10 things to check before you order a website in Spain
A short checklist for businesses in Spain and the Canary Islands: what to agree with the developer before paying, so the website is yours, legally compliant and visible on Google. With ready-to-send questions.
What to verify before signing the order:
Each point is one question for the developer. If you don't get a clear answer, that's a warning sign.
- 1
The domain is registered in your name
If the domain belongs to the agency, switching providers can cost you the domain and your Google rankings. Require access to the registrar panel.
„Whose name will the domain be registered in, and will I get registrar access?”
- 2
The code and hosting are yours
After payment you should receive the source code and hosting access. A site built on a closed website builder cannot be moved to another provider.
„Will I receive the full website code and hosting access after launch?”
- 3
Languages: included or extra
In Spain you need Spanish; for foreign customers English or other languages. Each version should have its own page titles for Google.
„How many languages are included and who does the translations?”
- 4
Legal notice, GDPR and cookies
Spain's LSSI-CE law requires company details on the site (name, NIF, address, e-mail). Plus a GDPR-compliant privacy policy and a cookie banner with a real choice.
„Are the legal notice, privacy policy and cookie banner included?”
- 5
A Spanish invoice: IGIC or IVA
A Canary Islands provider invoices with IGIC (7%), the mainland with IVA (21%), abroad with reverse charge. Make sure your accountant can book that invoice.
„What invoice will I get and with which tax?”
- 6
Scope written down point by point
List of pages, languages, who provides texts and photos, what costs extra (logo, photo shoot, copywriting). Without a list, every change ends in a surcharge.
„What exactly is included in the price and what is charged extra?”
- 7
Speed on mobile
Most of your customers will visit from a phone. Require a Google PageSpeed (mobile) score above 80 before accepting the site.
„What mobile PageSpeed score do you guarantee at handover?”
- 8
Local SEO from day one
Google Business Profile linked to the site, titles with the city name in your customers' language, structured data and a sitemap in Search Console. That's the baseline, not an extra.
„Which SEO work is included: titles, Search Console, Google Business Profile?”
- 9
Enquiries land where you'll read them
The form must send to your e-mail and be tested at handover. A WhatsApp button with a pre-filled message. With several enquiry sources, a simple CRM.
„Where do form enquiries go, and will we test it together?”
- 10
Maintenance after launch
Who updates, backs up and fixes things when they break, and how fast? Agree a monthly fee and its scope. Without maintenance, a site stops working within a year.
„How much is monthly maintenance and what does it cover?”
Download the checklist for free
Enter your e-mail: the PDF opens immediately and I'll send a copy to your inbox.
What you get in the PDF:
10 points with why each one matters and what you risk by skipping it
Ready-made questions for the developer, to paste into an e-mail or WhatsApp
3 warning signs that tell you to keep looking
The specifics on invoices in Spain: IGIC, IVA and reverse charge
Space for notes next to each point: print it and bring it to the meeting
Who this checklist is for:
You run or are starting a business in Spain or the Canary Islands and need a website
You already have a website but don't know whether the domain and code are yours
You're comparing quotes and want to judge them by the same criteria
You'd rather pay once properly than twice for fixes
Got the checklist? See how I meet it.
All 10 points come as standard with every website I build: your domain and code, three languages, legal notice and GDPR, IGIC invoice, PageSpeed above 90. See the packages or write to me, I reply within 24 h.