Hiring a freelance website developer can be a great way to get a custom-built site tailored to your business’s needs, without the overhead of an agency. But not all freelancers provide the same level of quality. Some are highly skilled professionals, while others may leave you with a poorly functioning website. To ensure you’re hiring the right developer, it’s essential to ask the right questions during the vetting process.
With more than 10 years of experience as a website developer, I have developed a keen eye for well-built products from top-tier developers, as well as the red flags of an inexperienced coder. Any external links provided in this post are products I genuinely recommend; I do not receive any compensation from these providers.
Here is how I recommend finding and evaluating a freelance web developer.
References & Reputation
A strong developer should have satisfied clients who are willing to vouch for their work. References from past projects should be provided, and it’s important to follow up. Were deadlines met? Was the final product as expected? Did the developer communicate effectively?
If direct references aren’t available, independent reviews on platforms like Upwork, Fiverr, or LinkedIn provide valuable insight. Testimonials on their website can be helpful, but external reviews offer a more reliable perspective.
Portfolio & Past Work
A freelancer’s portfolio is often the best indicator of their skill level and style. Reviewing websites they have built helps assess their expertise. Key elements to look for include:
- Design aesthetics and user experience
- Mobile responsiveness
- Loading speed
- Functionality (e.g., forms, e-commerce, design features)
Platforms & Tools Used
Understanding a developer’s expertise in different platforms is crucial. Hard-coded sites may look just as nice as ones built on WordPress, but they are very difficult for non-developers to update down the road. And even within platforms such as WordPress, the tools used to build the site have an astounding range of design and functionality options. I recommend a fully customizable and user-friendly WordPress theme such as Avada. (Reach out if you’d like a list of my highly vetted plugins and other WordPress tools.)
- Are custom-code solutions provided, or do they primarily work with templates?
- If the developer uses templates, how will they ensure your website reflects your unique brand identity?
- Will the website be easy to update in the future without a developer’s help?
Pricing & Cost Transparency
Website development pricing varies widely, and a higher price does not guarantee a better product. Some freelancers charge a flat fee per project, while others work hourly. Clarify the following in advance:
- Total cost and any potential hidden fees
- Services included in the price (hosting, domain setup, plugins, etc.)
- High-quality hosting (I recommend Flywheel) costs upwards of $35/month.
- Additional costs, if any, for rounds of edits to the site prior to publishing
- Ongoing costs for future maintenance. Most WordPress maintenance (outside of adding new content or making design changes) involves updating the site’s themes and plugins. This should always be done on a staging site first, to ensure the updates don’t break the site. Typically, these edits take less than 10 minutes per month, yet many developers charge hundreds of dollars this service. They are counting on you to overestimate the time and expertise required to perform these updates.
Many developers require an upfront deposit (typically 10-50%), with the remaining costs due at specific milestones, such as reaching a certain percentage of completion.
Ownership of the Final Website
Ensuring that full ownership of the website and its content is retained is critical. Before signing a contract, details should be clarified:
- Full access to the website’s backend
- Ownership of the domain name and hosting account
- Ability to switch developers in the future without restrictions. (Some freelancers retain control over hosting or essential site files, or hard-code a website, making it difficult to transition later.)
In the contract, it’s common to see a clause stating that full rights to the final product are granted upon receipt of the total payment. This ensures that the developer is fairly compensated for their work.
Turnaround Time & Milestones
A clear timeline helps avoid miscommunication. Important factors to consider include:
- Project duration and estimated delivery date
- Milestone check-ins and deliverables
- Consequences if deadlines are not met
A detailed schedule outlining drafts, revisions, and final delivery keeps both parties accountable. Clients should also consider their responsibilities and the time they can dedicate to the project—often, a freelancer cannot complete the work (and therefore cannot be fully compensated) until the client provides necessary feedback or materials, such as photos.
Edits and Revisions
No website is perfect on the first try. Contracts should specify:
- The number of rounds of revisions included
- Types of changes covered (minor tweaks versus major redesigns)
- Cost for additional edits beyond the agreed scope
This prevents frustration when adjustments are needed after seeing the first version of the site. It also respects the developer’s time—they should not be expected to go back and forth multiple times changing the smallest pixel or hue. (To prevent this, the developer will likely work with you to determine a color palette in advance, if your brand does not already have one.)
Training for Internal Updates
If updates will be managed internally, guidance should be provided. Options to consider include:
- Training on how to use the platform
- Tutorials on how to edit content and make basic changes
- Written guides or recorded videos
- Availability for support after project completion
A reliable freelancer ensures clients know how to manage their website after handover. They may not offer all the options listed above, but any of them should work fine.
Communication Style & Availability
Technical skills are important, but so is clear communication. Ask about:
- Preferred communication methods (email, Slack, Zoom, etc.)
- Typical response times and availability
- Whether direct communication is with the developer or a team
For businesses requiring ongoing support, a developer’s availability should align with operational needs.
Performance Optimization
A website should not only look good but also perform well. Important considerations include:
- Basic SEO setup (meta tags, alt text, URL structure)
- Speed optimization (fast loading times, image compression)
- Mobile responsiveness
- Accessibility best practices (some industries and jurisdictions require accessibility by law)
If SEO is a priority, additional specialists may be required, but a good developer should at least implement foundational optimizations.
Security & Maintenance
Website security is crucial for protecting data and user information. Questions to clarify include:
- Security measures implemented to prevent hacking and malware
- Availability of ongoing maintenance and updates
- Actions taken if the site experiences issues post-launch
For CMS-based sites like WordPress, regular updates to plugins and themes are crucial to maintain security.
Final Thoughts
Finding the right freelance website developer takes time, but by asking the right questions, costly pitfalls can be avoided. A developer with strong references, relevant experience, and clear pricing is essential. Ensuring full ownership of the site and understanding what is included in the contract helps prevent issues down the line.
Your due diligence will result in a website that looks great and functions seamlessly for long-term business success.
If you have any questions about the information provided in this post, feel free to contact me.
