Published | 14 min read
Key Takeaways
- It's important to carefully vet a web developer before hiring them to ensure that they have the necessary skills, experience, and expertise to create a website that meets your needs and goals.
- A poorly designed website can have a negative impact on your brand's image and can result in lost revenue and opportunities.
- Working with an inexperienced or unreliable web designer can also result in project delays, cost overruns, and frustration.
- By carefully considering the right questions to ask a web developer before hiring them, you can ensure that you are working with a professional who can deliver a high-quality website that meets your needs, stays within your budget, and is delivered on time.
Hiring a web developer is an important decision that can have a significant impact on the success of a project.
With this in mind, it is essential to ask the right questions to ensure that the right candidate is chosen for the role. Knowing which questions to ask a web developer can greatly improve the chances of finding an experienced, highly skilled web developer who is best suited for the job at hand.
Finding the right web designer can vastly improve the entire web development process. This article will provide an overview of some key questions to ask when hiring a web developer.
Take Your Time When Choosing a Web Developer
Vetting web design companies is an important task that should not be taken lightly. It is essential to take the time to ask the right questions and assess their skills, experience, and qualifications before making a decision to hire. This process can help determine if the candidate will be a good fit for the job and ensure they have the necessary abilities to produce quality work.
It is also important to consider how well their personality meshes with your team, as working with someone who has different values or goals may lead to difficulties down the line during the development of your new website.
It's also beneficial to understand how much support they are willing to provide after project completion, as ongoing maintenance and updates may be required. Asking these types of questions during the vetting process can help reduce future frustrations and guarantee a successful collaboration.
Vetting Your Web Developer
- What is your experience developing websites?
When asking web developers about their experience developing websites, it's important to inquire about their specific skills and areas of expertise.
For example, a developer may have extensive experience in building e-commerce websites or creating custom WordPress themes. You may want to ask about their proficiency with web development languages and frameworks such as HTML, CSS, JavaScript, React, or Angular.
It's also valuable to ask about their approach to problem-solving and how they stay current with industry developments.
- Have you worked on projects in my industry?
When evaluating a web developer for a project, it's natural to wonder if they have experience in your industry. By asking this question, you can get a sense of the developer's familiarity with your business needs and target audience.
A developer who has worked on projects in your industry will likely have a better understanding of your goals and challenges.
Even if the developer hasn't worked on projects in your industry, that doesn't mean you should immediately disqualify them. They may still have the technical expertise and problem-solving skills to deliver a successful website.
- What’s your research process like?
A good developer will typically begin by gathering information about your business and your customers, as well as your competitors and industry trends. They may also conduct user research or review analytics data to identify pain points and areas for improvement.
From there, the developer will likely create user personas, wireframes, and prototypes to guide the design and development process. By asking about the developer's research process, you can ensure that they have a user-centered approach to web development.
- What results have you seen from websites you've worked on?
A good developer will be able to provide concrete examples of how they've improved website performance metrics, such as increasing traffic, reducing bounce rates, or improving conversion rates. They may also be able to provide case studies or testimonials from satisfied clients.
However, it's important to keep in mind that the results achieved by a website are dependent on many factors, including the industry, competition, and marketing efforts. So while the developer's past results can be a useful reference, they should not be the sole determining factor in your hiring decision.
- Can you give me references from your previous clients?
When evaluating a web developer for a project, it's important to ask for references from previous clients. This can help you gain insight into the developer's communication skills, work ethic, and overall performance.
A good developer will be happy to provide references and may even have testimonials or case studies to share.
When contacting references, it's important to ask specific questions about the developer's ability to meet deadlines, work collaboratively, and deliver quality work. You may also want to inquire about the client's overall satisfaction with the project and whether they would recommend the developer to others.
- Do you have a portfolio showing diverse projects?
A portfolio can give you an idea of the developer's skills, design aesthetic, and range of experience. It's important to look for a portfolio that includes diverse projects, showcasing the developer's ability to work with different industries, target audiences, and design styles. A portfolio that only shows a narrow range of projects may indicate a lack of versatility or creativity.
- Does your company do all the work or outsource?
It's important to inquire if they outsource any of their work. Outsourcing means that a third-party company or individual is hired to complete certain aspects of the project. This can impact the quality, cost, and timeliness of the final product.
Knowing whether a web development company outsources or not can help you determine the level of control they have over the project, as well as their ability to provide consistent quality and adhere to timelines.
Timeline and Cost for Website Development
- How long will my project take from start to finish?
Of course, it's important to ask how long your project will take. This will help you plan for the launch of your website or application and set expectations for delivery.
The timeline for web development projects can vary depending on the complexity of the project and the developer's workload. Factors such as design, development, testing, and deployment all contribute to the overall timeline.
It's important to work closely with the developer to ensure that the timeline is realistic and that progress is being made throughout the project. This will help to avoid delays and ensure that your project is delivered on time.
- Do you charge by milestone, hourly, or a fixed fee?
When talking to a web developer, it's important to inquire about their pricing structure. You should ask whether they charge by milestone, hourly, or a fixed fee. Understanding their pricing model can help you plan your budget and determine the best way to work with them.
