Hiring a web developer is a significant investment. The right one will build you a powerful business tool that pays for itself many times over. The wrong one will waste your money, time, and patience.
Before you commit to anyone, ask these essential questions. The answers will tell you everything you need to know about whether they're the right fit.
Questions About Their Process
"What does your development process look like from start to finish?"
A professional developer should be able to walk you through their process clearly. Look for defined phases: discovery, design, development, testing, launch. If they can't explain their process, they probably don't have one.
"What platform/technology will you use, and why?"
They should recommend technology based on YOUR needs, not just what they're most comfortable with. If they can't explain WHY they're recommending a specific approach, that's a red flag.
"What do you need from me, and when?"
A good developer sets clear expectations about what you need to provide (content, images, feedback) and when. This prevents delays and miscommunication.
Questions About Cost and Timeline
"What exactly is included in the price?"
Get a detailed breakdown. "A website for $500" is vague. You need to know: how many pages, what features, how many revisions, is hosting included, is SEO included, is content writing included?
"What's NOT included?"
This is just as important as what's included. Common exclusions: content writing, photography, hosting, domain registration, ongoing maintenance. Make sure there are no surprise costs after you've started.
"What are the payment terms?"
Standard is 50% upfront and 50% on completion. Be wary of anyone asking for 100% upfront. Also ask about their refund policy if you're unhappy with the work.
"What's the realistic timeline?"
Get a specific timeline with milestones, not just "a few weeks." A good developer should commit to dates for design reviews, development completion, and launch.
Questions About Ownership and Control
"Will I own the website and all its files?"
This is critical. You should own everything — the code, the design, the content. Some developers retain ownership and essentially hold your website hostage. If you want to leave, you'd have to start over from scratch.
"Will I own my domain name?"
Your domain should be registered in YOUR name with YOUR email address. Never let a developer register your domain in their name. If the relationship goes bad, they control your web address.
"Can I make basic updates myself?"
You shouldn't need to call your developer (and pay them) to change your phone number or update a paragraph of text. Ask about what kind of admin access or CMS you'll have.
Questions About After Launch
"What happens after the website launches?"
A good developer doesn't disappear after launch. Ask about:
- Bug fixes — How long are they covered?
- Support — Is there a warranty period?
- Maintenance — Do they offer ongoing plans?
- Updates — Who handles software and security updates?
"Do you offer ongoing maintenance?"
Websites need regular maintenance for security, performance, and content updates. If the developer doesn't offer this, who will handle it?
"What if I need changes after launch?"
Understand their post-launch pricing. Is there an hourly rate? A monthly retainer? A set number of included changes?
Questions About Quality and Results
"Can I see examples of websites you've built?"
Don't just look at screenshots — visit the live sites. Check if they're fast, mobile-friendly, and professional. Are the sites varied (custom), or do they all look the same (template)?
"Can you provide references from past clients?"
A confident developer will happily connect you with past clients. If they hesitate, ask yourself why.
"Do you include SEO?"
SEO should be built into every website, not an expensive add-on. At minimum, ask about title tags, meta descriptions, site speed, mobile optimization, and proper heading structure.
"How will the site perform on mobile?"
With 65%+ of traffic coming from mobile devices, this should be a priority, not an afterthought. Ask to see mobile examples of their previous work.
Red Flag Answers
- "Don't worry about the details" — You should ALWAYS have details in writing
- "I'll figure it out as I go" — No clear process = chaos
- "I can guarantee #1 on Google" — Nobody can guarantee this. It's a lie
- "I don't use contracts" — Run. Always have a written agreement
- "I'll own the domain for you" — YOU must own your domain
My Answers to All of These Questions
I'm transparent about everything — my process, pricing, timeline, and what you own (spoiler: everything). I'm happy to answer every one of these questions in detail during a free consultation.
