10 Crucial Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Web Developer (Avoid Costly Mistakes!)

Your website is the “Face” of your online business, the first place people visit to learn more about your business.  Research suggests that 75% of consumers admit to judging a company’s credibility based on the website. Therefore, a business must create a good first impression.

Choosing the right website developer is essential for your online presence. When hiring a web developer, it is vital to ask the right questions. The right candidate will understand your vision and help you achieve your goals. Evaluating their experience and skill set will help you create a website that improves user experience and generates revenue. In this blog post, we’ll explore key questions to ask potential web developers to make an informed decision.

## 10 Questions to Ask a Web Developer Before Awarding The Project

1. Has the web developer worked on projects with similar goals?

• Try to understand the developer’s past work experience.
• Developers who have worked on similar projects will already have valuable industry-specific knowledge that will benefit your business.
• Reviewing their portfolio allows you to have a better understanding of their working methodologies.

2. What are their Technical Strengths?

• Technical skills allow you to build websites that are not only visually pleasing but also function properly.
• When assessing their technical capabilities, you need to ask questions about their expertise in HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and CMS systems.
• You may have to analyze the functionalities required for your website and discuss them with the web developer to understand how well they can implement them using the best technical knowledge.

3. How Are They Going To Design The Website And Improve User Experience?

• Research shows that 38% of people will stop engaging with a website if the content or layout is unattractive.
• The web developer should be able to implement design aesthetics without compromising on the user experience.
• A well-structured website with clean navigation can increase visitor dwell time and bring about quality conversions.
• Having a visually pleasing website reduces the bounce rate and increases revenue.

4. What is the Research Process of the Developer?

• When choosing a developer, you must ask about the prior research they have done on your business.
• How are they going to identify your USP, target audience, and business goals?
• Do they conduct interviews, analyze competitor websites, or review your ongoing marketing materials?
• Enquire about the steps they have taken to understand your specific industry.
• Their research methodology should include understanding the market trends and analyzing competitor websites.

5. What is Your SEO Strategy?

• Inquire about their SEO strategy beyond basic keyword research, specifically how they plan to improve the website’s organic search rankings.
• Ask about their technical SEO expertise, which includes site speed optimization and mobile friendliness.
• Ask for an initial assessment process about your current website if you are looking for a revamp.

6. How Do You Manage Website Development Projects?

• The developer should have a clear roadmap of their development methodology, including the different phases and deliverables at each stage.
• Check how the developer plans to manage revisions and changes to the project during the development phase.
• Enquire about the measures the developer takes to ensure that the project stays on schedule and how they mitigate potential delays.

7. What Kind of Maintenance and Support Do You Offer?

• The developer should be able to provide a clear idea of how they will maintain the website’s security and performance.
• Inquire about how the developer will handle bugs and other technical issues that may occur after the deployment of the site.
• Ask about the specifics of the standard maintenance package and the additional services available.
• How long does it take to respond to support requests, and how can you contact the developer in case of an emergency?

8. How To Choose the Right CMS for My Website?

• The developer must understand that each website is unique and should build a personalized strategy for each.
• Beyond the basics of installing a CMS system, the developer must show how the CMS system will benefit your business and help you make the right choice.
• Depending on the business goals and technical requirements, it is critical to select a CMS platform that suits your needs.
• The developer should also be aware of the specifics behind choosing the right CMS for your website.

9. What Is The Role of the Business Owner in the Development?

• Proper communication between the business owner and the developer plays a vital role in the development process, and business owners should ensure that the developer employs clear and consistent communication methods.
• Ask how the developer plans to make changes based on the inputs from the business owner.
• Because business owners may have limited technical knowledge, it is important to know how the developer is going to tackle the situation and explain the situation clearly and concisely.

10.How To Understand the Full Cost of Your Project?

• Receiving a detailed breakdown of expenses from the developer experienced in similar projects would help you systematically plan your budget.
• Inquire about the developer’s various pricing plans as this enables you to understand each plan separately.
• You should also know about the developer’s policy on change requests and how they estimate the charges for any additional revisions or features.

Pro Tip

Test Their Technical Skills – Ask them to perform a small coding task or review an existing website’s code. This will give you insights into their problem-solving abilities.

Trivia

The longest domain name ever registered is "llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch.co.uk", the name of a village in Wales.

Identifying the Red Flags of a Wrong Choice of Developer

In the above section, we discussed the important things to ask before hiring a web developer. Let us move on to identifying the red flags of a wrong choice of developer. There are multiple reasons that you should avoid a web developer.

• Lack of Solid Portfolio

• A web developer who is reluctant to provide their previous work may not be an ideal fit for your job.
• Lack of SEO Knowledge

• SEO plays an important role in establishing a strong online presence for your business. The lack of confidence in the details of the SEO strategy should be considered a red flag.
• No Clear Communication

• A web developer who is not proactively asking you about your business and the purpose of the website is a clear signal to look for other alternatives. A successful website can be crafted only with proper communication between the business owner and the developer.
• Overpromising and Unrealistic Guarantees

• Be careful of people who make unrealistic promises like top search engine rankings or exceptionally good results in a very short duration. Web development is a complex process, and even highly experienced developers cannot guarantee specific outcomes.
• Not Focused on Your Specific Needs

• Every business has unique needs and goals. If a web development company does not understand your specific requirements and offers a one-size-fits-all solution, it may not be the right fit.
• Uncertainty in Prices

If a company is not certain about the price or there are hidden charges in their quote, it is advised not to work with them. A reputable website development company will provide a detailed quote outlining all the costs involved in your project.

Conclusion

Choosing a web developer for your website is an important decision and can significantly affect your journey to become a strong digital presence. Therefore, by asking the right questions, you can ensure a good website that will help you generate income.

Remember, clear communication is an essential part as this allows you to develop a top-notch website.

Not sure where to find a web developer who can develop a website that aligns with your business goals? Contact Reji Modiyil, who has been in this industry for 20+ years. Reji Modiyil considers each website as a unique entity and will provide personalized solutions that help you to grow your business.

FAQ’s

How do I know if I need a web developer or a web designer?

A web designer focuses on aesthetics and UI/UX, while a web developer handles coding and functionality. If you need both, look for a full-stack developer or an agency.

• Should I hire a freelancer or a web development agency?
• Freelancers are more affordable and flexible but may lack full-service support.
• Agencies provide a team with diverse expertise, but they cost more.
• Choose based on your budget and project scope. How long does it take to build a website?
• Basic websites: 2-4 weeks
• Business websites: 4-8 weeks
• E-commerce platforms: 8-16 weeks
• Custom-built solutions: 3-6 months What is the best CMS for my business?
• WordPress – Best for blogs & small businesses
• Shopify – Best for e-commerce
• Magento – Best for enterprise-level e-commerce
• Webflow – Best for designers with coding flexibility
• Custom CMS – Best for unique business models What makes a website load faster?
• Compressed images (WebP format recommended)
• Minified CSS, JavaScript, and HTML
• Fast hosting with CDN (Content Delivery Network)
• Browser caching
• Lazy loading for images