It's important to get a clear understanding of their pricing structure upfront to avoid any surprises or misunderstandings later on.
- What is the end-to-end expected cost for a project like mine?
Discussing the expected end-to-end cost will help you determine if the developer's pricing is within your budget. The end-to-end cost includes all aspects of the project, from design and development to testing and deployment. The cost can vary depending on the complexity of the project, the technologies used, and the developer's experience. It's important to get a clear understanding of the expected cost upfront to avoid any surprises or misunderstandings later on.
- What is and isn't included in that price?
When discussing pricing with a web developer, it's important to ask what is and isn't included in the price they are quoting. This will help you understand the scope of the project and ensure that you don't encounter unexpected costs later on.
Some common items that may not be included in the price include hosting fees, domain registration, ongoing maintenance, and content creation. It's vital to clarify what is included in the price upfront to ensure that there are no misunderstandings later on.
This will help you budget accordingly and ensure that the final cost of the project is within your budget.
- How many pages will my website have for the proposed cost?
Discussing how many web pages will be included for the proposed cost will help you understand the scope of the project and ensure that you are getting what you need for the price you are paying.
The number of pages can vary depending on the complexity of the project and the goals of the website. It's important to work with the developer to ensure that the proposed number of pages will meet your needs and that they are within your budget.
The Web Development Process
- How will we communicate during the development process?
When discussing a web development project with a developer, it's important to ask how communication will be handled. Clear communication is essential to ensure that the project stays on track and that any issues or changes can be addressed in a timely manner.
The developer should be able to provide you with a clear communication plan, including the frequency and method of communication, such as email, phone, or video conferencing. It's important to establish expectations for communication upfront to ensure that everyone is on the same page and that the project progresses smoothly.
- What is the process of your web designer?
The design process is essential to creating an effective website that meets your goals and reflects your brand. A good web designer should be able to explain their design process in detail, including research, wireframing, prototyping, and testing.
They should also be able to show you examples of their previous work and discuss how they have approached similar projects in the past. It's important to work with a developer who has a design process that aligns with your needs and goals to ensure that you are satisfied with the final product.
- Do you offer both custom and template websites?
A custom website is built from scratch and tailored to your specific needs and requirements. A template website is built using pre-made templates and may be less expensive, but may not meet your exact needs.
It's important to understand the differences between custom and template websites and determine which option is best for your project. A good web developer should be able to explain the pros and cons of each option and help you determine the best approach for your specific needs and budget.
- How many revisions do I get before incurring additional costs?
Revisions are essential to ensuring that the project meets your needs and goals, but too many revisions can delay the project and increase costs. A good web developer should be able to explain their revision policy and provide a clear understanding of how many revisions are included in the cost.
They should also be transparent about any additional costs that may be incurred for additional revisions. It's important to establish expectations for revisions upfront to ensure that the project progresses smoothly and stays within your budget.
- Do you offer services other than web design?
When speaking with a web developer, it's important to ask whether they offer services other than web design. Some web developers may offer additional services such as web hosting, search engine optimization (SEO), and website maintenance.
Working with a developer who offers a range of services can be beneficial as they can provide a more comprehensive solution for your online needs. It's important to discuss the scope of the project and determine which services are required to achieve your goals.
The Website Content
- What do you need from me before we start the project?
Before starting the project, the web developer will need a clear understanding of your goals and requirements for the website. This includes information such as the website's purpose, target audience, and desired features. They will also need access to any existing branding guidelines or assets such as logos or images.
Web design companies may need access to your domain name and hosting account if you already have them set up. It's important to provide the developer with as much information as possible upfront to ensure that the project progresses smoothly.
- Who will write the copy for the website?
The copy for the website can be written by either the client or the web developer. Some clients may prefer to write the copy themselves to ensure that it reflects their brand's voice and tone.
However, many web developers offer copywriting services and can create effective and engaging copy that meets the client's needs.
- Who will provide the images for the website?
Some clients may have existing images that they would like to use, while others may need new images created specifically for the website. Web developers may also have access to stock photography or have a photographer on staff who can take photos for the website.
It's important to discuss the image requirements with the web developer and determine the best approach for your project.
- Can you bring over content from a previous site?
Web developers can typically bring over content from a previous site if the content is still relevant and appropriate for the new website. However, it's important to discuss this with the web developer and determine whether any updates or revisions are necessary to ensure that the content aligns with the new website's goals and requirements.
The developer may also need access to the previous website's content management system or other relevant tools to facilitate the content transfer process.
Technical Aspects
- What programs and software will you be using?
The programs and software used by web developers can vary depending on the project's requirements and the developer's preferences.
Commonly used software includes text editors, integrated development environments (IDEs), and design tools such as Adobe Photoshop or Sketch. The developer may also use web development frameworks such as React or Angular and content management systems such as WordPress or Drupal.
- Can I choose the content management system, or will you?
Some web developers may have a preferred content management system (CMS) that they work with, while others may be willing to work with the client's preferred CMS. It's important to discuss the CMS options with the web developer and determine the best approach for your project.
