadership
• Community involvement

An agency that cannot explain its own methodology publicly may not have a defined internal framework.

When you search Juan Preuyt and New Perspective Design, you should see structured SEO discussions, WordPress development insights, and long-form educational content.

Entity consistency is not self-promotion. It is transparency.

Key Takeaways

Strong agencies leave digital footprints beyond sales pages.
Published thinking signals structured capability.
Entity consistency builds long-term trust.

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4. Review Pattern Integrity: Look for Longevity

Five-star ratings alone do not tell the full story.

Evaluate patterns on:

• Google Business Profile
• Clutch
• DesignRush

Ask:

• Are reviews consistent over several years?
• Do clients reference specific outcomes?
• Does the agency respond professionally?
• Is there visible long-term client retention?

Short bursts of activity followed by silence can indicate instability.

Long-term patterns indicate operational health.

Key Takeaways

Longevity matters more than volume.
Detailed reviews carry more weight than generic praise.
Professional responses reflect structured communication.

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5. Case Study Depth: Evidence Versus Presentation

A portfolio is not a case study.

A proper case study includes:

• The business challenge
• Market context
• Strategy implemented
• Technical execution
• Measurement framework
• Results over time

If an agency cannot explain:

• How traffic improved
• How rankings shifted
• How conversions increased
• How technical SEO was structured

Then growth may not have been engineered.

At New Perspective Design, case studies focus on measurable progression, not visual galleries.

Key Takeaways

Screenshots show appearance. Case studies show outcomes.
Growth should be measurable, not assumed.
Structured reporting signals strategic depth.

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6. Tracking and Measurement Audit: Is Data Installed Properly?

Many websites launch without proper measurement infrastructure.

Ask:

• Is Google Analytics configured correctly?
• Are conversions tracked?
• Are events defined?
• Is reporting structured?

A professional digital agency should understand tracking frameworks, not just design.

Without measurement, optimisation is guesswork.

If growth matters to your business, analytics must be installed from day one.

Key Takeaways

No tracking means no optimisation.
Data infrastructure determines scalability.
Measurement maturity reflects strategic competence.

7. Process Transparency Audit: Is There a Defined Methodology?

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Ask the agency to explain their process.

Look for:

• Discovery phase
• Keyword research methodology
• UX planning
• Development structure
• Testing protocol
• Post-launch support

Vague answers indicate reactive work.

Clear frameworks indicate structured execution.

At New Perspective Design, process clarity is central to delivery.

Key Takeaways

Structured processes reduce risk.
Defined workflows signal professionalism.
Transparency builds confidence.

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8. Operational Legitimacy Audit: Risk Reduction Signals

Freelancers can be excellent. Agencies can be disorganised.

This is not about size.

It is about risk signals.

Ask:

• Is the business formally registered?
• Are contracts issued?
• Is there documented scope?
• Are revision limits defined?
• Is support structured?

If your website influences revenue, operational structure matters.

Key Takeaways

Structure reduces business risk.
Clarity in contracts protects both sides.
Operational maturity supports long-term partnerships.

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9. Complexity Matching: Choosing Based on Growth Stage

Not every business requires a full-service agency.

If your website is informational and not tied to growth, a capable freelancer may be sufficient.

However, if your business depends on:

• Organic search traffic
• Competitive positioning
• Paid advertising integration
• CRM systems
• Technical scalability
• Conversion rate optimisation
• Ongoing SEO refinement

Then infrastructure becomes critical.

Your decision should match your growth stage, not simply your budget.

Key Takeaways

Different business stages require different digital infrastructure.
Budget should align with complexity, not fear.
Underbuilding can limit future growth.

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Why We Encourage This Level of Scrutiny

We do not believe in being chosen because we sound confident.

We believe in being chosen because our structure withstands evaluation.

Audit New Perspective Design.
Audit other agencies.
Apply this framework objectively.

The strongest agencies welcome scrutiny.

The right digital partner is not the most expensive one.

It is the one whose demonstrated structure aligns with your long-term growth ambitions.

If you would like us to run this audit framework against your current provider or against ourselves in more detail, request a structured review.

Due diligence protects your business.

And infrastructure determines outcomes.