You need a website. You’ve been putting it off for a while now, but it’s time. You want to get your small business online. Or maybe you need to update your existing site.

What’s next?

One of the most important steps you need to take is to find and hire a web developer. Your website is the first impression your potential clients will get about your business. That’s why it’s so important to hire the right web developer to help you build your online presence.

But where do you start? What do you look for? How do you hire a web developer?

I’ve put together 12 tips to help you find and hire a web developer.

1. Understand What You Want

When you’re looking to hire a web developer, it’s essential to know what you want before you start your search.

Ask yourself what you want your website to do and what you want it to look like. What are your goals for the website, and how does it fit into your overall business plan?

The more you know about what you want, the easier it will be to find a web developer who can help you turn your vision into a reality.

2. Look for a Specialist

When looking for a web developer, you should look for a specialist in the type of web development you need. Web development is a broad term that encompasses various types of web development.

Some developers specialize in building websites for small businesses, while others may specialize in e-commerce websites. Some developers may specialize in building web applications, while others may specialize in building mobile-responsive websites.

When looking for a web developer, you should look for someone who has experience in the type of web development you need. For example, if you need an e-commerce website built, you should look for a web developer who has experience building e-commerce websites.

3. Check Their Portfolio

A web developer’s portfolio is a collection of their work. It’s a good way to see what they’re capable of and to get a sense of their personal style.

When you’re looking at a developer’s portfolio, consider the following:

• Do you like their work? This is the most important question to ask yourself. If you don’t like what you see, move on to the next candidate.

• Do they have experience with the type of website you want? For example, if you want an e-commerce site, look for examples of e-commerce websites in their portfolio. 

• Do they have experience working with businesses like yours? If you have a law firm, for example, it’s helpful to see that they’ve worked with other law firms. It's also beneficial to consider if they have experience with emerging technologies like blockchain intelligence, especially if your business is exploring or utilizing these advanced tools for data security and transparency.

• Do they have experience with the platforms or technologies you want to use? If you want a WordPress website, make sure they have experience working with WordPress.

• Do they have experience with the specific features you want on your website? For example, if you want a website with a blog, make sure they have experience building blogs.

• Do they have any case studies or testimonials? Case studies and testimonials can give you a sense of the developer’s process and what it’s like to work with them.

4. Ask for References

When you’re hiring a web developer, you should treat the process the same as if you were hiring any other type of employee. That means asking for references.

You want to know that the web developer has a track record of success and that they have a good reputation. The best way to find this out is to ask for references and then actually call those references.

You should ask for references about the web developer’s skills, work ethic, and how they are to work with. If the web developer is hesitant to provide you with references, that’s a red flag and you should consider moving on to another candidate.

5. Interview Them

After you have a list of potential web developers, you should interview them. This will give you an idea of how they communicate and how they work.

You can schedule interviews over the phone or in person. If you’re working with a web development agency, you may be able to schedule a video conference with the team that will be working on your project.

During the interview, you should ask the web developer about their experience, their process, and how they communicate with clients. You should also ask to see examples of their previous work and take a web developer test.

6. Give Them a Test Project

The best way to find out if a web developer is a good fit for your company is to give them a test project. 

This will give you a chance to see how they work, how they communicate, and what their deliverables look like. It will also give the web developer a chance to get a feel for your company and what you need.

You can pay them for the test project, or you can ask them to do it for free. If you choose the latter, make sure it is a small project that won’t take up too much of their time.

7. Know What to Ask

To find the right web developer, you need to ask the right questions. That means you need to know what you’re looking for. The first step is to understand the scope of your project and what skills are required to complete it.

You should also consider the following questions:

• What is your experience with web development?

• What is your experience with similar projects?

• What is your preferred development process?

• What is your availability?

• What is your preferred method of communication?

• What is your pricing structure?

Remember, you’re looking for someone to help you build your business. Don’t be afraid to ask tough questions. A good web developer will be happy to answer them.

8. Check Their Online Presence

A web developer’s online presence can tell you a lot about their skills and professionalism. Check out their website, blog, and social media profiles to see how they present themselves online.

If you like what you see, that’s a good sign. If not, you may want to keep looking. After all, if they can’t market themselves effectively online, how can you trust them to do the same for your business?

9. Make Sure They Know the Latest Trends

Web development is a fast-paced industry, and what was popular just a few months ago may be outdated today.

Make sure the developer you hire is up-to-date on the latest news (for example, Google’s March 2024 spam update) , trends, and technologies.

If you want a modern, cutting-edge website, you need a developer who knows what’s hot right now.

Ask them about the latest trends in web development and see how they respond.

If they’re on top of their game, they should be able to talk your ear off about things like PWAs, voice search, and blockchain.

10. Check Their Soft Skills

Soft skills are just as important as technical abilities. A web developer could have years of experience and a long list of successful projects, but if they can’t communicate with you properly, they’re going to be a nightmare to work with.

Before you hire a web developer, check their soft skills. This includes their communication skills, their ability to work in a team, their work ethic, their problem-solving skills, their creativity, and their ability to handle criticism.

The best way to check a web developer’s soft skills is to simply ask. You can also ask to see examples of their soft skills in action, such as how they handled a difficult client (i.e., their customer relationship management strategy) or how they solved a complex problem.

11. Discuss the Project

Once you’ve found a few developers that you’re interested in working with, it’s time to start discussing your project.

Most developers will want to know what your goals are, what the design of the website should look like, what features you want to include, and any other details that are important to you.

This is your opportunity to make sure that the developer understands your vision and that you are both on the same page.

12. Don’t Go for the Cheapest One

We all love a good deal, but the cheapest web developer isn’t always the best option. If they’re offering their services for a fraction of the price, you may end up with a website that you’re not happy with.

Instead, focus on finding a web developer who can work within your budget. Be clear about how much you can spend and ask them to let you know what they can do for that price. This can help you avoid any surprises later on.

Conclusion

Hiring a web developer is a big step for your business. You want to make sure you find the right person for the job. By following the tips above, you’ll be well on your way to hiring a web developer who can help you grow your business.