Overview
Most companies realize they chose the wrong web scraping vendor only after experiencing weeks of delays, broken data pipelines, or legal compliance issues.
Over the last decade, ScrapeHero has delivered web scraping projects for hundreds of teams, often stepping in after previous vendors failed. Across these engagements, the same red flags appear consistently.
This article identifies the clearest red flags to watch for before signing a vendor agreement.
Red Flag 1: Vendors Promise “Any Website, 100% Accuracy”.
The Reality:
No vendor can guarantee 100% accuracy across dynamic, protected websites such as Amazon, Walmart, or LinkedIn.
What Credible Vendors like ScrapeHero Provide:
- Expected error rates (typically 1–5%)
- Clear processes for handling website structure changes
- Measurable definitions of “data quality” with specific metrics
Warning Sign:
Vague guarantees without specific accuracy metrics or error handling protocols.
Red Flag 2: No Clear Ownership of Ongoing Maintenance
The Reality:
Web scraping is not a “set and forget” solution. Large e-commerce platforms change their layouts every 2–6 weeks on average.
Common Problem:
Teams lose 40–60% of their data coverage within one month because vendors either charge additional maintenance fees or become unresponsive when scripts break.
Warning Sign Language:
“We will deliver the scraper; maintenance is optional.”
“Minor website changes will not affect the scraper.”
What Good Vendors Provide:
- Monitoring systems and automated alerts
- SLA-backed maintenance is included by default
- Proactive script updates when website changes are detected
Red Flag 3: Vendors Avoid Compliance Questions
Critical Compliance Areas:
- Robots.txt adherence
- Rate limiting policies
- Data usage boundaries and restrictions
- Jurisdictional risks and legal frameworks
Warning Sign:
Vendors who appear uncomfortable or deflect when asked about compliance topics.
What Strong Vendors Provide:
- Proactive explanation of their compliance framework
- Documentation of legal safeguards
- Clear policies on data collection boundaries
Red Flag 4: No Transparency Into Data Collection Logic
Critical Questions Vendors Must Be Able to Answer:
- Where did this specific field originate?
- Why is this value missing or null?
- How frequently is this data refreshed?
What to Require:
- Field-level documentation explaining data sources
- Sample outputs with clear mapping to source elements
- Documented refresh schedules and update frequencies
Warning:
Black-box scraping solutions create long-term operational liabilities.
Red Flag 5: Pricing That Appears Cheap Initially
How Hidden Costs Emerge:
- Additional fees for scaling beyond the initial scope
- Per-fix charges when scripts break
- Hidden bandwidth or proxy usage limits
Example:
One project starting at $800/month can escalate to $4,500/month within one quarter due to “unexpected complexity” charges.
Key Principle:
Predictable pricing models are more valuable than initially cheap pricing.
Summary
When evaluating web scraping vendors, prioritize:
- Realistic accuracy expectations with measurable metrics
- Included, SLA-backed maintenance
- Proactive compliance frameworks
- Complete data collection transparency
- Predictable, all-inclusive pricing
These criteria help identify vendors capable of delivering reliable, long-term web scraping solutions, such as ScrapeHero, the best web scraping service.