The chosen CMS should meet your needs and be easy to use and manage. Additionally, the developer should be able to provide support and maintenance for the chosen CMS.
- Can you build an eCommerce site?
The development process for an eCommerce site can be more complex than a standard website and may require additional features such as shopping carts, payment hubs, and product catalogs. If the developer you're working with has only built information sites for roofers and dentists who are at most hoping that someone will fill out a web form, that's not enough.
A full eCommerce website requires extensive knowledge of the most recent internet security and protocols. It's important to work with a developer that has experience building eCommerce systems and can provide a secure and reliable platform for your online store.
- What testing and quality control happens before launch?
Before launching the website, the web developer should conduct thorough testing and quality control to ensure that the website is free of bugs and errors. This can include testing for functionality, compatibility with different browsers and devices, and security.
The developer should also conduct user testing to ensure that the website is easy to use and meets the user's needs. It's important to work with a developer who has a comprehensive testing and quality control process to ensure that the website launches smoothly.
- Who will handle hosting?
Web hosting can be handled by either the client or the web developer. Some developers may offer hosting services as part of their package, while others may require the client to set up their own hosting account.
It's important to discuss the hosting options with the web developer and determine the best approach for your project. The chosen hosting provider should be reliable, secure, and able to support the website's requirements.
Security and Optimization
- Is my website secure?
Website security is a crucial aspect of web development. A good web developer should take steps to ensure that the website is secure, including using SSL certificates, implementing strong password policies, and keeping software up to date.
The developer should also be knowledgeable about common security threats and be able to take steps to mitigate them. It's important to discuss website security with the web developer and ensure that they have a comprehensive plan in place to keep your website secure.
- Are your designs responsive on all devices?
Responsive web design is essential to ensure that the website looks and functions properly on all devices, including desktops, tablets, and mobile devices. A good high-end website developer should have experience designing responsive websites and be able to provide examples of their previous work. It's important to discuss responsive design with the developer and ensure that they are using modern design practices to create a website that is optimized for all devices.
- Will my website be ADA-accessible?
ADA accessibility is important to ensure that the website can be used by people with disabilities. A good web developer should be knowledgeable about ADA compliance guidelines and be able to implement them in the website design.
This may include using alternative text for images, ensuring that the website is navigable by keyboard, and providing closed captions for videos. It's important to discuss ADA accessibility with the developer and ensure that they are taking steps to make the website accessible to all users.
Similarly, HIPAA compliance is a must if your website will be handling any medical data. Make sure that your developer has experience creating HIPAA-compliant websites.
- What does your SEO strategy look like?
Search engine optimization (SEO) is important to ensure that the website is visible and ranks well in search engine results. A good web developer should be knowledgeable about SEO best practices and be able to optimize the website accordingly for search engines.
This may include keyword research, on-page optimization, and building quality backlinks. It's important to discuss SEO solutions with the developer and ensure that they have a comprehensive plan in place to optimize the website for search engines.
- How will you optimize my website for page speed?
Page speed is important to ensure that the website loads quickly and efficiently. A good web developer should be knowledgeable about page speed optimization techniques, including image optimization, caching, and minimizing code.
It's important to discuss page speed optimization with the developer and ensure that they are taking steps to optimize the website for fast loading times. This will help to improve the user experience and ensure that the website performs well in search engine results.
Post-Launch
- Will I be able to make edits on my own?
Most web developers will provide clients with the ability to make edits and updates to their websites using content management systems. It's important to discuss this with the web developer and determine whether this option is available. If so, the developer should provide training and support to ensure that the client can effectively use the CMS to make updates and edits.
- What training do you offer my team?
Training is important to ensure that the client's team is able to effectively manage the website and its content. A good web developer should provide comprehensive training and support to ensure that the client's team is comfortable using the website and any related tools or software.
- Do I own the site and its contents?
It's important to clarify ownership of the website and its contents upfront. Generally, the client should own the website and all of its contents, including text, images, and multimedia. If that's not the case, you'll want to know. Either way, it's important that you get it in writing.
- Will you integrate my marketing strategies?
Marketing strategies can be integrated into the website design to improve visibility and engagement. A web developer may be able to provide advice and guidance on how to integrate marketing strategies into the website design, including SEO, social media integration, and lead generation.
It's important to discuss marketing strategies with the web developer and ensure that they have the expertise and resources to effectively integrate these strategies into the website design.
- Do you have a content marketing package?
Some web developers may offer content marketing packages to provide ongoing content creation and optimization services. If so, the developer should provide a clear understanding of what is included in the package and how it can benefit the client's online presence.
- Who is responsible for upkeep/maintenance?
Website upkeep and maintenance are important to ensure that the website is functioning properly and remains up to date. It's important to discuss this with the web developer and determine who will be responsible for ongoing upkeep and maintenance.
This may include updates to software and plugins, security monitoring, and backups. It's important to work with a developer who has a comprehensive maintenance plan in place to ensure that the website remains secure and up to date.