Hiring a web developer can feel like stepping into a world of jargon and guesswork — especially if you’re not technical yourself. Whether you’re launching a startup, redesigning your business website, or building a simple landing page, asking the right questions can save you a lot of stress, money, and wasted time.
Here are some important, human-friendly questions to ask before hiring a developer — plus why they matter.
1. Can I see examples of your previous work?
This helps you evaluate their style, attention to detail, and actual capabilities. If they’ve built something similar to what you need, that’s a great sign. Ask for links or even short walkthroughs.
Pro Tip: Look beyond pretty designs. Click around. Is the site fast? Is it responsive on mobile?
2. What technologies do you use — and why?
You’re not expected to be an expert, but it’s good to know why they use certain tools. Are they using React, Vue, or plain HTML/CSS? Do they build custom backends with Node.js or use platforms like Firebase?
The answer helps you spot whether they’re choosing tools based on your project’s needs — or just what they’re comfortable with.
3. Do you also handle design, or should I hire a designer separately?
Some developers do both frontend and design, but not all. Clarifying this early avoids gaps later. If they’re not a designer, ask if they can work with one or need you to provide designs.
4. How do you usually communicate during a project?
Clear communication can make or break a project. Do they use email? Slack? Do they provide updates every few days? Will you get to review work as it progresses?
Look for developers who explain things in plain language, not just tech-speak.
5. What’s included in the price — and what’s extra?
Always clarify what’s part of the quoted price:
- Number of pages/screens
- Revisions
- Deployment (launching the site live)
- Ongoing maintenance or support
Avoid scope creep — or unexpected charges — by getting this clear in writing.
6. How do you handle bugs or post-launch issues?
Even great developers sometimes miss a bug. Ask how they handle fixes after launch. Many offer a buffer period (e.g., 2 weeks of free bug fixing). Some offer paid maintenance if you need ongoing help.
7. What happens if I need to scale or change things later?
Good developers build with the future in mind. You want code that’s easy to update, scale, or hand off. Ask if they write documentation or can hand over clean files if you ever need someone else to step in.
8. Can you explain your process — start to finish?
This gives you a full view of how they work:
- Do they gather requirements first?
- Share wireframes or mockups?
- Send staging links before going live?
A clear process usually means they’ve done this before — and that’s a good thing.
Bonus: Red Flags to Watch For
- 🚩 Vague answers or refusal to show past work
- 🚩 Promising too much for too little ($200 for a full e-commerce site? Probably not real.)
- 🚩 Poor communication or slow replies
- 🚩 No clear timeline or deliverables
Final Thoughts
You don’t need to be a tech expert to hire a great developer — you just need to know what to ask. A good developer will not only answer these questions clearly but appreciate that you’re thinking ahead.
At Digiblankcanvas, we’ve worked with over 100 clients around the world, and we’re always happy to walk through our process in plain language. If you’ve got a project in mind, feel free to reach out — or stick around and read more blog posts to learn the ropes.
Thanks for reading! 🙌
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