Hiring a web developer is one of the most important decisions you'll make for your business. Get it right, and you'll have a powerful tool that brings in customers for years. Get it wrong, and you'll waste money, time, and sanity.
After years of hearing horror stories from clients who came to me after bad experiences with other developers, I've put together this guide to help you avoid the same mistakes.
Step 1: Know What You Need Before You Start Looking
Before you reach out to a single developer, get clear on what you need:
- What type of site? — Brochure site, e-commerce store, blog, web application?
- How many pages? — A rough idea is fine
- What functionality? — Contact forms, online booking, payment processing, user accounts?
- Do you have content? — Text, images, logo, branding colors?
- What's your budget range? — Be honest about what you can invest
- What's your timeline? — When do you need it live?
Having answers to these questions saves time for everyone and helps you get accurate quotes.
Step 2: Where to Find Developers
Good Sources
- Referrals — Ask other business owners who built their website
- Google search — Search "web developer [your city]" and evaluate their own websites
- Portfolio reviews — Look at actual work, not just marketing claims
- LinkedIn — Search for freelance web developers in your area
Proceed With Caution
- Fiverr/Upwork — You can find good people here, but you'll also find a lot of template re-sellers and overseas developers who promise the world for $50
- Facebook marketplace — Very hit or miss
- "My nephew knows computers" — Please don't
Step 3: How to Evaluate a Developer
Look at Their Own Website
This is the most telling sign. If their website is slow, ugly, or hard to navigate, imagine what yours will look like. A developer's own site is their best portfolio piece.
Review Their Portfolio
Don't just look at screenshots — actually visit the live websites they've built. Check:
- Do the sites load quickly?
- Do they look good on mobile?
- Is the design clean and professional?
- Are they all using the same template (red flag)?
- Are the sites still online and maintained?
Check Their Communication
How quickly do they respond to your initial inquiry? Are they clear and professional? If communication is poor during the sales process (when they're trying to impress you), it'll only get worse during the project.
Ask the Right Questions
- "What platform/technology will you use, and why?"
- "What's included in the price?"
- "What's NOT included?"
- "What's the timeline from start to finish?"
- "How many revisions are included?"
- "What happens after launch? Do you offer support?"
- "Who owns the website and domain after it's built?"
- "Can you provide references from past clients?"
Step 4: Red Flags to Watch For
- No contract — Always insist on a written agreement
- Full payment upfront — Standard is 50% upfront, 50% on completion
- Vague pricing — "It depends" without any clarity is a problem
- No portfolio — If they can't show you previous work, walk away
- Unrealistically low prices — If someone quotes $50 for a custom website, they're using a template and pretending it's custom
- They own your domain — YOU should always own your domain name
- Guaranteed #1 on Google — No one can guarantee this. Anyone who does is lying
- No timeline — A good developer gives you a clear project timeline with milestones
Step 5: What Good Developers Do Differently
- They ask YOU lots of questions about your business and goals
- They explain things in plain English, not jargon
- They set realistic expectations about timeline and results
- They provide a clear, written proposal/contract
- They have a structured process (not "I'll figure it out as I go")
- They talk about ROI, not just aesthetics
- They're honest about what they can and can't do
Why Clients Choose Me
I'm not the right fit for everyone, and I'll tell you that upfront. But here's what my clients consistently appreciate:
- Transparent pricing — You know what you're paying before we start
- Direct communication — You work with me, not a team of middlemen
- Fast turnaround — Most projects launch in 1-3 weeks
- Results-focused — I build sites that generate leads and sales, not just look pretty
- Ongoing support — I don't disappear after launch
