Guides
Practical, no-fluff guides for businesses hiring and working with AI agencies.
How to hire an AI agency: a step-by-step guide
The full buyer's journey — scope, shortlist, vet, contract, escrow, and delivery.
Read guide →How to vet an AI agency: a practical checklist
The exact criteria, questions, and red flags enterprises use before hiring an AI agency.
Read guide →Questions to ask an AI agency before you hire
The 10 questions that separate a real AI agency from a rebranded marketing shop.
Read guide →Red flags when hiring an AI agency
The warning signs that an agency will waste your budget — and how to protect yourself.
Read guide →Real AI agency vs rebranded marketing agency
How to tell an engineering team from a marketing shop that added AI to its homepage.
Read guide →How to check if an AI agency is legit and registered
Verify the company in KVK or Companies House before you pay — and why it matters.
Read guide →What the EU AI Act means when you're buying AI
The buyer's view of the EU AI Act: your obligations as a deployer and what to require.
Read guide →How to pay an AI agency safely (escrow explained)
Milestone-based escrow: funds released only when you approve each deliverable.
Read guide →What is a Statement of Work (SOW) for an AI project?
The must-have clauses — scope, milestones, acceptance criteria, data, and IP.
Read guide →How milestone payments protect you
Break a project into funded, approved stages so you never pay ahead of delivery.
Read guide →Who owns the IP and code when you hire an AI agency?
Ownership depends on the contract — what to settle in writing before work starts.
Read guide →How to avoid getting scammed by a development agency
Four safeguards: verify the company, sign a SOW, use escrow, check references.
Read guide →How much does it cost to hire an AI agency?
The real cost drivers, typical project ranges, and how to budget before you commit.
Read guide →AI agency pricing models explained
Hourly vs fixed vs retainer vs milestone — how each works and which protects buyers.
Read guide →How much does it cost to build an AI chatbot or agent?
From a simple scripted bot to a custom AI agent — what drives the price.
Read guide →How much does a custom LLM or RAG app cost?
RAG vs fine-tuning vs training from scratch, plus the ongoing costs to budget for.
Read guide →Is hiring an AI agency worth it?
When an agency beats freelancers or in-house — and when it doesn't.
Read guide →AI agency vs freelancer vs in-house
A one-line verdict per option and a simple rule for choosing.
Read guide →Hiring an AI agency vs building AI in-house
A full cost and risk breakdown of the two routes, side by side.
Read guide →Vetted marketplace vs hiring an AI agency directly
Do your own vetting and contracts, or have a marketplace handle them.
Read guide →Upwork & Fiverr alternatives for hiring AI developers
Why gig platforms fall short for AI work, and the better options.
Read guide →AI agency vs AI consultant: what's the difference?
One advises, one builds — when you need each, and how projects use both.
Read guide →How to make sure your AI agency is GDPR compliant
The data-handling checks to require before you sign — DPA, training use, and more.
Read guide →EU AI Act vs GDPR: what's the difference?
One governs data, one governs AI systems — how both apply when you commission AI.
Read guide →Is your AI use case 'high-risk' under the EU AI Act?
The high-risk categories in plain terms, so you can gauge your exposure.
Read guide →How to get clients for your AI agency
For agencies: niche down, show proof, earn trust, and be where buyers look.
Read guide →Where AI agencies find projects and qualified leads
For agencies: the five lead channels compared on quality and effort.
Read guide →How to grow an AI agency
For agencies: productise delivery, specialise, and build predictable lead flow.
Read guide →More guides coming soon.