Jeddah has hundreds of agencies, freelancers and software houses that build websites. Picking the right one matters: your website is often the first place a customer judges your business, and a poor build can cost you months of rework. Instead of a ranking, this guide gives you a practical way to compare web design and development companies in Jeddah, so you can choose the partner that fits your project.
Updated for 2026. This article was previously a “top 10” list; we replaced it with an independent checklist you can use with any agency, including us.
1. Start with your own goals
Before you contact any company, write down what the website must achieve. A clear brief makes quotes comparable and helps you spot agencies that listen.
- Who the website is for, and what you want visitors to do (call, book, buy, request a quote).
- The languages you need. Most Saudi businesses need Arabic and English.
- Must-have features for launch, such as online payments, booking, a customer portal or integration with your CRM or ERP.
- Your budget range and target launch date.
2. Look at real, relevant work
Ask for projects similar to yours in size and industry, and open the live websites on your phone. Check how fast they load, how the Arabic version looks, and whether forms and checkout actually work. A strong portfolio with case studies that explain the problem and the solution is worth more than a long list of logos.
3. Check Arabic and right-to-left expertise
A bilingual website is more than a translated template. Good agencies design proper right-to-left layouts, choose readable Arabic fonts, and set up separate SEO for each language. Ask to see Arabic pages they have built, not just English ones.
4. Ask how they handle SEO and performance
Your website should be built to be found. Ask how the agency handles page speed, mobile layouts, clean URLs, structured data and meta titles in both languages, and whether they set up Google Search Console and Analytics at launch.
5. Understand the technology they recommend
Some projects are best on WordPress, where your team can update content easily. Others need a custom build with React or Next.js for speed, complex features or high traffic. A good agency explains the trade-offs and recommends what fits your goals, not just what they always use. Read more in our guide React vs WordPress.
6. Compare the process, not just the price
Low quotes often leave out design, content, testing or support. Ask each agency to describe its process step by step:
- Discovery and a written scope before development starts
- Design approval for desktop and mobile, in Arabic and English
- Regular demos on a staging website
- Testing on real devices and browsers before launch
- A clear handover, with training for your team
7. Clarify ownership, hosting and support
Make sure you will own the website, its content, design files and source code, and that domain and hosting accounts are in your company’s name. Ask what happens after launch: who handles updates, backups, security and small changes, and what that costs.
8. Meet the team
For a Jeddah business, working with a local team makes workshops, reviews and support easier. Ask who will actually work on your project and how often you will speak with them.
Questions to ask before you sign
- Can you show us two or three similar projects and their live websites?
- Who will design, build and test our website?
- How do you handle Arabic, right-to-left layouts and bilingual SEO?
- What exactly is included in the quote, and what would cost extra?
- What is the timeline, and what do you need from us at each stage?
- Who owns the code, design files, domain and hosting?
- What support do you provide after launch?
How Whetstonez can help
Whetstonez is a Jeddah-based software company, founded in 2012, that designs and builds bilingual websites, web applications and mobile apps for Saudi businesses. You can see examples in our case studies, learn about our website development services and UI/UX design, or contact us to discuss your project. Use the checklist above with us too.
