The right developer builds a site that brings enquiries for years. The wrong one leaves you with a slow site you cannot edit. Ask these questions before you hire.
Questions about their work
- Can I see websites you built for businesses like mine, and are they still live?
- Can I speak to one or two past clients?
- Who will actually build my site?
Questions about the project
- Exactly which pages and features are included?
- Is content writing, image editing and product upload included?
- How many rounds of changes are included?
- What is the timeline, and what do you need from me?
Questions about ownership
- Will the domain, hosting and website be in my name?
- Will I get admin access and all logins?
- Do I own the design and content once paid?
Questions about quality
- How will you test it on mobile phones?
- How fast will it load?
- What SEO setup and tracking is included?
- If you are replacing my old site, how will you keep my Google rankings?
Questions about support
- What happens if something breaks after launch?
- Will you train me to edit the site?
- What does ongoing maintenance cost?
Red flags
- No written scope or quote.
- Refusing to put accounts in your name.
- Very low prices with no clear list of work.
- No portfolio of live, working sites.
Get a price estimate first with our website cost calculator.
Want the full picture? This article is part of Business websites: the complete guide, our in-depth guide with everything in one place.
