Before hiring a web developer, ask about the platform, SEO plan, who owns the site, what is included in the price, what happens after launch, and whether you get full admin access. The answers will tell you everything you need to know.
The Short Answer
Ask about the platform, SEO, ownership, what is included, post launch support, and access. If the developer cannot give you clear, direct answers to those six topics, keep looking.
Most bad web projects do not start with bad developers. They start with business owners who did not know what to ask. This guide gives you the exact questions so you can protect your investment and get a site that actually works.
I have rebuilt more websites than I can count because the first developer did not ask the client what the site needed to do. It looked nice. It did nothing.
A website is not a brochure. It is a sales tool. If your developer is not asking about your business goals, your customers, and how you plan to get traffic, they are building the wrong thing.
Ask the hard questions now or pay to fix everything later.
What Platform Are You Building On and Why?
This is the first question you should ask. WordPress, Shopify, Webflow, custom code, Wix, Squarespace, or something else. Each has trade offs.
The platform is not the problem. The problem is when a developer picks one because it is all they know, not because it is what your business needs.
Follow up questions:
- Why this platform over others?
- Can I edit the site myself after launch?
- Is the platform scalable as my business grows?
- What are the ongoing costs of this platform?
How Are You Handling SEO?
If the developer says "we can add SEO later," that is a red flag.
SEO is not a plugin you install after launch. It is built into the structure of the site from day one. Page titles, heading hierarchy, URL structure, internal linking, page speed, mobile optimization, sitemap, robots.txt, schema markup.
Questions to ask:
- Will you create SEO friendly URLs?
- Will each page have proper title tags and meta descriptions?
- Will you set up Google Analytics and Search Console?
- Will the site have a sitemap?
- Will images be optimized for speed?
- Will the site be mobile friendly?
If they cannot answer these clearly, they are not thinking about how your site will actually get found.
Who Owns the Website?
This one catches a lot of business owners off guard.
You need to own your domain, hosting, website admin access, analytics accounts, and any tools connected to the site. If the developer controls all of that, you are locked in.
Ask specifically:
- Will I own the domain?
- Will I have admin access to the hosting?
- Will I receive login credentials for everything?
- Can I move the site to a different host if needed?
- Do I own the design and code?
If the answer to any of those is no, reconsider.
What Is Included in the Price?
Get this in writing. A vague quote leads to a vague result.
Make sure you know exactly what you are getting:
- Number of pages
- Custom design or template
- Content writing
- Image sourcing and optimization
- SEO setup
- Mobile responsiveness
- Contact forms and integrations
- Speed optimization
- Analytics and tracking setup
- Number of revisions
If it is not in the scope document, assume it is not included.
Not Sure What Your Website Actually Needs?
Talk to Devebyte. We will review your situation and tell you exactly what you need before you spend a dollar.
Get a Free Strategy CallWhat Happens After Launch?
A lot of developers disappear after the site goes live. That is when problems start.
You need to know:
- Is there a warranty period?
- Who handles updates and security patches?
- What if something breaks?
- Is there a monthly maintenance plan?
- How do I request content changes?
- What is the response time for support?
A good developer plans for what happens after launch, not just before.
Can I See Live Examples of Your Work?
Not screenshots. Not mockups. Live websites.
Check those sites yourself:
- Are they fast?
- Do they work on mobile?
- Do they rank for anything?
- Do the forms actually work?
- Is the content clear and professional?
If a developer cannot show you real, working websites they have built, that tells you something.
What Is Your Process?
A professional developer should have a clear process:
- Discovery call to understand your business
- Scope document with deliverables
- Design phase with approval checkpoints
- Development with progress updates
- Testing across devices
- Launch with training
- Post launch support
If they cannot explain their process, they are winging it.
The Bottom Line
Hiring a web developer is not about finding the cheapest option or the flashiest portfolio. It is about finding someone who understands your business, plans for SEO and growth, gives you full ownership, and has a clear process from start to finish.
Ask these questions before you sign. The answers will protect you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Get a Straight Answer
Before you hire a web developer, talk to Devebyte. We will tell you what your site actually needs and what it should cost.
Book a Free Strategy Call