Hiring a website developer is a bit like hiring a contractor — the difference between a good one and a bad one usually isn't obvious until months in, when you're stuck with a site that's hard to update, doesn't rank, or simply breaks. Here's what I'd tell a friend before they hire anyone, developer included.
1. Ask to see live, working examples
Screenshots can be edited. A real portfolio should let you click through to actual working websites — ideally ones close to your industry or project type. If a developer can only show static images, that's worth asking about directly.
2. Get the project scope in writing
Before any work starts, you should know exactly how many pages are included, what features are covered, how many rounds of revisions you get, and what counts as "extra" work. Vague scopes lead to vague results — and awkward conversations about pricing later.
3. Pay attention to how they communicate before you hire them
If a developer is slow to respond or vague when answering your questions during the sales conversation, that pattern rarely improves once you've paid. Clear, prompt communication upfront is a good sign of what the working relationship will actually be like.
The way someone answers your questions before the contract is usually exactly how they'll communicate after it.
4. Confirm you'll own the code
Ask directly whether you'll receive full ownership of the source code and design files once the project is paid for and complete. Some agencies quietly retain rights or lock you into their own hosting — that should be clear from the start, not discovered later.
5. Ask how they handle SEO and mobile responsiveness
These shouldn't be add-ons you have to request specifically — they should be part of how the site is built from the first line of code. A developer who treats SEO and responsive design as standard, not optional extras, is usually building things the right way.
Red flags worth taking seriously
- No live examples of past work, only images
- Pressure to pay the full amount upfront with no milestone structure
- Vague or evasive answers about timeline and scope
- No clear process for revisions or handling change requests
Trust is built before the project starts
A good working relationship with a developer starts with a clear conversation, a written scope, and a straightforward answer to every question you ask. That's the standard I try to hold every project to at Hk Coder Lab — you should know exactly what you're getting before you commit to anything.
